View from the pew: The Difference Between St. Nicholas and Santa Claus
By Robert Fontana
December 6 is the Feast of St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra (in modern day Turkey). He had a reputation for secretly giving gifts to people in need, which led to the rise among pious Christians of the figure of Santa Claus (Sinterklaas (Dutch: [ˌsɪntərˈklaːs]) or Sint-Nicolaas – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas).
Lori and I decided when our children were small to make the Feast of St. Nicholas a special day for them so that they would understand the Christian figure behind the Santa Claus story. We are continuing that custom with the grandchildren. On St. Nicholas Day morning, they will be opening their Christmas stockings, each containing a book, a candy treat, and an orange. For the grands who live above us, we’ll have breakfast together with an ice cream pie as the main dish!
Here’s a reflection on the difference between St. Nicholas and Santa Claus, followed by a prayer service that families (with or without children) or friends can do to honor St. Nicholas, disciple of Jesus, and friend of the poor.
- Santa wants your credit card; Nicholas wants your heart.
- Santa will turn you into a consumer; Nicholas will help you be a servant.
- Santa is a whimsical tale of a fat old elf who gives toys to boys and girls who have been good; St. Nicholas helped children escape from poverty and slavery.
- Santa reminds us to give presents; Nicholas reminds us to give ourselves.
- Santa is controlled by the department store; Nicholas was led by the Spirit.
- Santa is a man dressed in a costume; Nicholas was a Bishop who cared for his people.
Santa reminds us to follow the Christmas sales; Nicholas reminds us to follow Jesus.- Santa promises us happiness through gift-giving; Nicholas reminds us that happiness is the fruit of a faithful life.
- Santa is a fun story to read to children at Christmas Eve; Nicholas was a man of great compassion who sold his possessions and gave the money to the poor so that he could do God’s will in perfect freedom.
- Santa has nothing to do with Jesus the God-Man whose birth is celebrated on Christmas Day. Nicholas’ life only makes sense because of his love and commitment to Jesus the God-Man whose birth is celebrated on Christmas Day.
A Prayer Service for the Feast of St. Nicholas, Adapted by Robert Fontana from a prayer service by Thomas G. Simons from the St. Nicholas Center.
Call To Worship
Leader: Praise God for St. Nicholas!
Children: Yea St. Nicholas!
Leader: The Spirit of the Lord was upon him.
Children: Yea St. Nicholas!
Leader: Loving God, St. Nicholas loved Jesus, and because he loved Jesus he loved children and the poor. We honor his memory today and in doing so hope to imitate his kindness and love.
Children: St. Nicholas, pray for us. Amen!
Word Service – 1 Peter 5.1–4
The following summary of the life of St. Nicholas may be read and discussed.
St. Nicholas was born to Christian parents. Legends recount the story of Nicholas’ baptism when his parents brought him to the sacred fount; he leapt from his mother’s arms into the Baptismal waters. After the death of his parents, he gave away his inheritance to the poor of Myra, and dedicated himself to serve his people first as a priest and later as a bishop.
Bishop Nicholas preached the Gospel in a Roman culture still dominated by Greek and Roman religious customs and moral behavior. He organized Churched, taught the Catholic faith, and invited non-Christians to join the community of faith. He is most remembered as a helper to the poor and to children. Once Bishop Nicholas heard that a father was struggling to feed his three daughters. He did not have the money for a marriage dowry, and was considering selling them off into slavery so they would at least have something to eat. On three occasions, Bishop Nicholas threw a bag of gold through the window into the room of the sleeping father. His daughters soon were married. Later the father came to Nicholas, fell at his feet and said, “Nicholas, you are my helper.”
This story and his many other works of charity led to the tradition of giving presents on the Feast of St. Nicholas and at Christmas. The name Santa Claus, in fact, evolved from his name.
Bishop Nicholas proclaimed the Gospel, baptized new Christians, feed the hungry and poor, and taught the truths of Christianity. He died at Myra in 350 A.D. His popularity, already great, increased when his bones were brought to Italy in 1087. Both the Eastern and Western churches honor him. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of Russia, Greece, and Sicily. He is regarded as the special patron of children. His feast is December 6.
Intercessions
Reader: For the gift of each person here.
All: We give thanks.
Reader: For the many material blessings that we have received and can share with those in need.
All: We give thanks.
Reader: For a holiday season of joy, hope, and peace.
All: We give thanks.
Blessing Prayer
Leader: Gracious and good Lord, we bless you on this feast of St. Nicholas, your servant, who is an example to us of a life of charity and love.
All: Help us to imitate his good deeds.
Leader: Make us always mindful of the needs of others and help us rejoice in the abundance of your goodness around us. We ask this through Jesus our Lord.
All: Amen.
Our Father…
Share a special treat or exchange small gifts, if desired.
