The Prayer of Santa Claus

There’s a lot of talk about the ‘war on Christmas’ every year.  Some would rather think of Christmas as the time when “Jolly Old Saint Nick” travels the world in one night to deliver toys to all the good children of the world, than to recognize it as the moment that God became man in the person of Jesus Christ, so as not to ‘offend’ anyone.  This is ironic, because the same ‘Santa Claus’ these folks celebrate on December 25th was very aware of the meaning of the Holy Day, and he wrote a prayer that Catholics use each and every Sunday to profess their faith!

St. Nicholas was the bishop of Myra (now in Turkey) and among the interesting things about him is the fact that he is the first saint canonized in the Church who was not a martyr.  In the early years of the Church it was the tremendous heroism and courage of the martyrs, willing to die for the faith, that received the most attention and veneration of the faithful.  But, Nicholas, living in the third century after most persecution of Christians had ceased was the first to be officially recognized not for dying for the faith, but for living heroically and faithfully the Christian life.

There are many stories and legends that surround this saint and come down to us over the centuries, but they all have one common factor - his incredible charity.

St. Nicholas was born during the third century in the village of Patara.  At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey.  His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young.  Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor" (Matthew 19:21, Luke 18:22, Mark 10:21) Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering.  He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man.  Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

St. Nicholas was one of the bishops who attended the Council of Nicea in the year 325; one of the great Christological Councils of the early Church.

It was St. Nicholas who wrote the text of the great Symbol of Faith of that Council, a prayer that we Catholics pray each and every Sunday; known as the Nicene Creed.  So, the Nicene Creed is, in fact, the Prayer of Santa Claus.

I invite you to pray it with me now:

I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages.

God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through Him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation He came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became man.

For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.  He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son He is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the Prophets.

I believe in one holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

St. Nicholas, pray for us!

Merry Christmas!