12/12/2023
When our kids were little, we had the same challenge that many of you did (or do) with your children around Christmas.
What do you do with Santa Claus? Do you tell your kids that Santa is real but then feel like you’re lying? Do you tell them he’s not real, but then they’re confused by what all the other kids say?
Well, for us, we decided we would teach our children the historical facts about St. Nicholas who was the child of wealthy parents back in the third century. His parents died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. He grew up as a devout Christian and took literally Jesus’ words to sell all that you have and give to the poor. He became known throughout the land for his generosity in giving gifts to children in need, and hence began the tradition of Santa Claus, which is a derivative of Sinterklaas, a dialectical pronunciation of St. Nicholas. So, we taught our children that St. Nicholas was a follower of Jesus and gave gifts to children in need, and we should do the same. Our kids got it, and they weren’t scarred for life, because we never told them that Santa Claus was bringing them presents if they were good little boys and girl.
Our problem was in how to respond to Christian parents who did teach their children that Santa Claus was real and was going to bring their children gifts if they were good. We wanted to be respectful, so we told our children not to lie if they were asked if they “believe in Santa Claus,” but they didn’t have to get into arguments with their schoolmates either.
All that sounded good until one Christmas, when our oldest was probably four or five, and he was talking to a friend. We had a small group meeting that night, and Will, our son, was in the other room playing with his friend. Right in the middle of our group meeting, Will’s friend came bursting into our room, crying at the top of his lungs. He came right to his mom and dad and yelled out, “Santa’s dead! Santa’s dead!” Apparently Will told his young friend that Santa Claus, a.k.a St. Nicholas, is dead, and that he died many centuries ago. And let’s just say that didn’t go over very well with this kid’s parents who looked at us like we totally ruined the psyche of their son!
However you approach the issue of Santa Claus, the story of St. Nicholas is quite compelling. The facts are clear: an orphan inherits the wealth of his family, becomes a follower of Jesus, and decides to give his fortune away to help impoverished children.
My question is, Why? When so many others faced with similar life circumstances choose a different path of pursuing selfish desires, why would this young orphan decide to give his wealth away to help others? The only plausible answer is that his life was changed. When he encountered Jesus Christ, he discovered that his life was not his own. His resources belonged to Another, and he simply stewarded those resources based on the instructions of the Owner.
Nicholas captured the true meaning of Christmas that God gave His one and only Son. “That though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9, ESV).
My prayer for all of us this Christmas season is that we, like Nicholas, will encounter Jesus, and experience the joy of giving so that others may receive the joy of living. “See that you excel in this act of grace also” (2 Corinthians 8:7, ESV).
One practical way to share “this act of grace” with others is to participate in our E91 Hope Store. For details, go to www.DreamList.com/of/hope2023.
