Dig into the origin of our Santa legends to discover that Santa Claus has a strong connection to Jesus.
Talking Points:
- St. Nicholas was born around 270 AD, along the coast of what is now southern Turkey. His parents were wealthy. Despite the temptations of wealth, Nicholas devoted his life to pursuing God and serving others. As a young man he became pastor of the city of Myra.
- Nicholas used his inherited wealth to meet the needs of the Christian flock in his city. He often secretly visited the homes of the most needy at night to deliver food, clothing, and money.
- December 6 became known and celebrated as St. Nicholas’ day. Over time, devotion to Nicholas spread to all parts of Europe. He became the patron saint of Russia, Greece, and many individual cities – as well as the patron saint of children, sailors, pawnbrokers, and more.
- The American version of Santa Claus owes a lot to the Dutch who settled in New York. They united St. Nicholas with a benevolent magician from Nordic legend, who was known for punishing naughty children and rewarding good ones.
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- What role does Santa Claus play in your family’s Christmas traditions?
- If you received a large inheritance, how would you spend it? How is that different from when you were 20?
- What impresses you most about the story of St. Nicholas, and why?
- How might this topic change how your family approaches Santa Claus? Explain.
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
