Santa, Saint Nicholas, and Jesus

When I was a little girl I was very fortunate to have parents and relatives that went out of their way to insure that my sisters and I had a wonderful Christmas. At times I even had the generosity of a neighbor to spread a little more of the glorious gift giving! I LOVED Christmas! One memory I will never forget is the sweetness of our neighbor, Mr. Harris, dressing up as Santa. One of his visit I went with my dad to the door and caught a glimpse of "Santa's" car and wondered why he was driving Mr. Harris's car. I still didn't get it. So many fond memories of Santa, elves, family, gifts, food, church productions, and oh yeah, baby Jesus. Do you read this and feel like I just ya-da, ya-da Jesus? I do! I say this because I feel this sets the tone my heart was at, at the time these questions came to pass.
Have you ever wondered where the concept of Santa Clause came from, and why do we drive ourselves almost mad upholding a "little white lie" just so our children will continue to believe in his existence? It was about 8 yrs ago that I faced the reality that there was no Santa and that my children would not grow up with this tradition, though I so wanted it. My "ba-hum-bug" husband made the executive decision that it was a lie and that we were not going to participate in it. Of course, I couldn't go down without a fight and had to prove that this was a "once upon a time" truth and there was something to salvage from my childhood. This is where my adventure began...
I started my research on the history of Santa Claus and found nothing but disappointment. There was never was a real Santa Claus and the Santa we all know and love began as a cartoon drawing done by a Civil War cartoonist, Thomas Nast . He drew Santa Claus for the Harper's Weekly in 1862. The Santa then was drawn as a small elf-like figure who supported the Union. Nast continued drawing Santa for 30 years. Along the way he changed the color of Santa's coat from tan to the now traditional red. It was Nast's interpretation of St. Nick. Later in the 1920's Coca-Cola needed to convince people that their beverage wasn't just for those warm summer months, but that it was for all seasons. They connected the winter icon -Santa- with their drink and ran a few adds in the Saturday Evening Post. A few years later Coca-Cola hired an artist, Haddon Sundblom, to paint a few more advertisement for their campaign. Sundblom needed some inspiration and something that would connect with the people, so he turned to the Clement Clark Moore 1822 poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas" (commonly called "'Twas the Night Before Christmas"). For the next 33yrs Sundblom painted these beautiful, plump, jolly pictures of this friendly man we now know as our beloved Santa Claus.
After reading this information I came across a great children's book The Visit by Mark Kimball Moulton. It is the story behind the infamous poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas". I then proceeded to ask "How did this cartoon character come to life and become such a strong facet of our Christmas traditions?" This prompted me to look at the other acclaimed name, Saint Nicholas.
Upon my research into Saint Nicholas, I began to wonder why as a Christian I really didn't know anything about him. He was a real man who lived in the 4th century. There are many stories about him and his strong faith in Christ. I guess I just assumed he and "Santa Claus" were one in the same, but not so. Nicholas led a very difficult life as a child, grew up and through God given circumstances was chosen to become a bishop that eventually placed him in a position to lead Christians through a time of great persecution. He is remembered as a great saint, and on December 9, many celebrate and observe Saint Nicholas Day.
Now,on to Jesus. Please don't assume I say this with disrespect but I feel this sets the tone so many put him at. I grew up in the church and knew to always keep Jesus as, "The reason for the season". I've heard the story of His birth so many times that it had lost its "magic". I now understand why people have the need and longing for the feeling Santa Claus brings them. When I personally began to read the story for myself I began to see something that went beyond the Nativity set that sat on top my coffee table. This was truly a wonderfully quiet and humble beginning for such an AWESOME Lord. We as Christians were never told to observe this time nor to remember, yet somewhere in time we have taken it upon ourselves to make it a "commercialized outreach". Please don't take me wrong, I love this time of the year and all that comes with it. The more I read and gain knowledge of the time frame of His actual birth and the Jewish culture, it makes me sad to know how little I really understand this great God and all the hope that came on the very day He was born. It was a magical night with no gifts, no family visiting, no special dinner served, and no decorations for his "room". It was the lowly shepherds that came and left changed that night, with their hearts full of excitement and praise. In Luke 2:19 it says that as Mary listened to the story the shepherds shared with them, she kept those things in her heart and pondered them. How much she must have been taking in! So full of awe and wonder...the very thing we all long for on Christmas morning!
To pretend in a world of enchantment where reindeer fly and elves make toys can be fun, but to know a God who can give us and has given us more than our hearts can hold is amazing! Santa can't even compete! May this be the Christmas that truth is seen and felt in your heart and you too will be of great joy! Merry Christmas!!!