The Real Santa Claus
Most of the time, this is the picture that comes to mind when we think of Santa Claus {video clip}... Actually, the “REAL” Santa Claus looks like this {picture of Saint Nicholas}...
This is Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas was born 300 years after the birth of Jesus Christ. He was born to some wealthy parents in the city of Pantara (area of modern day Turkey) around 270 A.D. and lived until about 350 A.D. His parents raised him in the church but they suddenly died from a plague that struck the area when he was just five-years-old. It was then that Nicholas went to live with his uncle who happened to be a monk. Through his uncle’s influence, Nicholas became a monk also. Since monks are not to be wealthy, Nicholas wanted to use his inheritance to help people. His life of giving is what gave way to the legend that we have today in Santa Claus. You see the Dutch who settled in the early days of New York called St. Nicholas - “Sinterklass” which is how got the name “Santa Claus.” His royal red robe, white beard, and giving heart transformed into the American version that we have today.
This morning, I want to show 3 of Saint Nicholas’ greatest biblical qualities that can help us remedy our thoughts about Santa Claus.
First, Saint Nicholas had a kind heart... Saint Nicholas LOVED people, especially children. Seeing their happy faces brought him great joy! Children would just flock to see him! Since he was a high church official, he would generate great fervor as he entered various places. Wherever Saint Nicholas went, he always had little gifts for the children. He’d give away candy, toys, and religious symbols to them! These surprised children would just beam with happiness because of his kindness. Saint Nicholas wanted to teach the children that it was more blessed to give than receive. It’s true isn’t it? Our lives are truly blessed when we can give to others and bring joy to their lives! The same joy we bring to others through acts of kindness will be returned to us somehow, some way. But it all starts from a heart of kindness.
There’s a story of a man who carried a small can of oil with him wherever he went. He wanted to go through life lubricating all the hard places and make it easier for those who came behind him. Whenever he came a cross a squeaky door, he poured some oil on the hinges. Whenever he came across a gate that was hard to open, he’d oil the latch. Whenever something was hard to crank, he’d squeeze some oil on the shafts. Lots of people thought it was very odd for him to do so and they made fun of him. They called him crazy, nuts, weird, strange, and silly. But the man went steadily on, refilling his can of oil whenever it got low so he could keep on oiling all the hard places that he came across. The great thing about him is that he didn’t wait to find a hard place and then go get his can of oil for he always had his can with him so he could oil it immediately. You and I could learn a great lesson from this man.
You and I come across lives that are in some pretty hard places at times. What better thing to do than to lubricate those parts of people’s lives with some oil of kindness, thoughtfulness, and gentleness! Yet we must never leave it at home, we must carry it with us WHEREVER we are so we can oil immediately! What does Colossians 3: 12 tell us? As God’s people, we’re to CLOTHE ourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. That way, we’ll always have it with us and ready to give away! And when we do, we’ll deeply touch other people’s lives! Just like Saint Nicholas, we must have a heart of kindness!
Secondly, Saint Nicholas had a generous heart... One time, Saint Nicholas heard that 3 young ladies could not get married because their father could not afford a dowry for all of them. The 3 daughters would have to be condemned to a life os singleness, slavery, or prostitution unless the father could afford a dowry for all of them. Saint Nicholas came up with a plan. As each daughter came of age for marriage, Saint Nicholas would secretly give a bag of gold coins to them under the cover of night (sound familiar?) in order to save each girl from a life of misery! If there was one thing he was committed to, it was giving in order to help others. He had all this money but instead of using for himself, he used it to benefit others. When it comes to us, can we say the same thing?
TRUE STORY: Pastor Eric Hulstrand tells the story of preaching in a church one time when an elderly lady fainted and struck her head on a pew. Because it looked serious, an ambulance was called as people quickly cared for her. The EMTs came in, quickly examined her, strapped her to a gurney, and was about to rush her out the door to the hospital! The elderly lady suddenly motioned her daughter to come near her. Everyone hushed and thought she summoning the strength to convey what could be her last words. As the daughter lovingly looked her in the eyes, this lady feebly reached in her purse and softly said, “Here’s my offering” and pulled out a tithing envelop with money in it! Man you talk about a committed to giving, THAT WAS COMMITTED TO GIVING!
