The True Saint Nicholas: Why He Matters to Christmas

by William J. Bennett

“Here is the beginning and the end of life,” Ignatius of Antioch had written. “Faith is the beginning, the end is love.” In

When he grew quite old, and his beard was full white, he found that often his greatest joy came in the presence of children. He sat with them in church or in the agora, teaching them about God’s love and listening to their innocent hearts. Then he knew the truth of Jesus’ words: “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14 NASB).

SEVERAL HUNDRED YEARS AGO, Spanish kings controlled the Netherlands. The Spanish court sent governors to look after Dutch ports and bishops to look after Dutch souls. From time to time, a Spanish bishop would appear in Holland and make himself known by distributing gifts to children and the needy. That is why Dutch children can tell you with assuredness all about Sinterklaas, as they call Saint Nicholas. Sinterklaas lives in Spain and visits the Netherlands once a year dressed in a bishop’s red finery.