LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

 

Sadly, I have often heard religious people criticize "Ole Saint Nick" as being a pagan influence in the celebration of Christmas. Doubtless they have no idea what they're saying. If they honestly knew the spiritual significance of the man they belittle, they would instead pay their debt of honor and respect, "Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." Romans 13:7

 

Truly, "Jesus is the reason for the season," but there are other honorable examples of Christian virtue that we would do well to acquaint ourselves with, simply to broaden our narrow spiritual horizons. Since Saint Paul said, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1)," it would bless our stingy hearts to learn some tiny details about a godly Church Father who lived two hundred years after Saint John wrote the Revelation.

 

Besides Saint Paul and Saint Peter, one of the greatest examples of a "Christ follower" is Saint Nicholas (not to mention Saint Valentine who must wait till February to share his noble testimony, or Saint Patrick who we honor in March).

 

Dear Saint Nicholas was the Bishop of Myra - a town in modern Turkey. As defined in 1 Timothy 3:2 (KJV), a bishop was the head of a church like a priest, preacher, pastor, minister, or reverend. Myra's shepherd, Nicholas, was so dedicated to his profession of faith that he went to prison in 325 AD for refusing to deny his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. During the five-year persecution of Emperor Diocletian, the old man endured cruel torture in Roman chains but remained true, all the way through.

 

After performing notable miracles in his jail cell, Nicholas was eventually released from prison to be reinstated as Myra's bishop (pastor/priest). May we be able to do as well in the coming days, imitating dedicated men like Saint Nicholas as our Christian example (1 Corinthians 11:1).

 

While serving as God's steward of Myra, Nicholas was famous for his kind generosity to children, sailors, and any desperate individual who needed help.

 

Probably the most famous deed Saint Nicholas ever performed was when he secretly gave three bags of gold to a destitute father who had no money for his daughters' dowries. Why was that gift so vitally important? In those days, girls who were too poor to afford a dowry for marriage were often sold into prostitution.

 

Confronted by Saint Nicholas's godly life, some thoughtless individual might carelessly equivocate regarding their earlier criticism, "I was talking instead about Santa Claus!"

 

But let's put that erroneous misnomer to rest, once and for all. Santa Claus is the English pronunciation of the Dutch name "Sinterklaas," for Saint Nicholas who died December 6, 343 AD. Since the death of Saint Nicholas occurred in the same month as the observance for Jesus's birth, we use December to remember the godly example of a devout follower of Christ, along with Christmas

 

So, let's try harder to appreciate good Saint Nicholas by giving respect to whom respect is due and honor to whom honor is due. I assure you, Christ will in His Kingdom, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord." Matthew 25:21

 

Merry Christmas!

Edwin Woolsey, Willow Springs