How nice. Christmas is coming. Another year has passed. It’s time to draw conclusions and set new goals for the coming year. Like “buckling down more at college”, “trying to do everything I do with more enthusiasm, with more interest”, and for those of us who believe in God, “trying to find Him, to find His message, in our everyday work”, for example.
But let’s talk about the title of the post: Christmas. For some, it’s a barbecue with loved ones. It’s a moment of celebration — not exactly sure of what — but we have a great time with close family, friends, and significant others.
Those who know a bit more are aware that it celebrates the day of Jesus’ birth. The Gospel says nothing about this date, so where did it come from? There are many theories on the subject, but the most widespread is undoubtedly the one claiming that this day actually belonged to a pagan celebration. I remember a professor telling this (but not as a theory, rather as something free of error, or at least that’s how it seemed to me) to his students. He was against the Church, so this story seemed to give him more confidence in his belief that it’s all a sham.
Anyway, in that pagan celebration, “the day of the birth of the unconquered Sun,” the victory of light over the longest night of the year was celebrated. So it’s thought that the Church Fathers of the time drew a parallel with the birth of Jesus Christ and biblical expressions like “sun of justice” or “light of the world.” In any case, there is no proof that all of this actually happened that way.
Where did that chubby bearded guy who brings us gifts and dresses in red and white come from? From the world of advertising. I don’t think it would have been very “convenient” to have placed, in his stead, Saint Nicholas of Bari, the saint whom this chubby fellow tries to imitate. Saint Nicholas of Bari was born in the year 310 AD, in a time of persecution, when teaching the doctrine of Jesus meant being against the Roman Empire. If we read his biography, we can see that there are some stories about this saint that closely match Santa Claus: like the chimney and stockings, the red color of his clothing (since he was bishop of Myra, Turkey), the “Ho, Ho, Ho” that implies joy with children, and the long white beard.
The image we know today of the classic Santa Claus was modified by the German immigrant newly arrived in New York, the Protestant Thomas Nast, who illustrated him for “Harper’s” weekly in 1864, showing him with the red suit, boots, a big bag of toys, and entering through a chimney.
Because he is one of the first saints of our Church, his name has been modified over the centuries from the Saxon word Saint Nickleaus to Santa Claus.
More about Saint Nicholas of Bari.
This is a time of year when everyone sends us their wishes for peace and happiness. Those of us who are believers eagerly await the birth of the only Savior, Jesus Christ. We wish for Him to be born in our hearts and fill us with His spirit. For those who don’t believe, it might be beneficial during this season not only to celebrate “something,” but also to deepen the knowledge of oneself, with complete objectivity, in order to change what can be changed, and try to become better people each day.
I’m wrapping up the post: I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! May we truly let the Lord be born in our hearts, and may He help us take out all the garbage and fill them with His peace.