MERRY CHRISTMAS and the evolution of the modern day Santa Claus

by Sonja Harris on December 25, 2013 at 11:14 AM

Expressing Merry Christmas is covered under the 1st Amendment since it grants us Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion. But in reality we are legislating to keep our traditions alive in our schools. This year Texas passed the Merry Christmas law enabling Texas school districts to recognize traditional ‘winter celebrations’ such as Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and happy holidays. It’s hard to believe that there is now a law ruling that we can have a Christmas tree, or a Menorah or a Nativity scene display for the students.

A Gallup poll taken in December 2012 showed that America was still more than 75% Christian with 51.9% being Protestant and 23.3% Catholic. The recent outcry on the suspension of Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty for standing by his Christian beliefs just proves that Christians aren’t just ready to fade away no matter how the main stream media paints Americans as anti-Christian. We just have to push back because there are more of us than the atheists, anti-Christians or others who want to silence us. We can not let the minority dictate to us how we express our Christian beliefs.

Persecution is not anything new. St. Nicholas was born in Patara, Lycia which is now part of Turkey about the year 280 from wealthy parents. During his lifetime he used his inheritance to help the poor and the sick. After his death, St. Nicholas enjoyed popularity as the gift giver in Europe until the time of the 1500 Protestant Reformation when honoring Saints was no longer acceptable. Lucky for us, the Dutch remained faithful to St. Nicholas throughout the religious movement. When the Dutch immigrants came to America they also brought the tale of St. Nicholas who was associated with giving gifts.

In 1881 a cartoonist named Thomas Nast drew the legendary St. Nicholas and gave him his signature Santa suit. Our present day Santa Claus, evolved from a Christian Bishop from Myra. St Nicholas has become our modern day secular Santa Claus. So for all the Season’s Greetings that may appear at the stores, the real reason for the season is based on Christianity.

Interestingly enough, according to a Public Religion Research poll 49% of Americans are in favor of the greeting ‘Happy Holidays’ to be used at businesses instead of ‘Merry Christmas’. White Evangelical Protestants like ‘Merry Christmas’ 62% over ‘Happy Holidays’. 50% of Catholics like the greeting, ‘Happy Holidays’ over ‘Merry Christmas’. As you can see the other 50% of Catholics would rather use ‘Merry Christmas’.

So are we losing the ‘War on Christmas’? I believe we are not. The spirit of Christmas is alive and there is always the hope of tomorrow for Christians and the promise of renewal. During this Holy Season we celebrate Christ’s historic birth in a manger 2013 years ago. We look forward to spending time with our loved ones and to use this special occasion to make peace with our family members. May you all have a very Merry Christmas and may Christ’s blessings be abundant.