The Real Santa Claus

Christmas has transformed into both a religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. Have you wondered how Santa Claus became a part of Christmas traditions?

There was a real Santa Claus (ST. Nicholas) long ago. Nicholas became a bishop sometime around 280 A.D. in Patara, near Myra in modern-day Turkey. He was a kind and genrous young man. He inherited a fortune which he used to help people in need.

He wore a long red robe and a red hat and travelled on horseback to neighboring villages. He would travel to nearby villages helping the families and their children. Children would see him coming and come to greet him.

In one village, bishop Nicholas heard about a man who had fallen on hard times. He had three daughters and didn't have money for a dowry so that they could get married.

One night, Nicholas crept up to the home where the family lived. He secretly tossed bags of gold down the chimney. Earlier that day, the three sisters had hung their newly washed stockings by the fireplace to dry. One bag of gold that Nicholas dropped fell into one of the stockings below.

As the story of these three sisters spread from village to village, other people began to hang their stockings by the fire, hoping to find a secret gift when they awoke the next morning. People all over the world began to celebrate, hanging stockings by the fire and waking to find them filled with candy, fruit, nuts or toys.

The American name for him, Santa Claus, comes from the Dutch pronounciation of St. Nicholas which is Sinterklaas. Santa became a modified version of the Famous Nicolas of Myra. In 1823, his appearance and mannerisms changed to become today's Santa Claus, made famous by the poem, "The Night Before Christmas." written by Clement Clarke Moore. Later still, the beverage company, Coca-Cola hired an artist to depict a Santa Claus drinking coca-cola. They insisted that he be fashioned wearing a Bright Red (Coca-cola color) suit.

So, although there is no more Santa Claus, there was a real Santa Claus long ago. Many people choose to continue to celebrate Santa and the "Christmas Spirit." Whatever you choose, please don't forget the real reason for the season. We are celebrating the Birth of our Saviour, Jesus.

The "Stuff of Christmas"

Everyday I seem to have lots of great blog ideas floating around. It's taking the time to set them to print on the screen that matters. Merry Christmas to everyone.

Here it is the week of Christmas - just a few days before. What great things do you find yourself doing during the Christmas season? Do you have some fun family traditions?

Ever notice how stressed people seems at Christmas? Christmas is supposed to be "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year." as the song declares. It's easy to get so caught up doing the "stuff" of Christmas that it's easy to forget why we celebrate.

I love the Christmas parties, buying or making gifts for family and friends that I know they will love. I love the decorating, Christmas caroling, Christmas programs, the lights, the Christmas dinner, the visiting that goes on and all the other things that Christmas brings. In the hustle and bustle, don't forget that Christmas is the time when we celebrate Jesus coming to earth. He came as a baby, to grow up to be a man without sin and to save the world from sin through his death on the cross. Here are some meanings to the "stuff" of Christmas.

The lights represent Jesus as the light of the world

The Angel on the tree (or the star) represent the angels that came to the shepherds and the star represents the star that the wisemen followed to his birthplace.

The presents represent the gifts that were given to Jesus

Candles symbolize that Christ is the light of the World

The Holly symbolizes the Crown of Thorns that Jesus wore at his death on the cross

The Christmas Tree symbolizes life.

And - last but not least, the colors of Christmas.

Red - Christ's blood shed for our sin.

Green - We have eternal life in Christ.

White - The purity of Christ.

Gold - The Kingship and Royalty of Christ

So there you have it. So, no matter what traditions you practice at this time of year, remember to celebrate the reason for the season - Jesus!