BLOG POST | Hey Deacon!

Who is Santa and what is his connection to Christmas?

The name Santa Claus is the English form of the Dutch name for St. Nicholas Sinterklaas. Though the modern Santa Claus is associated with a world of fantasy, the historical St. Nicholas was a godly man known for his charity and generosity.

Nicholas was born around 280 AD to wealthy Christian parents in Patara, Asia Minor, a harbor city in modern-day Turkey.  He later became the bishop of Myra. Nicholas died about 343 on or near December 6.  It is probable that Nicholas and his parents could trace their spiritual heritage to the Apostle Paul, who stopped in Patara on his third missionary in the first century.

Nicholas’ parents were devout believers who had long prayed for a child. When Nicholas was born, they devoted him to God. As an only child, he was raised with great affection and special attention.  When Nicholas was a teenager, a plague struck his city and both of his parents died.  He was left with a large inheritance and decided that he would use it to honor God.

Nicholas developed such a good reputation in his region that he was chosen as Archbishop of Myra when he was in his early 20s, an indication that he must have demonstrated wisdom and maturity beyond his years.  There are many stories about Nicholas’ life that emphasize his kindness and generosity.  A few years after his death on December 6, a tradition of gift-giving began in his honor.

St. Nicholas Day is still observed on December 6 in many countries, but in America and in others, the practices associated with the day were combined with Christmas. It seemed natural to many Christians that a holiday celebrating giving would merge with the birth of Christ, the greatest gift ever given to the world.  However, many Christian leaders thought that St. Nicholas drew too much attention away from Christ. (Sound familiar?)  In Germany, parents were encouraged to teach their children that the Christ Child was the gift-giver. The name Kriss Kringle is the English form of the German name for “Christ Child.” Ironically, in America the name Kriss Kringle came to be used synonymously with St. Nicholas, St. Nick, Santa Claus, and even the English name Father Christmas.

So how did St. Nicholas evolve into the Santa that we know today? Santa’s white beard and red suit are actually quite similar to the bishop’s vestments worn by the Dutch Sinterklaas. But the “chubby and plump” appearance of America’s Santa Claus is generally traced to the 19th-century poem, “Twas The Night Before Christmas”.

”The beauty of our American Santa Claus is that his roots come from a historical person, St. Nicholas, who was truly a servant of Christ. The fact that American children are surrounded by images of Santa Claus during the Christmas season means that there are many opportunities to discuss the real St. Nicholas, a man whose life should inspire us to more fully serve God.

By the example of St. Nicholas, may we be the “Santas” that help others see the reality of Christ.




Author Bio:
Deacon Dan Vaughn