Santa Claus or Jesus at Christmas

Fr Paul Lelen Haokip *

Christmas in Imphal city :: 25 December 2010

Christmas comes, people are crammed with mixed feelings and diverse priorities. Some spend as a time for new things, decoration of the houses or Christmas tree, search for animals to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, etc, etc. Irrespective of religion, Santa Claus seems to be more prominent at shopping malls, streets, bus stands and public places. His red gown with white sleeves signifies sacrifice and a sanctity.

Who was Santa Claus?

'Santa' means Holy/Saint while 'Claus' is the shorted form of Nicholas. Doubtless, one of the most loved Saints, hardly anything is historically known about life and death of Nicholas of Bari (Italy), except that he was Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, for some time during the first half of the 4th century.

His legend recounts how, on returning from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, he came to Myra, and early the next morning went to the church. The local Bishop having just recently died, the Clergy had secretly agreed that the first person to enter the church that morning would become the new Bishop; and so Nicholas was consecrated. He suffered imprisonment during the Diocletian/Galerius (303-311 AD) persecution, but was freed by the Edict of Constantine (313 AD) and is known to have attended the great Nicaean Council I (c. 324).

Why Santa Claus is seen as a generous person?

Santa is always associated with gifts and presents. The principal miracle-legends that highlight Nicholas' reputation for generosity and kindness speak of his liberation of 3 unjustly condemned officers; his secret provision of dowries for three daughters of an impoverished nobleman - he threw gold-filled purses in through the window during the night, thus making him the "bringer" and his deliverance of three innocent youths condemned to death.

After his death, the Myra Christians honoured his memory by leaving surprise gifts for their children by their bedside during the night before his anniversary (6th Dec). This tradition gradually got transferred to our Christmas, and "Saint Nicholas" has in popular parlance become similar to "Santa Claus". But in certain parts of Europe, as in Catholic Austria for instance, the practice of giving to well-behaved children a small present and to naughty ones a piece of black coal and a switch on 6th December still prevails.

The relics of St. Nicholas were allegedly stolen from his Church in Myra in 1087 and brought to Bari in Southern Italy by some Italian sailors or merchants. Now enshrined in the church of St. Nicola, Bari, they are venerated to this day for their power of healing. On his feast day, his image is taken out to sea in a boat and returned in the evening with a torchlight procession. Regarded as the Patron of mariners and travellers, he is honoured especially in seaport towns. He is the protector of the innocent and the wronged in particular and of all children in general. Finally, he is the Patron of Russia, Greece, Sicily, Lorraine, Limerick and Naples.

Jesus, Prince of Peace or A Sign of Contradiction

Even at the onset of Christmas, Manipur still reels under the weight of fuel scarcity and abundance of bandhs and strikes. When Isaiah prophesied "A virgin shall bear a son, and he shall be called Emmanuel", He (Jesus) was already a contradictory even before his birth. How? How could a virgin give birth? - a thing unheard hitherto.

At his birth, many young and innocent male children sacrificed their lives at the behest of Herod to eliminate the possible King of the Jews. The Prince of Peace is born, but violence is everywhere. A sign of contradiction! The King of Kings is born without any visible kingdom. How can a king be born in a stable? His mission was to shed His precious blood for the wayward human race, but unknown innocents shed their blood for his survival.

Christmas is a time of giving. The Babe at Bethlehem is born for you and me. For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that all men may live. Jesus is for all. Life is a celebration. No time to keep hurts or count the loss. If you can't be at Bethlehem this year, prepare a place deep within your heart for the birth of the Prince of Peace. He comes to make you special. Now is your chance to create that special atmosphere wherever you are.

It's a time of repentance which does not only mean regret for the past or the performance of penance, but in addition, a change of heart and mind, a novel beginning, a new direction in keeping the mind of God. Yes, over 2.3 billion Christians around the globe are gearing up to celebrate the birth of Christ in their own native way. Hope Santa and Jesus bring some surprise gifts at this Christmas for the peace-needing Manipur.

May Sanaleipak Have a Peaceful Christmas and Better Year 2012