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The Real Saint Nicholas

The Christmas In Cyberspace site has always had a "No Santa Sites" policy. This approach, which is sometimes misunderstood, is designed to distinguish our site from the many secular and commercial sites that feature Santa but leave out Jesus entirely. We wanted to set apart a site for those seeking Christ-centered information about Christmas and Advent traditions and practices.

While the modern Santa Claus has become a commercial icon, the tradition has its origins in the Christian church, with a real person. That's why I heartily recommend the St. Nicholas Center, a site devoted to "Discovering The Truth About Santa Claus" and highlighting the Christian origins of St. Nicholas, the Bishop of Myra. Here's a description of the site's mission and its importance:

St. Nicholas, lover of the poor and patron saint of children, is a model of how Christians are meant to live. As priest and bishop, Nicholas put Jesus Christ at the center of his life and ministry. His concern for children and others in need or danger expressed a love for God which points toward Jesus, the source of true caring and compassion. Embracing St. Nicholas customs can help recover the true center of Christmas - the birth of Jesus. Understanding St. Nicholas as the original and true holiday gift-giver also helps shift focus to giving rather than getting, compassion rather than consumption, need rather than greed. This can help restore balance to increasingly materialistic and stress-filled Advent and Christmas seasons.

Learn more at the St. Nicholas Center web site, which includes an area for kids with games and activities.

 Posted by RichM at 05:07 PM | Link to this article | Get Posts by Email