Flanked on both sides by a brightly lit reindeer, the sign centered in my front yard proudly proclaims that Jesus Is The Reason For The Season. While some passing by might think we’re sending mixed signals—the declaration of the Savior and decorations associated with Santa—I think it’s possible to focus all the fun and festivities of Christmas as a statement and celebration of faith. The jolly, jiggly man we see dressed in red and white today might seem more at home in the mall than beside the manger, but the story of Santa is rooted in the faith-filled life of a man who gave what he had and who he was for Jesus Christ.
The real Saint Nick was born in southern Turkey during the third century after Christ and was orphaned when he was young. His parents left their son much gold and a love for God, and Nicholas became known for his rich generosity and kindness. While many stories of his charity endure, one repeated in three ancient accounts and differing only in details tells of how Nicholas aided an impoverished family in a desperate situation. With no money for his daughters’ dowries (and therefore no prospects of decent marriages), the father thought he would be forced to sell his girls into slavery—or worse. But Nicholas, upon hearing of the maidens’ plight, came secretly at night and tossed a bag of gold through an open window. Some versions say the coins landed in a stocking left by the fire to dry; others say they landed in a shoe. Either way, his gift resulted in a grateful father, happy daughters, and the delightful tradition of having “stockings hung by the chimney with care,” or, if you live in Europe, shoes left by the door.
Nicholas’ gift transformed the lives of its recipients. It meant that the daughters could now live in love instead of fear and in intimacy instead of isolation. Instead of being property, they would be protected, and in the place of desperation, they would find delight—all because the gift made a way for them to have a right relationship. Sounds a lot like another gift. This Gift has transformed the life of His recipients. Because of Him, we now live in love instead of fear and in intimacy instead of isolation. In Him, we are valued, protected, and treasured, and through our right relationship with Him, we find our deepest delight. Perhaps St. Nick was onto something after all.
Christmas isn’t about Santa; it’s about Jesus, but when you see pictures, decorations, and imitations of jolly old St. Nicholas, smile and let them remind you that Nicholas didn’t just give; he gave because of God.
By the way, when I started this devotion, I didn’t know that the day I chose to write about St. Nick, December 6th, is the anniversary of his death. Under the persecution of the Roman emperor Diocletian, Nicholas suffered exile and imprisonment because of his faith in Christ. He continued to serve God’s people after his release, and died several years later. Pretty neat!
So don’t forget to hang your up stocking. You never know what might end up inside!
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