Remembering Saint Nicholas

The Lordship of Christ Over The Seasons

Introduction

In the past month, I've dedicated considerable time to contemplating the trajectory of this current season of life. The completion of Re-enchanting The Unseen and the joyous arrival of our second daughter marked a natural conclusion of my previous pursuits, particularly in delving into the strange side of re-enchantment. However, it also signified the commencement of a new chapter.

Although the initial impression was one of culmination, it has since dawned upon me that the vast expanse of my Re-enchanting Time project remains largely unfinished. Indeed, there is still much to cover regarding sacred timekeeping. But, in Lewisian fashion, the odyssey extends beyond the earthly confines. The celestial spheres and the seven heavens beckon, for within these ethereal realms, the stories of the great cloud of witnesses unfold, weaving threads into the intricate fabric of sacred timekeeping. The journey, therefore, encompasses not only the terrestrial but also the celestial, as we navigate the cosmic narratives that contribute to the profound tapestry of sacred reckonings.

Anticipate a forthcoming delve into the realms of sacred timekeeping, where the chronicles of saints and the resonance of both ancient and contemporary prayers shall unfold. My aim is to furnish readers with tools, both time-honored and novel, that facilitate active participation in the profound tapestry of these spiritual endeavors. Together, we shall embark on a journey that transcends the mere narration of tales; rather, it shall equip individuals with instruments for meaningful engagement in the sacred and the timeless.

Since the Feast of Saint Nicholas is coming up on December 6th, I thought this was as good a time as any to begin this odyssey.

The Life of Saint Nicholas

Saint Nicholas, hailing from the city of Patras in Turkey, entered the world on March 15th, 270 AD, into the esteemed lineage of Epiphanes and Johane. The story of his early years, as chronicled by Voraigne in The Golden Legend, portrays Nicholas as a child of both wealth and holiness.

Legend has it that during Nicholas’ baptism as an infant, he stood on his feet for three hours in the baptismal font in honor of the holy Trinity. What we do know is that Nicholas joyfully frequented church with his parents. Voraigne notes:

“He used and haunted gladly holy church, and all that he might understand of holy scripture he expected it in deed and work after his power.”

At a tender age, tragedy befell him when an epidemic claimed the lives of both of his parents. In this moment of bereavement, Nicholas heard the mystical voice of Jesus bidding him to "Sell what you own and give the money to the poor." Responding with unwavering devotion, he gave his entire inheritance to provide for the poor, the afflicted, and the needy.

The Golden Legend unveils a chapter in the saint's benevolence, centering on a poor neighbor with three daughters. The origin of the enduring tradition of stocking stuffers traces back to this legend. The father, honorable but devoid of means to endow his daughters with dowries, faced the societal challenge of securing suitable marriages. Nicholas, in a series of mysterious interventions, presented masses of gold wrapped in cloth on three separate occasions. These providential endowments flung through an open window, were said to roll in stockings left by the fire to dry.

Alternate renditions of the tale depict Nicholas presenting his neighbor with three golden balls rather than three masses of gold. This version serves as the origin point for the tradition of placing oranges in stockings. The oranges, metaphorically linked to the golden balls, symbolize the enduring impact of Saint Nicholas as a benevolent giver of gifts. This traditional practice echoes through time, connecting us to the profound generosity of the saint, and transforms a simple fruit into a meaningful reminder of his compassionate legacy.

Nicholas, divinely ordained by God, was destined to ascend to the esteemed position of Bishop of Myra, which he would fulfill later in life. Following the passing of the incumbent Bishop of Myra, a conclave of bishops convened to select a successor who would lead God’s people in authority. As chronicled by Voraigne in The Golden Legend, an unnamed bishop directed his fellow bishops to pray and fast.

In the sacred stillness of the night vigil, a celestial voice spoke to him. He was told at the hour of Matins (the morning prayer office), he was to arrive at the doors of the Church in Myra. The revelation foretold that the first man to approach those doors would bear the name Nicholas and would be the individual appointed by God to assume the mantle of Bishop of Myra. Voraigne's account captures this pivotal moment in the providential unfolding of Nicholas's destiny.

