Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.”
–Washington Irving
“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
–Luke 2:7 (NKJV)
———————–
With all of the movies out there, and the commotion that will soon be on the rooftops, perhaps a little history lesson might be in order for Christmas. The way we hear people bickering about Christmas; maybe if we knew a little more about some of the symbols we might not get so upset. A word of caution is always necessary though–use discretion and do not avoid the truth. Growing up I really didn’t give too much thought to Santa Claus, one reason being that we didn’t have a chimney, only a stovepipe, and I never could in my wildest imagination picture someone with the girth of Santa making it down that stovepipe, not to mention flying reindeer or making it around the world to every house in one night. It just wasn’t sensible or logical in my mind, but there is something to the person/legend of that man in the red suit.
According to tradition, Nicholas was born in the ancient Lycian seaport city of Patara, and, when young, he traveled to Palestine and Egypt. He became bishop of Myra soon after returning to Lycia. While in that position he was placed in prison under the Roman emperor Diocletian, but was released under Constantine. He was an attendee of the first Council of Nicaea (323). After his death he was buried in his church at Myra, and by the sixth century his shrine was well known. The remains of Nicholas were stolen in 1807 by Italian sailors and merchants took them to Bari, Italy. This will add to his popularity in Europe and Bari became one of the most crowded pilgrimage centers. The relics of Nicholas remain enshrined in the 11th century basilica of San Nicola, Bari.
Good ol’ St. Nik, or properly, Nicholas. He was know for his generosity, kindness, and miracles, especially to those who were poor. He gave marriage dowries of gold to poverty-stricken girls who would have gone into prostitution. He is said to have restored life to three children who were butchered and put in a brine tub. He became the patron saint of Russia and Greece and many organizations, and who said that man in the red suit was only a myth?
The Dutch brought the idea of their version of St. Nik to New Amsterdam in the early days of the American colonies. This man was known as Sinterklass. Sinterklass was in turn adopted by the colonies’ English-speaking people under the name of Santa Claus and his legend was then tied into the Nordic folktales of a magician who punished naughty children and rewarded good children with presents.
We could add the stories of a certain Kris Kringle, but most of our ideas today come from the writings of Clement Moore. In 1822, he wrote a story for his family, “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” From then on Santa was the stuff of legends and was enhanced by the drawings and advertisements by Thomas Nast and Haddon Sundblom. And we must not, cannot forget the infamous letter that indeed, “Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus,” and even the court system recognized him in “A Miracle of 34th Street.” Personally, I will never forget the Christmas when my Grandpa Jones, a rather rotund man, dressed as Santa Claus and passed out presents to all of the family. Oh, and by the way, the red and white suit came from St. Nicholas.
In all of this remember that Santa, Kris, or Nik all represent the spirit of giving. They give presents as the wise men gave presents to the King of Kings. Giving is the important thing at Christmas. Remembering and knowing that this is the day we celebrate the greatest gift of the heavenly Father giving His Son. One more thing, notice that the Child was given to a family to nourish, nurture, and train. Family is vital to the Christmas story. I like what Burton Hillis wrote, “The best gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.”
So, from ol’ Ira and his family to yours — a very Merry Christmas!