"There is no Santa Claus..."

The “original” Santa Claus (derived from his original name, Saint Nicholas) was born March 15 270 and lived to age 73. Many of you know he had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and thus became the model for what we today know as “the spirit of Santa Claus”. Saint Nick’s reputation became well known among the faithful, as was common for early Christian saints.

 

We are all called to know Christ, remain in relationship with Him, and model in our daily lives as best we can by what He has taught us about this life. Over the next few days, as we give and receive presents, I know His is the only gift that matters. Since I believe that Christ was the perfect sacrifice for my (and your) imperfect life, and that His Holy Spirit dwells within me, it’s easy for me to also believe in the spirit of Santa Claus. I would expect it is because the Spirit is one in the same.

So to those of you who are quick to proclaim “there is no Santa Claus”, I’d think again. And to those of you who know this profound and everlasting truth, I know you will have a wonderful and meaningful Christmas!