While whether or not he “sees you when you’re sleeping” and “knows when you’re awake” is still up for debate, Santa Claus is one of the most enduring images and characters of Christmas. We can all visualize his round face, white beard, and red outfit. Santa Claus might seem like the Christmas equivalent of the Easter Bunny in terms of the secularization of a Christian holiday, but that actually isn’t the case. Santa Claus has a deep and profoundly Christian history that’s almost as old as Christmas itself.
According to Catholic and Eastern Orthodox tradition, Saint Nicholas was a bishop of the ancient city of Myra, located in modern day Turkey. He lived during the 4th century, was alive when Constantine came to power in Rome, and might have even attended the first council of Nicaea—the same council from which the Nicene Creed originates.
Much like his Coca-Cola-wielding, Macy’s-Thanksgiving-Day-Parade-attending current self, the historical Saint Nicholas was known for his generosity and kindness, especially toward the poor and downtrodden in culture. One famous story about Saint Nicholas has him stealthily throwing gold coins into the home of a poor family so their three daughters could have dowries and get off the streets.
After the Protestant reformation, the protest-ant side of the schism ceased to celebrate Saint Nicholas with the notable exception of the Dutch, who referred to him as “Sinterklaas.” Dutch colonists would then take their celebration of Sinterklaas across the Atlantic, and the celebration of Santa Claus would eventually grow into what it is today.
What’s perhaps most fascinating about Saint Nicholas’s connection to Christmas is how his selflessness has infused our current celebrations with charity, generosity, and gift-giving. His acts of kindness almost two millennia ago have continued on as the traditions of gift-giving in our modern celebrations of Christmas. So maybe this year, when you give and receive gifts, you’ll think of Saint Nicholas, whose love for Jesus inspired him to be generous.
Conversation Starter: What’s something you like about Santa Claus? What’s something you think is weird?