BY Christian Freed
Well, friends, here we are. That special time of year when the magic of food, family, and fellowship fills the world. For a time, we can forget the harsh realities flooding our devices and vying for our attention. The air is electric with the sounds of carols, the aroma of baking cookies and the glitter and sparkle of Christmas. Whether you celebrate or not, there is no denying that this time of year brings out the best in us all.
Soon, it will be Christmas Eve when children around the world are hustled off to sleep in anticipation of a visit from the big guy from the North Pole. Their dreams fill with presents and surprises even as they attempt to stay awake as long as possible just to get a glimpse of that famous red suit or hear the jolly ho-ho-ho swirling around the tree.
But who is Santa Claus, really? The answer is more interesting than you might expect.
Nicholas of Myra was born in the tiny village of Patara, Turkey — which was part of Greece at the time — in the year 270. Born to wealthy parents, Nicholas was raised to be a devout Christian. He was still quite young when an epidemic claimed both of his parents.
Rather than succumb to grief and feel sorry for himself, Nicholas tightened his sandal straps and decided to make the most of his life. He took the words of Jesus to heart and “sold what he owned and gave the money to the poor.” So began a long life dedicated to giving back to the community and helping the needy, the sick, and the suffering.
Nicholas joined the clergy and quickly rose through the ranks to become a Christian bishop. Stories of his generosity spread. He became known for protecting children, sailors and merchants, victims of injustice, and the poor. The Roman Emperor Diocletian, however, harbored disdain for Christianity and condemned Nicholas to some time behind bars before exiling him. Ironically enough, Diocletian imprisoned so many clergy there was no room in his prisons for actual criminals.
While much remains unclear about Nicholas of Myra, it is said that he was in attendance at the Council of Nicaea in 325. (You know, the one where bishops debated which books would go into the Bible and all that.) He also became known for his little acts of charity throughout the land.
Like every good legend, there are degrees of truth built into the persona we now know as Santa Claus. Several of the beloved traditions we share are rooted in actual deed. Poverty gripped much of the region during Nicholas’ time, and, like any good man of means, he is rumored to have gone to great lengths to help others. Dowries were customary back then and when he heard of young women whose families lacked enough for a proper dowry, he’d toss a bag of coins through an open window or, to more extreme measures, climb atop roofs and drop coins down chimneys. Sound familiar?
It is even rumored that three such gifts actually landed in shoes or stockings sitting by the hearth to dry. Once word spread, children in every village began leaving their shoes and stockings next to their fireplaces in the hopes of becoming the next beneficiary of Nicholas’ generosity. So, it became known that Nicholas was a true gift-giver.
Nicholas’ reputation extended well beyond his passing. This is, in fact, how venerated individuals, including Jesus’ disciples, became saints before formal canonization procedures existed. Sailors, for instance, honored Nicholas as their benevolent patron in coastal communities throughout the world, dedicating churches and chapels to him in seaports and major river stops. As Nicholas became widely recognized and revered, his popularity spread until he was gradually established as a saint everywhere. Unlike saints who were martyred for their faith in times of persecution, Nicholas was an example of how to live, rather than how to die.
The first known story of how Saint Nicholas came to be the protector of children comes from Myra. Villagers were said to have been celebrating Saint Nicholas on the eve of his feast day when they were raided by Arab pirates from nearby Crete. After robbing old Saint Nick’s church, the pirates decided to make off with Basilios, a young boy. Legend has it Saint Nicholas appeared and whisked the boy away from the pirates, delivering him safely back to his parents. Flash forward 1,700 years, and the story of Saint Nick delivering on the hopes and dreams of children around the world has evolved and grown.
The Basilica of Saint Nicholas in Bari, Italy, holds Mass every year on December 6, the Feast of Saint Nicholas. Inside the impressive church dominating the skyline of the southern Italian town are said to be the bones of the blessed saint. They have rested there for almost one thousand years and continue to sanctify the faithful with his presence.
The Church also tells us about the “manna” of Saint Nicholas, a miraculous liquid being secreted by the sacred bones. Monks collect this manna each May to mix with holy water. They bottle it for pilgrims as a medicinal relic. While scientists and researchers may be at odds with the actual truth about the substance, there is no denying the power of legend as we imagine Saint Nicholas preparing for his midnight ride on Christmas Eve.
There is something intrinsically valuable in carrying on traditions. It gives us a sense of unified community. That little reminder that all can be right in the world if we have enough faith. I don’t know about you, but the thought of Santa watching over us every single day, then zipping across the skies to bring joy to others once a year, is a comfort to keep the cold from seeping in.
Santa Claus might have been born Nicholas of Myra, but he has since become so much more. He might not have started out wearing the red suit or devouring cookies and milk, but the legend that started on the shores of the Mediterranean almost two thousand years ago is ingrained in our world. With the elves and loyal reindeer who have been by his side for centuries, Santa is the annual promise of a brighter tomorrow and the gift that keeps on giving through the generations.
Don’t take my word for it though. Even our federal government believes. When Christmas rolls around, go ahead and pull up the NORAD Santa Tracker provided by the North American Aerospace Defense Command. This joint operation between the United States and Canada has been following jolly Saint Nick’s adventures since 1955. The site not only tracks Santa but has fun and games for the entire family throughout the month of December. Just make sure the children are all tucked away for the night before he reaches Holly Springs. We wouldn’t want to have him fly past your house by mistake.
To learn more about the man behind the red suit, check outstnicholascenter.org/who-is-st-nicholas and definitely follow Santa’s flight using NORAD’s Santa Tracker: noradsanta.org/en/.