Did you know that last Christmas, shoppers spent a whopping 31.7 BILLION DOLLARS! That’s a lot of money! Why not take a little of our Christmas money and give it to those who could really use it! One great thing we can do to benefit others is to give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. 100% of that money will go to people around the world that need help physically, emotionally, and spiritually! If we’ll serve others through this offering, we’ll actually be serving Christ. That’s what He tells us in Matthew 25: 35-40... If our hearts are truly filled with love for God then we’ll be generous towards others. That’s exactly the kind of heart that Saint Nicholas had.
Lastly, Saint Nicholas had a faithful heart... In his later teens Saint Nicholas knew he would become a priest because he had a dream of Jesus giving him the Gospels and priestly robes. After traveling to Myra, he found that the Bishop there had died of old age. The leading priests could not agree on who should become the next Bishop. As they prayed about it, God gave them a vision. The very first person who came to worship that morning at the temple was to become the next Bishop of Myra. Who just happened to be the very first worshiper at the temple? Saint Nicholas. When they shared their dreams with each other, Saint Nicholas overwhelmingly became the next Bishop of Myra. He became know for his devotion to the church, fire for the Lord, and for his deep preaching! Many people were converted and baptized under his leadership. This continued even when Saint Nicholas was arrested, tortured, chained, and thrown into prison for his faith in God! He most certainly was a man with a faithful heart!
Pastor Eric Hulstrand tells the story of preaching in a church one time when an elderly lady fainted and struck her head on a pew. Because it looked serious, an ambulance was called as people quickly cared for her. The EMTs came in, quickly examined her, strapped her to a gurney, and was about to rush her out the door to the hospital! The elderly lady suddenly motioned her daughter to come near her. Everyone hushed and thought she summoning the strength to convey what could be her last words. As the daughter lovingly looked her in the eyes, this lady feebly reached in her purse and softly said, “Here’s my offering” and pulled out a tithing envelop with money in it! Man you talk about a committed to giving, THAT WAS COMMITTED TO GIVING!
God is looking for Old Faithfuls Himself. He’s always looking out for those Christians who are dependable, reliable, and trustworthy. That’s what faithful means. And when God finds such people, He blesses them. Isn’t that what James tells us in James 1: 25... If you know God’s Word and live it out each day, God will bless your life! God has called us to faithful to Him, our families, and the church! Are you doing so? If you are then God will bless your life. He yearns to do so! God wants to bless every area of your life! But if you’re not faithful then you can’t expect God to be blessing your life! Why not do what He’s called you to do! If you will, God will bless you! That was Saint Nicholas’ heart and God tremendously blessed his life. If God did that for Him, He’ll do the same for you!
I’m here to tell you that Santa Claus is REAL! His name was Saint Nicholas! He had some great Biblical qualities that we can emulate in our own lives. That’s because...
• Saint Nicholas had a kind heart... Out of kindness, he gave gifts to people and touched their lives. As God’s people, we’re to CLOTHE ourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. That way, we’ll always have it with us and ready to give away! And when we do, we’ll deeply touch other people’s lives!
• Saint Nicholas had a generous heart... He used his money to help save some young ladies from a life of misery. One great thing we can do to benefit others is to give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. 100% of that money will go to people around the world that need help physically, emotionally, and spiritually! If we’ll serve others through this offering, we’ll actually be serving Christ.
• Saint Nicholas had a faithful heart... Even in the midst of severe persecution, Saint Nicholas was faithful to God! God is looking for Old Faithfuls Himself. If you know God’s Word and live it out each day, God will bless your life! God has called us to faithful to Him, our families, and the church! Are you doing so? If you are then God will bless your life.
If you think about it, Jesus had these same qualities in His life. And He is the reason for the season! I pray that we’ll take some time to remember why Jesus Christ came and to celebrate it this Christmas season. Let’s pray and thank Him for the impact He’s made on our lives...
