Known the World Over

At this time of the year around the globe there is one name that frequently appears in newspapers, on billboards, in TV ads and letters. An immortal man whose story has been told to people in every land throughout the generations. Many believe that we can learn much about the purpose of life by seeing what he did while on this earth. Many look forward to his coming. And many do not. Some believe that he is just a myth fabricated by the church. Some fear him and many adore him. Known by many names, who is this immortal man?

On this eve of Christmas, I share with you this story credited to Max Lucado from The Angels were Silent.
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Some call him Sinterklaas. Others call him Papa Noel. He’s been known as Hoteiosho, Sonnerklaas, Father Christmas, Jelly Belly, and to most English speakers, Santa Claus. His original name was Nicholas, which means victorious. He was born in 280 A.D. in what is now Turkey. He was an orphan at age nine when his parents died of a plague. Though many would think Santa majored in toy-making and minored in marketing, actually the original Nicholas studied Greek philosophy and Christian doctrine.

He was honored by the Roman Catholic church by being named Bishop of Myra in the early fourth century. He held the post until his death on December 6, 343. History recognized him as a saint, but in the third century he was a bit of a troublemaker. He was twice jailed, once by the Emperor Diocletian for religious reasons, the other for slugging a fellow bishop during a fiery debate. (So much for finding out who is naughty and nice.)

Old Nick never married. But that’s not to say he wasn’t a romantic. He was best known for the kindness he showed to a poor neighbor who was unable to support his three daughters or provide the customary dowry so they could attract husbands. Old Saint Nicholas slipped up to the house by night and dropped a handful of gold coins through the window so the eldest daughter could afford to get married. He repeated this act on two other nights for the other two daughters.

This story was the seed which, watered with years, became the Santa legend. It seems that every generation adorned it with another ornament until it sparkled more than a Christmas tree. The gift grew from a handful of coins to bags of coins. Instead of dropping them through the window, he dropped them down the chimney. And rather than land on the floor, the bags of coins landed in the girls’ stockings which were hanging on the hearth to dry. The centuries have been as good to Nicholas’s image as to his deeds. Not only have his acts been embellished, his wardrobe and personality have undergone transformations as well.
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Back then it was just a few coins in a stocking for a poor child. Today, Saint Nick is "responsible" for $50,000 cars with big red bows on the front lawn of American homes. (P.S. Not here! The largest gift I ever gave Wendy was a clothes dryer when we were first married - a mistake not repeated).

Santa Claus has clearly changed throughout the years. Not so with Jesus Christ. He remains the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Unlike Father Christmas who comes every year, Jesus is coming back only one more time .

But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.
(1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

Jesus is coming back! May He find each of us Worthy and Working when He comes.
Merry Christmas to All

(this video is awesome! From http://www.adventconspiracy.org/ )