David Mills sees in Santa Claus a confusion of two things “that ought never to be confused or blended,” Christmas as a secular holiday and Christmas as a Christian holy day. To honor that distinction, he would abandon to the secular side of Christmas what amounts to the most famous icon of Saint Nicholas, because the secular side has defaced it. It has painted over his features to make them over into something more in its own image, the figure we now know as Santa Claus. Even the name has been painted over, although thinly. Is there anyone who really needs to be reminded what the etymology of Santa Claus is?
I say let’s scrape the paint off and take the icon back. Let’s restore it.
Maybe my loyalty to my patron saint predisposes me to see him in Santa Claus when other people no longer do. I love Saint Nicholas. He used to be venerated more than he is. It’s been said that in medieval art he shows up more often than any other saint except Mary.
Where did he go? Think about it. In our time, is there a saint whose image is more common than that of Santa Claus? Mary again, as in the Middle Ages, is the only one you could plausibly argue outranks him in that category.
There is something about Saint Nicholas that makes people want to depict him. In a post-Christian society, he’s made to wear a secular disguise. So let’s remove it and substitute the man for the myth, the historical reality for the fictional character. Let’s say to the “modern literalist,” as C. S. Lewis called him, “Of course you’re right about Santa Claus. What an unconvincing portrait of the man it was once supposed to represent. Here’s a better one.”
When I was a child, I loved both my uncle and Santa Claus, who came to visit me every Christmas Eve at my grandmother’s house. And I loved both of them more, my uncle and Santa Claus, when I learned that the latter was a character whose portrayal the former poured his soul into for my benefit.
If the world can suck the true meaning out of Nicholas’s image, why shouldn’t Christians try to breathe it back in? Because it’s too hard? Because the corruption of the image is too far gone? Saint Nicholas, you were stouthearted in your life here on earth. Pray for us, that we be stouthearted now on your behalf. The pope in the seventh century consecrated the Pantheon when it didn’t even have any explicitly Christian history. Santa Claus does. He needs to be reconsecrated.
The campaign to resist the secularization of Christmas is already well established. The campaign to resist the secularization of Saint Nicholas is not. Have I found my cause?
December 29th, 2010 | 12:07 pm
Santa Claus, St. Nick, is a legitimate saint of our churches, it seems. Why? It seems to me that this Saint was a kind of expression of the essence of Christmas … and the core Christianity.
The idea of an invisible eye, that sees our sins – or knows that we are naughty or nice – and that comes on Christmas, to reward or punish us, can be seen as a variation of the basic outline of Christianity, itself.
December 29th, 2010 | 12:46 pm
As a Greek Catholic, I have to say that St. Nicholas is a big deal for us–out patron saint whose feast on 6 December is in many ways more iconically “Christmas” than the Feast of the Nativity, which is joyous but also more sober than is the case with the Western Church. Traditonally, gifts are exchanged on St. Nicholas Day, not Nativity (though in this country, that distinction has grown a bit blurry).
That Pascha (Easter) is for us by far the Feast of Feasts that overshadows the Nativity perhaps keeps us maintain our balance. So, too, the liturgical richness and spiritual importance of the Feast of the Theophany (Epiphany) on 6 January (which for us marks the Baptism in the Jordan, and not the Visitation of the Magi).
Then there is the Nativity Fast that begins on 14 (the Feast of St. Philip (14 November) and lasts until the Eve of the Nativity (24 December), which has the natural effect of dampening excessive pre-Festal celebrations.
December 29th, 2010 | 1:06 pm
[...] Reconsecrating Santa Claus – Nicholas Frankovich, First Thoughts [...]
December 29th, 2010 | 4:03 pm
Dear Nicholas:
Since you referred to me by name, I thought I’d comment.
My legal name is Santa Claus, and I’m a Christian Monk and consecrated Bishop, as St. Nicholas was many centuries ago. I believe that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ, not the crass, commercial, secular spectacle it has become in many places, and that the greatest gift one can give is love, not presents.
I also serve as a volunteer advocate for the millions of children in the U.S. annually who are abused, neglected, exploited, abandoned, homeless, and institutionalized through no fault of their own.
Personally, I’d like to see Santa Claus most closely aligned with the Feast of St. Nicholas. I think parents should volunteer at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter and bring their children along to instill or rekindle compassion for others.
It would be wonderful, as well, if parents would make a donation, in their child’s name, to a local charity that provides for the health, safety, and welfare of less fortunate children, and let their own child know that is their gift.
After all, it is the presence, not presents, that counts.
Blessings to all, Santa Claus
The Rt. Rev. Santa Claus, OAC
(TheSanta dot im)
December 29th, 2010 | 10:05 pm
I’m all for restoring St. Nicholas to his rightful place, but I’m not convinced that Santa Claus is such a dangerous disguise.
Yes, the elves, North Pole, all that is silly (if any children should stumble on this post, please be aware that this is an adults only discussion and ignore it), but I don’t think the central lessons of Nicholas’s life is lost in his role as Santa Claus.
I highly recommend the A & E “Biography of Santa Claus”, it goes into great detail about the life of the actual man. It is amazing to me that some of the traditions, esp. the stockings by the fire go back to the actual historical Saint, although they may indeed by myths.
I think this shows great staying power on the part of St. Nick, and like St. Valentine, I think he deserves respect for keeping his “brand” out there even in such a secular world.
I have tried to start a little tradition of sending gifts to my daughter and niece and nephew on St. Nicholas’s day, but sadly my job is so busy in December that I haven’t had much success with my plan.
Not so far, but next year I’ll try to remember this post and do better.
I like the other poster’s suggestion about doing some good works on that day too.
December 30th, 2010 | 10:48 am
As a young dad with young children, I have struggled to re-establish traditions that focus more closely on why we celebrate Christmas. I am exceedingly turned off by Santa Clause in his current form.
My question is a bit more practical for those trying to preserve/rediscover the “real” meaning of Christmas: what to do with well-intentioned Grandparents and/or siblings who get all into Santa Clause and go to great lengths to perpetuate the lie that he comes down the chimney etc. etc.?
December 30th, 2010 | 4:57 pm
St. Nicholas can actually help you focus on the real meaning of Christmas, CJG. When people understand that there is a real person of faith behind Santa Claus, it shifts focus. St. Nichlas lived his life in faithfulness to God–especially by caring for those in need.
Having small, simple surprises on St. Nicholas Day makes a bright spot in early Advent while providing the opportunity to talk about the real St. Nicholas.
When my children were growing up we had both St. Nicholas and Santa. However, Santa only filled stockings and other gifts were not from him, other than the odd small thing that might have gotten “Santa” written on the tag. We always talked about “. . . many days until Jesus’ birth” not “how many days until Santa comes.” It is all a question of how you place emphasis in your family. When children asked questions, I’d usually respond with, “what do you think?”
There is growing interest in recovering St. Nicholas. Many churches, families, and schools do celebrate St. Nicholas Day–with simple treats, charitable collections, and other good deeds. Do visit http://www.stnicholascenter.org for ideas for celebrating at home, church or school, as well as information, customs from around the world, and resources including recipes, books, crafts, activities and more.
Links
Blogs
Find Us
Contact