We live in a world where we question the existence of almost everything. The question of God’s existence is argued over every day. We question the existence of life on Mars and numerous other things that we called unsolved mysteries. One question that is discussed among children is the existence of Santa Claus. Some believe while others do not, each one still hoping that there is truth in the stories of his existence.

Each year, commercials fill the airwaves from Thanksgiving until Christmas with various Santa Claus impersonators trying to sell the latest toys or electronics. Movies and cartoons have been made about this mythological character, all offering explanations of who he is and where he came from. The question is tossed around as to whether or not Santa Claus is fictional. The Santa Claus of commercialism today is a myth, however there lived a man centuries ago named St. Nicholas and he is where the myth all started.

His Life

Nicholas was born in the village of Patara in the third century. His parents were strong believers and raised Nicholas with those same values and beliefs, a faith that would truly be life-altering to this man. His parents were wealthy, yet when they passed away, Nicholas allowed his faith to influence his financial situation. Nicholas used his inheritance to assist the sick and the needy in his area. Those who were suffering were the ones that Nicholas reached out to as he believed what Jesus has said and applied those teachings to his own life. It is said that Jesus’ words to the Rich Young Ruler were the ones that had influenced Nicholas.

He dedicated his life to God and nothing would stand in his way of pleasing the Lord, not even material wealth. He was appointed the Bishop of Myra and was known for his generosity throughout the area as he helped those who were in desperate need of health, including children. He was also known for his compassion and care towards sailors and travelers. He was well-respected as he truly lived what he believed day in and day out.

Diocletian, the Roman Emperor known for his persecution of Christians, exiled Nicholas and had him imprisoned for his beliefs. Even in the face of the persecution, Nicholas remained loyal to his faith and the way of life that God had called him to live. He would later be released form prison and died in AD 343. He became a saint in the Catholic church and even after the revision of the Catholic calendar in 1968, Nicholas is still recognized as a saint. Many churches throughout the world bear his name, an acknowledgement of his faith and the life he lived. After his death, the legends and folklore about Nicholas’ life and acts of kindness grew. It culminated with the mythological Santa Claus that has become one of the most commonly used holiday symbols today.

Did he fly around with reindeer or have magical powers to cover the world in the course of one night? No chance. Was he a man of faith who sought to make a difference in this world, using what God had given him? Without a doubt, he was.

What can we learn from St. Nicholas?

The original is sometimes better than the fabricated version. What we see in the real St. Nicholas is a heart for those who needed hope. We live in a world where a person with the heart and spirit of the original St. Nicholas is needed now more than ever before. Even knowing that the world needs that now, we live life like the commercial version of Santa, stuffing ourselves with all of the cookies and milk while soaking up all of the glory that we do not deserve. People are longing to find in us a heart of the original St. Nicholas, who reached out to common folks and lifted their spirits in the name of God.

He had faith even through the persecution that he faced, not falling prey to a selfish nature or even asking the question of “Why me?�. He had, but that which he had, he gave. We can learn that faith must be the foundation of life, if we are ever going to become true men of God. Without that rock solid faith, we will waver in times of trial and add to the world’s viewpoint of hypocrisy in Christians.

Another thing that we can learn from St. Nicholas is that kindness and love is not confined to one season a year, but is something that should be a part of our everyday lives. People need us every day, not just in December. He was not relegated to one night a year generosity, as the commercial Santa provides. His life was a life of servant hood and generosity to mankind.

The question remains, to some degree, as to whether St. Nicholas is a myth or a fact. Yes, St. Nicholas, not Santa Claus, was truly a man who lived his life for the Lord. Does he still exist? That question will be answered in the way that you choose to live your life from this day forward. Will you be a man of God who lives to help the helpless and downtrodden? If you do, then your part of the world will have a true St. Nicholas too.

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