No the real Santa, as we all know, is presently surrounded by snow somewhere in the vicinity of the North Pole preparing for his yearly twenty four hour dash around the globe. On that magical Christmas eve he will be in his sledge gliding over rooftops, coming down chimneys and ensuring that every child receives gifts that will bring joy and delight.


Not wishing to disparage the great work that our wonderful white bearded, red coated crusader gets up to, I would like to remind us all that his ancestry goes back to the original gift giver –St Nicholas, the first Santa Claus.


His special day was Thursday, December 6 and where St. Nicholas is prominent, his day, not Christmas, is the primary gift giving day. Parties may be held on the eve, December 5th, and shoes or stockings left for St. Nicholas to fill during the night. Children will find treats of small gifts, fruit or nuts, and special Nicholas candies and cookies. St. Nicholas gifts are meant to be shared, not hoarded for oneself.


Though shrouded in legend and peered at only through the mists of time, what is clear is that at the heart of the first Santa was an exceptional man who as Bishop of Myra, used his personal wealth and position to alleviate poverty, confront injustice and inspire in others the willingness to offer the gift of love and care.


Canon Mervyn Roberts, St Chad's Church, Bishop's Tachbrook