The Real "Sinterklaas"

The nicknames are endless... Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, Santa, Father Christmas, etc.. but the truth is that in the country of Turkey (weird?).. a generous bishop by the name of Nicholas was known in his community to be a "secret" gift-giver and a very generous man in the 4th century. Due to his amazing sense of generosity and giving (particularly to the poor, small children, and struggling sailors), he was dubbed "Nikolaos the Wonderworker". He was known to drop coins into the shoes of those who left them out for him while everyone slept.. and after his death... the world (especially the church) did not forget him. His "random acts of culture" would later make him a perfect model for Santa Claus.

Thousands of churches.. yes churches... decided almost 700 years after his death to celebrate his life by also carrying out his generosity and giving gifts and/or charity. This was held originally on December 6th. 400 years later and throughout the Reformation, the world forgot.. and the tradition dwindled.. however the Netherlands continued the tradition of charity and gifts even during this dark time... they came over to America and passed the tradition along.. once a year.. they placed their wooden shoes out to await the generosity of another.. he was dubbed "Sinterklaas" which the English language pronounced as "Santa Claus".

With Christmas looming over us.. countdown.. 20 days.. It really is all about giving... If you think about the perfect gift... there is none comparable to the gift God gave us when he sent Jesus into the world.. He also was a gift giver... generous to the poor and sinful... a father to the fatherless.. widowed... and orphan... he is a friend to the lonely... and hurting.. and unlike Santa... does not come around once a year..

Jesus's "random acts of culture" took the world by storm.. and like Saint Nick... we have never forgot him... It is amazing how the world remembers generosity... We are in this world.. not for ourselves.. but to instill hope, vision, and a love that is so mind-boggling... we must embrace it... and give.. maybe not just with money.. but our time... our ears... our hands...

We need to rediscover Christmas... rediscover Christ.. and celebrate the Gift many of us daily take for granted!!!!

Watch this video.. to see a random act of culture when 650 Philadelphia choristers and the world's largest pipe organ, showed up at a mall on October 30, 2010, and stopped shoppers in their tracks.. by focusing the attention on the greatness of a Savior...