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Tuesday, December 06, 2005
The Legend of the Bearded One
Many parents of young children wonder about how to handle the "real" story of Santa Claus. I mean, who wants to tell their kids that Mommy and Daddy have been lying to them for the past few years, and flying reindeer are a figment of Halmark's imagination?
Several years ago, it became pretty clear that our time was running short- several of the boys' friends had found out, and it was time to spill the beans ourselves, rather than let them find out from kids who might be less kind ("What?!? You still believe in Santa? What a baby!!!" or something like that).
Using a long car trip as our opportunity to have a captive audience, the boys heard the story of St. Nicholas, who lived 1700 years ago. They heard about his love of God and his wondrous generosity. They listened intently, seemingly unaffected by this news. Unsure that they really understood what was being said, the question had to be asked.
"So, if Nicholas lived 1700 years ago, that would make him... what?"
"Really old."
"Uh... no." Let's try this again.
Finally, they got the hint that Nicholas was long dead and buried. Once that was out in the open. We asked the boys where all the presents came from, if not from Jolly Old St. Nick. Of course, they had no idea. That gave us an opportunity to talk about unconditional giving. Parents give to their children in secret, not for the thanks, but for the joy in their child's eyes. That's enough thanks for them. And then we talked about the responsibility that comes with this knowledge- to give to others with no thought of what you'll get in return; to count the many gifts we're given; and to "keep the secret" for the younger kids and anybody else who might still believe in Santa.
"Who else besides little kids believe in Santa?"
"Mugga." (That's my mom, btw)
"Oh, ok."
I thought they knew I was joking. A couple of days later, I heard them talking. "Now, remember, we can't tell Mugga, because it would make her sad if she knew about Santa."
Yeah, I've got good kids.
So... why the trip down Memory Lane? Today is St. Nicholas' feast day. Thought I'd take a moment to talk about the man who became the (loose) basis of Santa Claus.
So, how did we get from the good Bishop of Myra to the guy who lives at the North Pole and has a cookies and milk addiction? After Nicholas' death, his story was past down from generation to generation in the Catholic Church. He became known as the "giver of gifts." Although his feast day was December 6th, it began to be celebrated along with the Christkindl (Christ Child) on December 25th. He was (and still is) revered throughout Europe.
His story came to the United States with Dutch immigrants, who called him "Sinter Klass." Newspapers, reporting on the celebrations, refered to him as "St. A. Claus." In 1809, Washington Irving wrote about him, and Clement Clarke Moore wrote about him in great detail in in 1823 "A Visit From St. Nicholas." Thomas Nast illustrated him during the late 1800s, adding details like the "Naughty and Nice" list and the toyshop. His full commercialization came in 1931 with a Coca-Cola ad in the Saturday Evening Post.
But how does the Bishop really vary from the ad campaign? Well... it's all about remembering the Reason for the Season, I guess.
Several years ago, it became pretty clear that our time was running short- several of the boys' friends had found out, and it was time to spill the beans ourselves, rather than let them find out from kids who might be less kind ("What?!? You still believe in Santa? What a baby!!!" or something like that).
Using a long car trip as our opportunity to have a captive audience, the boys heard the story of St. Nicholas, who lived 1700 years ago. They heard about his love of God and his wondrous generosity. They listened intently, seemingly unaffected by this news. Unsure that they really understood what was being said, the question had to be asked.
"So, if Nicholas lived 1700 years ago, that would make him... what?"
"Really old."
"Uh... no." Let's try this again.
Finally, they got the hint that Nicholas was long dead and buried. Once that was out in the open. We asked the boys where all the presents came from, if not from Jolly Old St. Nick. Of course, they had no idea. That gave us an opportunity to talk about unconditional giving. Parents give to their children in secret, not for the thanks, but for the joy in their child's eyes. That's enough thanks for them. And then we talked about the responsibility that comes with this knowledge- to give to others with no thought of what you'll get in return; to count the many gifts we're given; and to "keep the secret" for the younger kids and anybody else who might still believe in Santa.
"Who else besides little kids believe in Santa?"
"Mugga." (That's my mom, btw)
"Oh, ok."
I thought they knew I was joking. A couple of days later, I heard them talking. "Now, remember, we can't tell Mugga, because it would make her sad if she knew about Santa."
Yeah, I've got good kids.
So... why the trip down Memory Lane? Today is St. Nicholas' feast day. Thought I'd take a moment to talk about the man who became the (loose) basis of Santa Claus.
The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in Patara, a village in what is now Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.Not bad, eh? There are many legends surrounding him. There is a story about him leaving dowries for a poor man's daughters so that they could marry instead of being sold into slavery. There is the story of how he calmed a storm at sea with prayer. There are tales of his generosity, how he always gave in secret, never expecting anything in return.
Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra.
So, how did we get from the good Bishop of Myra to the guy who lives at the North Pole and has a cookies and milk addiction? After Nicholas' death, his story was past down from generation to generation in the Catholic Church. He became known as the "giver of gifts." Although his feast day was December 6th, it began to be celebrated along with the Christkindl (Christ Child) on December 25th. He was (and still is) revered throughout Europe.
His story came to the United States with Dutch immigrants, who called him "Sinter Klass." Newspapers, reporting on the celebrations, refered to him as "St. A. Claus." In 1809, Washington Irving wrote about him, and Clement Clarke Moore wrote about him in great detail in in 1823 "A Visit From St. Nicholas." Thomas Nast illustrated him during the late 1800s, adding details like the "Naughty and Nice" list and the toyshop. His full commercialization came in 1931 with a Coca-Cola ad in the Saturday Evening Post.
But how does the Bishop really vary from the ad campaign? Well... it's all about remembering the Reason for the Season, I guess.
Santa Claus belongs to childhood;
St. Nicholas models for all of life.
Santa Claus, as we know him, developed to boost Christmas sales—the commercial Christmas message;
St. Nicholas told the story of Christ and peace, goodwill toward all—the hope-filled Christmas message.
Santa Claus encourages consumption;
St. Nicholas encourages compassion.
Santa Claus appears each year to be seen and heard for a short time;
St. Nicholas is part of the communion of saints, surrounding us always with prayer and example.
Santa Claus flies through the air—from the North Pole;
St. Nicholas walked the earth—caring for those in need.
Santa Claus, for some, replaces the Babe of Bethlehem;
St. Nicholas, for all, points to the Babe of Bethlehem.
Santa Claus isn't bad;
St. Nicholas is just better.
