•-Christmas is one of the most important festivals for Christians when they celebrate the birthday of Lord Jesus Christ, but unfortunately it has been observed that instead of celebrating the birthday of Jesus Christ, the festival is observed as the feast of Santa Claus, (not the real St. Nicholas) but the media commercialized Santa Claus who is supposed to be living in the North Pole and rides on the reindeers and has elves to do his work and this is degrading the value the real Santa Claus (St. Nicholas who was the Bishop of Myra) but also the real story of Christmas.
The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara, 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," 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.
Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals, murderers, thieves and robbers. He died December 6, AD in Myra. Thus this feast of St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) is celebrated on 6th December.
Unfortunately It is also observed that in Mumbai, people put the Santa Claus mask for the Old Man of the year thus insulting the stature of St. Nicholas. There is a need for people to understand that Christmas is because of Jesus Christ and not Jesus Christ because of St. Nicholas or Santa Claus. We appeal to the people of Mumbai and elsewhere that not to apply the face of Santa Claus on the Old Man but the mask of an Old man with a funny face which will represent the passing of the old year. St. Nicholas is not the old man people are burning and this is humiliating the Christian Community.
Cajetan Peter D'souza, Mumbai
The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara, 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," 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.
Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals, murderers, thieves and robbers. He died December 6, AD in Myra. Thus this feast of St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) is celebrated on 6th December.
Unfortunately It is also observed that in Mumbai, people put the Santa Claus mask for the Old Man of the year thus insulting the stature of St. Nicholas. There is a need for people to understand that Christmas is because of Jesus Christ and not Jesus Christ because of St. Nicholas or Santa Claus. We appeal to the people of Mumbai and elsewhere that not to apply the face of Santa Claus on the Old Man but the mask of an Old man with a funny face which will represent the passing of the old year. St. Nicholas is not the old man people are burning and this is humiliating the Christian Community.
Cajetan Peter D'souza, Mumbai
