Saint NIcholas

Nicholas is ones of the most recognized of Saints.  He was bishop of Myra in what is now southeastern Turkey.  Tradition has it that he was persecuted under the emperor Diocletian (last emperor to persecute Christians) and then a participant in the first ecumenical council called at Nicaea by Constantine, Diocletian's successor.

In the year 1087, Muslim troops overran the city of Myra and Nicholas's remains (relics) were translated (moved) to Bari in Italy.  Quickly, the cult of Saint Nicholas became as big in the western Church as in the East.  Today there are more than 400 churches named for him in England alone.

Nicholas is the patron of sailors, unmarried girls, merchants, pawnbrokers, pharmacists, and perfumiers!  These associations go back to stories from his life.  For example, he rescued some sailors who shipwrecked on the Turkish coast.  Likewise, his shrine in Bari gives off a myrrh-like fragrance, hence perfume makers venerate him.  But perhaps best know is the story of his rescue of three impoverished sisters who did not have money for dowry and, thus, faced the prospect of having to survive by prostitution.  Nicholas anonymously gave each a bag of gold, thus saving them.  That is why the pawnbroker's emblem is still three golden balls!

In the Low Countries of Europe Saint Nicholas's feast day was celebrated by giving gifts to children.  Later, Dutch protestants in New Amsterdam merged the figure of Nicholas with a Nordic folklore tradition about a magician who punished bad children and gave presents to good children.  And, voila, Santa Claus was born.

Sometimes I am asked by converts how to tell children they've been lied-to about the imaginary Santa.  I reply, no, don't fess up to lying, instead plead mistaken identity, assert in fact Saint Nicholas is real, lives in heaven, and inspires gift-giving, but must use proxies on earth -- like mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles, and friends -- to fulfil the mission of gift-giving he inspired.

In the long run, all of our giving reflects, and pales in significance to, God's supreme gift of Jesus to us at Christmas.