During this holiday season, I find myself pondering the two men who have become icons of December 25th: Santa Claus and Jesus Christ. When I think of Santa Claus, I instantly picture Santa’s Village in the local mall, with lines of tired, cranky children dragged around by tired, cranky mothers. When the child finally gets to the front of the line and is plopped on Santa’s lap, he screams. I remember the year that Santa came early to our house. I was in kindergarten or first grade and I remember the bells jingling and being allowed to answer the door. I was thrilled to see Old Saint Nick on the other side. My little sister, on the other hand, screamed and ran away. Children have to be taught not to fear Santa. Once they have learned this lesson, they also learn to send him endless lists of the expensive presents they want.

In her book, On the Banks of Plum Creek, Laura Ingalls Wilder remembers a lesson her mother taught her about Santa Claus: “‘The older you are, the more you know about Santa Claus,’ [Ma] said. ‘…He is in the Big Woods, and in Indian Territory, and far away in York State, and here. He comes down all the chimneys at the same time…’ Then Ma told them something else about Santa Claus. He was everywhere, and besides that, he was all the time. Whenever anyone was unselfish, that was Santa Claus. Christmas Eve was the time when everybody was unselfish. On that one night, Santa Claus was everywhere, because everybody, all together, stopped being selfish and wanted other people to be happy. And in the morning you saw what that had done” (pp 86-7).

Saint Nicholas lived in the late 300’s A.D. He was a Bishop and was remembered as giving liberally to the poor. Many legends grew up around him concerning secret gift giving, all meaning to point to him as an example of unselfishness (as Laura’s Ma put it) or Charity. He is an example of Charity. In this way, he is a type (or symbol) of Christ.

Jesus Christ was born in a manger. I remember the reverence with which my little sister and I would place the Baby Jesus figure from our Nativity scene in the manger on Christmas Eve. Little children seem to have an instinctive reverence and love for the Savior. They don’t have to be taught not to fear Him. The centuries have not altered His example from one of charity and unselfishness to one of fear and greed as they did to poor Saint Nicholas.

As in everything, man’s example of Charity is good, God’s is better. To recieve is good, to give is better. Santa is good. Jesus is better.