The liturgy on this 2nd Sunday of Advent features St. John the Baptist. For many people, however, the saint who is most closely connected with Christmas, after Mary and Joseph, is not John the Baptist. It is St. Nicholas. Jolly St. Nick in his bright red suit presents a contrast with the austerity of the Baptist who was clothed in camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist. Even so, St. Nicholas can serve as part of our Advent reflections. He was the 4th century bishop of Myra in Lycia (a part of Turkey). A popular story about him revolves around a poor man who couldn’t provide dowries for his 3 daughters. As each girl reached marriageable age, Nicholas secretly left a bag of gold for the father so that he could arrange the weddings. Over the centuries Nicholas became a symbol of the gift-giving which is part of the Christmas celebration.
The bishop’s name is Greek (“Nikealos”). The first part of his name,”Nike,” means “victory”. It is the name that was given to Greek goddess of victory. Our government has employed it to designate a missile, and sporting goods company has used it for its products.
There is a second part to the name; it is “laos” which means “people”. This meaning should help us to recognize that the great victory of Christ was for the benefit of His people. The legends about the goodness and gift-giving of St. Nicholas have been symbolized in the Dutch version of his name, Santa Claus. This name represents some of the most delightful experiences of childhood, but even for adults it suggests jolliness and good-natured generosity and a man clothed in a bright red suit rather than camel’s hair.
But Santa Claus doesn’t push the Baptist aside during Advent. By his preaching John hoped to move people away from the basis of sin, which is self-centeredness. Santa Claus symbolizes unselfishness. He represents what the Baptist intended to accomplish. He is the gift giver who never receives a gift.
Behind all the legends of the good St. Nick is a yearning for a manifestation in a human person of the unselfish goodness which the eternal Son of God brought to our world. Preparing for Christmas means trying to become what Santa Claus represents, a personification of the kingdom of Christ. We are imbued with the Christmas spirit when indifference is turned into justice, when hatred is overcome by love, and when violence gives way to peace. Is there a Santa Claus? He is found in every person who shares in Christ’s victory over sin.