St. Nicholas

what can I say, he was a beast

by Peter Enns

December 2, 2012

St Nicholas icon prayer card — Prayer card available in our shop

In church today, our rector handed out a card with a icon of St. Nicholas, like the one on the left.

On the back of the card read the following:

Nicholas was born in the 3rd century in Asia Minor. He used his entire inheritance to help the poor, sick, and children in need. He gave in secret, expecting nothing in return. He attended the Council of Nicea in AD 325. Greatly loved for his faith, compassion and care, he is venerated in both East and West.

OK, that’s pretty cool. He gave away his entire inheritance to those in need. I never knew that. I thought he had elves helping him or something, but I guess I got that part wrong.

The rest of the card really hit me and made me feel stupid and cheated for never having been taught this as a child.

Nicholas saved young women from slavery, protected sailors, spared innocents from execution, provided grain in a famine and rescued a kidnapped boy.

Nicholas was a beast. Mother Teresa, Oskar Schindler, and Samuel L. Jackson all rolled into one. What an absolute crushing beast.

I like the icon–his eyes. He is looking off to the side, like he’s annoyed about having to sit there for a portrait while people in need were suffering.

Can you imagine how he would react to what he has become in our contemporary society?

[Say in Samuel L. Jackson voice, preferably the diner scene from Pulp Fiction] "Let me get this straight. You want me to fly through the air, slide down your chimney and give you stuff? How about I kick down your door and take all your money and give it people who need it?"

So, to review:

Santa face — Santa Claus. Not real.
An embodiment of our greed.

St. Nicholas. Real Person.
Worth telling your kids about.

OK, I’m exaggerating and "totally misunderstanding Samuel L. Jackson" (to anticipate some humorless comments). But, my point still stands. For "Jolly Old St. Nick" to have pulled off things like standing between a slave owner and his property, or an executioner and his victim, or go about unkidnapping a boy, he was probably a very brave man indeed with better things on his mind than making sure nice children get an X-Box or an iPad 3.

I feel better now. Thanks for listening.

By Peter Enns from Patheos. Used by permission.