In a recent shopping trip to a local mall, I was surprised to see a number of merchandise displays which promoted a battery-powered doll-like image of Santa Claus doing a mechanized version of the Twist to the tune of "Jingle Bell Rock." Upon seeing this, I immediately thought of the life of the real "Santa Claus" and wondered how he might react to seeing himself and his life's work being portrayed in such a silly, albeit harmless, way.
The character of Santa Claus finds its origin in the life of Saint Nicholas, the Archbishop of Myra in Lycia. Saint Nicholas lived in the fourth century and served the Christian Church as an outstanding pastor, a staunch defender of the Christian Faith, and a protector of the poor, most especially of defenseless children. His feast is observed on the calendars of both the Christian East and the Christian West on December 6, during the weeks of preparation prior to the Feast of Christ's Nativity.
We might lament that the saintly example of Saint Nicholas has been watered down and that he has been transformed into the "Jolly Old Elf" of The Night Before Christmas fame, but it is understandable as to how this happened. All the stories surrounding Saint Nicholas' life and all the legends and myths which have been built up around the image of Santa Claus tell one and the same story: the story of a man of faith and love, the story of a man of great goodness who reached and reaches out to others in their need.
The real Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, is honored in the Orthodox Church as "the venerable vessel full of praise of the Holy Trinity," as the "one who helps those who call upon him," and as a "teacher of the divine commandments." A seemingly inordinate number of Orthodox churches are named in his honor, attesting to his popularity. As the Orthodox Church celebrates his annual feast every December 6, it reflects upon the miracles which were worked during his lifetime. But, the extraordinary thing about Saint Nicholas, despite the wonders and miracles which were a part of his life, is the "ordinariness" of his life.
Saint Nicholas was not a great theological writer, although he was present at the Great Council of Nicea and reportedly stood up and vigorously defended true Christian teaching against the false teachings of Arius. He was not an ascetic, or at least no reports of great ascetic practice, of fasting or long vigils have come down to us. Yet, he is praised for his holiness. He was not a mystic, yet he lived his daily life in the Lord's presence and was good and holy in all his words and deeds. He was not a prophet, yet he boldly proclaimed the Word of God and defended the rights of the afflicted and the oppressed. He battled against every form of injustice with great compassion and mercy. In a word, Saint Nicholas was a good pastor, father, shepherd, and bishop to his flock. He was a man of faith, a man of love.
To put it most simply: Saint Nicholas, the real Santa Claus, was a man who lived his faith and put it into practice each and every day. And that is where his glory lies. That is why he has become so well-loved throughout the Christian world. And that is why this fourth-century bishop, one of the truest and purest examples of living the Christian Faith, has become immortalized even outside the realm of the Church, even in department stores with their dancing Santas.