Day 340 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Daniel 7,8; 1 John 5)
THE REAL THING
Coca Cola had the tag line that identified Coke as “the real thing.” However, when they introduced Santa Clause in a 1920s campaign, they began the trend of getting us farther and farther away from “the real thing,” the real Santa who was a real man name Nicholas. Today is St. Nicholas Day, the celebration of the life of this real man who died on December 6, 343AD.
St Nicholas was a bishop who lived in the third and fourth century AD, in Myra in Asia Minor, in what is now part of Turkey. He was born in the Greek seaport of Patara, in Asia Minor, on 15 March 270AD, when it was a part of the Roman Empire. Born into a wealthy family, his Christian parents died when he was young, leaving him with all their riches. He became known for his kindness, helping the poor, sick and suffering with aid and gifts. Among many acts of kindness, he is said to have rescued three girls from being forced into prostitution by dropping a sack of gold coins through the window of their house each night for three nights so their father could pay a dowry for each of them. Devoting himself to a life of serving God, he was still a young man when he became the Bishop of Myra, developing a reputation for generosity and justice. There are many other dubious stories about miracles associated with him as well.
When Dutch immigrants settled in America, they brought along their St. Nicholas traditions, calling him Sinter Klaas. Coke then took this name and morphed it into Santa Claus, and our Christmas tradition took hold.
Sadly, the connection with the real St. Nicholas is no longer emphasized for the vast majority of people. St. Nicholas would probably be horrified to see how there is virtually no connection with his Christian roots. Roots that are evident in today’s reading from 1 John 5:13... “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.”
Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Christian giving and concern for the needy that we find in St. Nicholas. Thank You even more for Your great concern for souls. May we take comfort in the gift of Your Son by whom we know that eternal life is ours. In His saving name. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year.
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