(This is part 3 of our “Santa Was a Ministry Rockstar” series. For parts 1 and 2, click here or here.)
The Santa we know and love was called Nicholas (280? – 343 AD). He preached, taught, and served in Myra, a sizable town on the southern coast of Turkey. He loved his church, his community, and his Jesus.
But the most compelling things about Santa Claus aren’t his chimney-sliding skills, wrapping abilities, or his fondness for nordic reindeer.
Before all the tinsel and egg nog, Santa was a pretty incredible guy who did remarkable things in the world of children’s and youth ministry.
Santa was, in fact, a ministry rockstar. Nicholas was a courageous leader.
The political climate of 4th century Turkey was pretty tense. It was common to see sword-wielding soldiers strutting through town. The people who lived in Myra (near the coastal town of Andriaki) would have been accustomed to seeing troops stock up in town on their way to quell rebellions across the empire.
Most people had become used to constant military presence.
But there were some who resented it.
One day, a ship made port in Andriaki, sending three soldiers on the 3-mile walk to Myra for bread, wine, and provisions. Knowing that there were soldiers in town, some malicious townspeople took advantage of the situation—they donned mock-uniforms and began looting businesses and homes in Myra.
In another part of town, residents mistook the actual soldiers for the troublemakers, mobbed them, bound their hands, and led them off the to Prefect for their supposed crime. Within minutes, the falsely accused soldiers had their faces covered, and were taken to the executioner – fully expecting death.
The story goes that at the moment the executioner’s sword was raised, Nicholas arrived, commanded him to stop, grabbed the executioner’s sword, and threw it to the ground. He freed the soldiers, and then headed off to deal with the Prefect. Incensed, Nicholas chastised him for the wrongful persecution of three innocent lives.
Nicholas stepped in and cleaned house.
You might serve in a ministry context where you’re regularly asked to extend yourself beyond what’s comfortable.
Visiting a student in prison or drug rehab.
Walking with a teen through the dark valley of depression.
Counseling a student through an unplanned pregnancy.
Visiting a family who’s dealing with the death of a child.
These are the times you hoped would never happen.
At times like these, it’s helpful to remember that the most transformational events in your ministry are the ones you can’t plan. I doubt that Nicholas got up that morning and said “Hey – I think I’ll step in the line of fire and save some lives today.” But was able to respond with gut-level courage because he wasn’t too busy to act.
