Did you know Santa Claus was a real man…?

Did you know that Santa Claus was a real man who lived back in the third and fourth centuries? His name was Nicholas, and he was a great believer in Jesus Christ.You might think there’s some competition between Santa and Jesus, but actually, Saint Nicholas loved Jesus with all his heart. The word saint simply means believer, so he was “The Believer Nicholas” or “Saint Nicholas.”The Dutch took on that name and called him Sinterklaas. When they came to America, it was anglicized to Santa Claus. So, Santa Claus comes from Sinterklaas, which comes from Saint Nicholas, which meant the believer Nicholas—a real man who lived back in the third and fourth centuries!

In fact, people still celebrate a day called Saint Nicholas Day on December 6th, which is the day he passed through the veil from this earth into heaven—on December 6, 343 AD. So, when you think of Santa Claus, you don’t have to think of some mythological character! You can think of a real man who would have not cared if you remembered his name, but that you remembered name of the one he worshiped: Jesus Christ.

This was such a compelling storyline that my late wife, Lana, thought we ought to make a Hollywood movie about the real-life story of Saint Nicholas. We began to research and found fascinating things about the real man Nicholas, whom you can read about from the Council of Nicaea all those years ago. You can know that this was a man who lived and who died for Jesus Christ.

We wrote a book about it just before Lana passed away called St. Nicholas the Believer: A New Story for Christmas Based on the Old Story of St. Nicholas. It’s been translated into Spanish and Italian. We’ve also turned it into a ballet called One Life: A Christmas Story Ballet, which you can watch on YouTube. It’s a beautiful telling of his story, with some wonderful music, including a couple of songs I wrote and others from contemporary Christian artists. You can watch it at this link: https://youtu.be/R2DNi2hgx6Y

We’ve also turned the story into a musical, and that’s what I want to read from for you today (below). It’s called His Name Was Nicholas. This is a musical you can perform sometime in your community or church, maybe next year! You can get the full script and score at inspiringbooks.com.

And most recently, we’ve turned the story into an Italian puppet opera! For the first time this Christmas, you can watch it on Prime Video on Amazon. Here’s the link to watch here in the US: http://amazon.com/dp/B0DMKPRS4G or search for “Saint Nicholas” or “Eric Elder” or “puppet opera,” and you should be able to pull up this beautiful telling of the story by four wonderful storytellers and 17 incredible hand-carved puppets. The show is under an hour and brings to life this real man who became a legend.

Now, I’d love to share with you a passage from His Name Was Nicholas.

This is a scene where Nicholas is traveling with three young children who are taking him on a tour of the Holy Land, where he has just arrived. The first place he wants to go to is Bethlehem. We pick up the story here.

All three of the children running ahead to their destination. It’s a narrow but well-worn route to the cave, having had thousands of pilgrims traversing it over the years. After a short time on the path, Nicholas stops and lets out a laugh. The children stop to look at him.

Nicholas says, “I was just thinking of the wise men who came up to Bethlehem to see Jesus. They may have come up this very same path. How regal they must have looked, riding their camels and bringing their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

Sammy says, “I’ve ridden a camel.”

Nicholas says, “Well, for a moment there, I pictured myself riding a camel too, just like one of those kings. But then I stepped in some sheep dung. The smell reminded me I’m not riding a camel, and I’m certainly not royalty!”

Then little Ruthie, thinking, says, “But smelling like sheep dung might make you more like the shepherds who saw Jesus that night he was born. And they got there first.”

Nicholas says, “You’re absolutely right, Ruthie.”

Ruthie smiles at her insight, but then her face becomes thoughtful again. She says, “Maybe we should bring a gift with us too, like the wise men did.”

The thought overtakes her, as if she’s truly concerned that she has nothing to give to honor Jesus. She looks around, then spots some golden flowers on the hillside. Ruthie points and says, “Look!” She leaves the path, picks four small flowers, then returns and hands one to each of them.

Ruthie continues, “They look like gold to me.” She smiles from ear to ear, and Nicholas can’t help but smile with her.

Nicholas says, “They certainly do, Ruthie. There’s always something you can give, isn’t there? Whether gold from a mine or golden flowers from a hillside, everything we have comes from God anyway, doesn’t it?”

They continue walking as Nicholas looks at his flower and begins to sing the song, There’s Always Something You Can Give:

There’s always something you can give,
Look around and you will see,
Whether gold or golden flowers
That live on the hills beneath your feet.

Even though, we know all things
Come from above,
Still, there’s no greater show of our heart,
Than to give in love.

I’d love to pray for you as we enter into this holiday season—that your heart would be filled with love, not only for Jesus but for those around you as well.

We’ve just come through Thanksgiving, and there is a wonderful quote I read that says, “A real Thanksgiving is celebrated in real thanksgiving.” If we can celebrate with real thanksgiving—real gratitude in our hearts to Jesus—that’s the best expression of love we can give to Him, and it’s the best expression of love we can give to others too.

Love covers a multitude of sins, and I know I’ve been forgiven so much that I want to express that love to others too, so they can know my love for them and God’s love for them.

Let’s pray:

Lord, we come to you with open, grateful, and tender hearts. In any place where we’ve built up calluses or walls, Lord, help us to tear those down. Help us to be tender, loving, kind, and compassionate again this Christmas.

Help us to be tender and openhearted to You and to others. Show us what we can give. If we feel called to give a gift, help us know what to give—whether it’s gold from a store or gold from a flower on a hillside.

I pray that we’d give from a heart of love. Lord, awaken us with ideas for expressing our love, whether it’s through a prayer, a call, a card, or something simple we already have. Help us treat others as your children and give with true love, respect, and thanksgiving in our hearts.

We love you and thank you for all you’ve done. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Again, if you want a copy of the book (or five or ten to give as gifts!), it’s a wonderful present for others. It’s called St. Nicholas the Believer: A New Story for Christmas Based on the Old Story of St. Nicholas by Eric and Lana Elder. You can find it on Amazon at this link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1931760403/ or at InspiringBooks.com.

I’ve included all the links I mentioned below. Have a great holiday season!

Watch today’s podcast here:
https://youtu.be/-lAtjKXGdTo