“And this was a marvelous thing, for at the hour of matins, like as he had been sent from God, Nicholas arose before all others. And the bishop took him when he had come and demanded of him his name. And he, which was simple as a dove, inclined his head and said: ‘My name is Nicholas.’ Then the bishop said to him: ‘Nicholas, servant and friend of God, for your holiness you shall be bishop of this place.’ And they brought him to the church, though he refused it strongly, and yet they set him in the chair. And he followed, as he did before in all things, in humility and honesty of manners.”

As the Bishop of Myra, Nicholas would become well-known for his care of the poor, the afflicted, and the needy. There are many stories recorded of him providing food during famines, saving holy innocents, and even miraculously rescuing murdered children that God would bring back to life. His care for children would cause him to be known as the patron and protector of Children.

Nicholas's commitment to safeguarding the Holy Faith also marked a significant chapter in his life as well. In the year 325 AD, he played a pivotal role as one of the bishops attending the Council of Nicaea, the inaugural ecumenical council convened by Saint Constantine the Great. This historic gathering, comprised of over 300 bishops from across the Christian world, was convened to deliberate on the nature of the Holy Trinity.

A pivotal moment unfolded during the council when Arius, a proponent of the notion that Jesus the Son was not equal to God the Father, vigorously championed his views. As Arius continued his fervent arguments, Nicholas, reportedly growing increasingly impassioned, strode across the basilica and delivered an open-handed slap to the heretic. Nicholas's unwavering defense of orthodoxy during this critical juncture solidified not only the Nicene Creed but also his legacy as a protector of Holy Faith.

In the year 346 AD, at the old age of 76, Nicholas completed his earthly sojourn and passed into the embrace of the Lord. Legend has it that as he departed, celestial choirs could be heard singing a divine melody heralding his transition. His mortal remains found their resting place in a tomb in Myra in Turkey. In the year 1071, amid the geopolitical changes brought about by the Conquest of the Turks, the bones of Saint Nicholas were transported from Myra to Bari, Italy where they remain to this day.

Is Santa Real?

While discussing Saint Nicholas, we must also discuss Santa Claus. Navigating the question of how to approach the topic of Santa Claus with children has been a recurring thing for me over the years. I've observed a spectrum of perspectives, ranging from denying Santa's existence altogether to presenting the "historical" Saint Nicholas as a figure of the past. I find both approaches to be somewhat problematic.

The first approach that denies the reality of Santa Claus is simply inaccurate. The term "Santa Claus" unquestionably originates from "Saint Nicholas." Specifically, "Santa Claus" is etymologically connected to the Dutch moniker for Saint Nicholas, known as "Sinter Klaas," a condensed form of the full "Sint Nikolaas." This counters the objection often raised about the alleged falsehood in teaching children about Santa Claus. Santa Claus is real and is connected to Saint Nicholas.

Conversely, the second perspective, while recognizing the identity of Santa Claus with Saint Nicholas, is not without its shortcomings. Its primary drawback lies in its reduction of Saint Nicholas to his physical body, which is simply materialism. Additionally, this perspective diverges from historical views on bodies, which were more nuanced than the reductionist approach of our modern era.

Let me just give you some examples of how the modern notion of “body” diverges from the ancient notion.

Our forefathers in the faith confessed with the inspired writers of Scripture that the church is the body of Christ. Obviously, when they confessed this they did not mean that the church is the physical, biological body of Jesus Christ on earth. We know that Jesus ascended bodily to heaven where He is seated with God the Father Almighty. That ought to cause you to pause for a moment and reconsider what a body is. It’s clear that our ancestors understood a “body” to be something different than we do as moderns.

Their confession articulated that the church constitutes the mystical body of Christ due to our participation in Christ as our divine principle. Through faith in Him, adherence to His divine pattern as revealed in Sacred Scripture, and mystical union with Him, we become integral members of His body (1 Cor. 12:12). This mystical body serves as the manifestation of Christ in the world. The profound understanding encapsulated in the phrase "Soli Deo Gloria" underscores the acknowledgment that we were intricately created in Christ Jesus for the purpose of engaging in the good works that God had prepared beforehand for us to walk in (Eph. 2:10).

