Today we celebrate a saint that has a great deal of legend attached to his name. Born in the 4th century, St. Nicholas of Myra (in modern day Turkey) was none other than a pious and holy man who was even a bit excessive in his acts of penitence and penitential practices. He was a kind and generous man - who was quick to share what he had with others. He was known for miracles. But most of all he was known for being a learned man and a defender of the faith in the time of Diocletian. He was present at the Council of Nicea which condemned Arianism (which attacked the divinity of Christ).
The legend of St. Nicholas as Santa Claus was mostly in invention of a particular place and a particular time for a particular purpose. It developed in the Low Countries of Europe, spread to Holland and then came to North America. There was a need for the “spirit of giving,” the “spirit of love,” the “spirit of the miraculous,” at the beginning of the Middle Ages. And St. Nicholas fit the bill as one who could be associated with that task.
And so his worldwide task of rewarding virtue began, which comes down to our very day! Now, however, we associate his work with a purely mythical figure called Santa Claus who makes his appearance on Christmas Eve - the night when the greatest gift of all was given: God’s only begotten Son, for the salvation of the world!
Our readings today speak of bringing the word of love, the word of life, the word of hope to the whole world - thus bringing glad tidings to the poor and the proclamation of liberty to captives. Jesus told the disciples to go and announce the arrival of the Kingdom of God on earth - which was him! There is no greater gift than this! We, with St. Nicholas and Santa Claus are called to make the same announcement in all of our words and deeds: IN JESUS there is love, there is life, there is light, there is hope! Go to Jesus! Receive him! Share him with others! What a truly awesome task this is!
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