When my children were young, they would ask me, “Is Santa real?” and I would always say, “Santa is a real person.”
Most of us grew up knowing all about Santa Clause, but how did it all start and why did it start when Christmas is really about the birth of Jesus?
The legend of Santa Clause is traced back to a monk named St. Nicholas from what is now the country of Turkey. He was very kind and generous and gave away all his inherited wealth to those in need as he traveled around the countryside. His popularity spread and word of his kindness and generosity became well known and the idea of giving acts of kindness spread to other countries especially Holland.
Word of St. Nicholas and his benevolence came to New York City in 1773 by way of several Dutch families and the story was picked up by a newspaper. Eventually the name Santa Claus evolved from the Dutch name for St. Nicholas, Sinter Klass. Well, you know where it went from there. So, it started with something so pure and humble; a person with a big heart that truly cared about other’s more than himself, and became one of the biggest marketing strategies of all time. But you know what? I still feel many good things came from it because it started a new tradition of giving and acts of kindness at Christmas time when we celebrate the ultimate gift, the birth of Jesus. I’ve told my grandchildren we give gifts to each other for Jesus’ birthday.
Without God in the world, (well first of all there wouldn’t be a world) the kindness and love we know would not exist because, God is love. 1 John 4:8 New King James Version 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
Our God loved the world so much, that He goes and does something so far above all human imagination and understanding; He send His son to be born a human. Luke 1:26-38. That baby in the manger was more than a beautiful baby, He was the salvation of the world for those who would willingly accept this gift of grace offered through this baby, Jesus Christ.
God was the first Santa showing us through the birth of His son what it means to sacrificially give. We have been given an example of how to be a true Santa, a person who gives out of love and sacrifice, not expecting anything in return.
I love this song Thankful on Josh Groben’s Christmas Album, Noel. Thankful songwriters: Carole Bayer Sager, David W. Foster and Richard James page. Universal Music Publishing Group 2007
You can listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TEqgU4LpnA
This beautiful song embodies life and the spirit of Christmas we need to adopt. Please take time to listen.
Here are the lyrics to Thankful.
Somedays, we forget to look around us, somedays, we can’t see the joy that surrounds us. So caught up inside ourselves, we take when we should give.
Look beyond ourselves, there’s so much sorrow it’s way too late to say, I’ll cry tomorrow. Each of us must find the truth, we’re so long overdue.
Even in our differences there is a place we’re all connected. Each of us can find each other’s light.
Chorus: So, for tonight, we pray for what we know can be, and on this day, we hope for what we still can’t see, it’s up to us, to be the change and even though this world needs so much more, there’s so much to be thankful for.
Yes, God is the ultimate Santa for by the love he has poured into His creation, we are able to give of ourselves. We can be the Santa who looks around, finding the joy and the needs. We can look beyond ourselves to find the truth that’s so long overdue and find the light of Jesus that connects us all together in love. Santa is a real person! We are the Santa’s our families and communities need and we can pray for what we know can be and hope for what we cannot see. We can be the change and do it all from a grateful loving heart.
May we emulate God’s love and the actions of St. Nicholas in a world that’s becoming more manufactured and fake every day. We must keep Jesus as the reason for the season. We cannot let the world steal the love and meaning out of this sacred celebration. The question must be asked, are we portraying a marketing Santa or the original-the ultimate Santa, the Lord? What is our motivation? Are we giving from a thankful heart of love no matter the situations we are in at the time, or is our attitude; I hate giving gifts and going to parties, I just want to get this holiday over with?
So, will the real Santa in us, please step forward?
Prayer
Lord, you set the example for us all to follow. May we allow ourselves to accept the gift of love and grace you gave us through your son, Jesus Christ. Help us step forward with courage, faith and love to be the change the world needs starting with our families and our communities. May we always picture in our minds Santa holding the baby Jesus not taking his place, as we walk out yet another Christmas season and New Year. Thank you, Lord, for the precious gift of Christmas. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Merry Christmas & God Bless
Sally