If the previous example doesn't resonate, contemplate the reality that you are a citizen of a nation, characterized by what the old Westminster Divines would term a "body politick." This entity possesses laws and representatives, including judges and law enforcement, who act as agents of the body to enforce its will (refer to WCF 19 on The Law of God). Clearly, this body politick is not a physical, flesh-and-blood body; instead, it is a political body that governs itself, serving as a nexus of power that unifies various capabilities and functions. The concept highlights that bodies, in a broader sense, are not as confined as commonly perceived.

Similarly, the functioning of Santa Claus operates on a similar principle. Indeed, those embodying the spirit of Christmas can be seen as helpers of Saint Nicholas—Santa's helpers. Whether a man dresses up as Santa in a mall or a parent places presents under the Christmas tree, they effectively manifest the will of Saint Nicholas in the world in the same way that Christians manifest the will of God on earth, or in the same way that extensions of a body politick manifest the will of a state, city, or municipality. Those engaging in the pattern of Santa Claus act as subtle bodies for Saint Nicholas.

The objection grounded in materialism often dismisses the reality of this participation, labeling it as "make-believe" or "fake." However, there is a deeper truth that merits acknowledgment. Saint Nicholas, as part of the Great Cloud of Witnesses, transcends the limitations of a physical body. The essence of his generosity and compassion persists beyond the constraints of the material world. Those embodying the pattern of Santa Claus are not operating in alignment with their individual will but rather the will of Santa Claus. This principle holds true for those embodying the pattern of Christ or even within a body politic.

For this reason, I have no qualms about telling children that Santa Claus is real. While it is accurate to assert that he is the same person as Saint Nicholas, reducing him to being merely "dead" because his material body has perished is a form of materialism. It reduces the essence of a being to its material cause. God is not the god of the dead but of the living (Mark 12:37). Saint Nicholas continues to exist in this age, akin to how Moses and Elijah did on the Mount of Transfiguration.

The Feast of Santa Claus

Traditionally, the church has kept the Feast of Saint Nicholas which falls on December 6th, which happens in the Season of Advent. You can find this under “Optional Ecumenical Commemorations” in the 2019 Book of Common Prayer that is used in the Anglican Church in North America.

For me and my family, the celebration of Saint Nicholas is encapsulated in the Season of Advent. Here’s what that looks like for us.

After Thanksgiving, we begin decorating our house for Advent and Christmastide. That means I’m going to spend the day bringing down all of our Christmas decorations from the attic. We’re going to hang lights, put up and decorate the Christmas tree, hang stockings on the mantle, and put our Advent wreath that holds our Advent candles as the centerpiece on our kitchen table. Every Sunday evening in Advent, my family gathers around the table for dinner time, we light the Advent candle for that Sunday, and we pray the corresponding Advent Collect for that Sunday.

On December 6th, which is the Feast of Saint Nicholas, we’ll do some stocking stuffers and put some oranges in there and use it as an opportunity to tell stories of Saint Nicholas’ generosity and how it points to the generosity of Jesus. Maybe we’ll go out and throw some snowballs if there’s snow to run off Krampus since that’s an old, fun tradition in Europe as well.

Conclusion

In conclusion, as we stand at the juncture of the Feast of Saint Nicholas and the season of Advent, this essay has traversed the realms of sacred timekeeping, delved into the inspiring life of Saint Nicholas, and navigated the complex question of Santa Claus's existence. The completion of Re-enchanting The Unseen marked the closing of one chapter but unveiled the expansive landscape of the Re-enchanting Time project, inviting a deeper exploration into the celestial dimensions of sacred reckonings.

As we approach the Feast of Saint Nicholas within the Season of Advent, the essay offers a glimpse into a personal celebration—a time of decorating, lighting Advent candles, and sharing stories of Saint Nicholas's generosity. It becomes an opportunity not only for stocking stuffers and festive activities but also for reflecting on the enduring legacy of Saint Nicholas and its resonance with the generosity exemplified by Jesus.

In this season of anticipation, the essay extends an invitation to readers to join in the ongoing odyssey of sacred timekeeping, exploring the cosmic narratives woven by the great cloud of witnesses. As the journey continues, guided by the echoes of celestial choirs and the timeless stories of saints, may this Advent season be one of deeper understanding, meaningful participation, and the rediscovery of the enchantment that resides in the unseen realms of faith.