I believe in Santa … do you?
Posted on 17. Dec, 2009 by Nick the Geek in All, Youth Pastor
Ok so tonight was wild. The students were wound up like nobody’s business. At one point I ended up really laying into them because it was terrible. I feel a bit bad but seriously, even the “good” ones were being a serious problem. After I laid into them it was better. The sad part is I was loud enough that they all shut up and I didn’t even use my mic for that part. I don’t really need it but I use it so I can speak softly and still be heard.
Anyways, we were mythbusting Santa and let me tell you, St. Nick is a bad a$$. He is my new hero. They guy lived before Christmas but also lived to see the advent of Christmas (if you are Catholic you’ll get that pun). He was born into a wealthy family and inherited the wealth at a relatively young age and then gave it all away. He became bishop but was imprisoned for many years because it was illegal to be a Christian. Constantine becomes a Christian and pardons all the Christians still alive in prison so St. Nick gets out. Eventually he attends the council of Nicea and gets so ticked at Arius for the heresy he was trying to get everyone to adopt that he gets up, walks across the room and punches the guy.
St. Nick was hardcore. Ten they toss him back in jail after stripping him of his bishop robes, but Jesus and Mary visit him in his jail cell and Nick says he was offended for Christ and they give him new robes and the Gospel so when the council finds him the next day they let him back in.
I like him better than St. Augustine who was also pretty amazing.
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Dec 17th, 2009
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Matt_TCoNP
Dec 17th, 2009
Great post, Nick. I'm suddenly getting the feeling I need to be studying more saints. I don't really know any of them!
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Nick the Geek
Dec 17th, 2009
I had some real basic knowledge of St. Nick that I tell my kids but I found a great site that gives a lot more detail in a real sort of way. It was great for presenting to the students. Discovering the truth about Santa Claus. I bet there are sites like this for other saints too.
bondChristian
Dec 17th, 2009
I'm with Matt on this one. I actually tried to learn more about "Santa" this year, but couldn't find much that caught my attention through the ol' google search. Thanks for bringing it up though. I had no idea about him punching anyone. I think many "Saints" get a bad rap because they're "Saints" when really many of them have some great stories.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
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Nick the Geek
Dec 17th, 2009
I replied to Matt with a site that I got a lot of into from. You should check it if you want to know more about the real St. Nicholas. After reading some of what he did I'm wanting to learn more than just the theology side of their lives.
Helen
Dec 17th, 2009
Great pun. I didn't know the story about him punching someone over heresy. I know more of the sanitized children's version (though I do know that there was more to the dowry in the stockings than just the girls becoming old maids….) Thanks for sharing this. I love learning more about the saints. I love it when we get an opportunity to see them in action, so to speak. I get that we need prayer and contemplation, but I like seeing saints punch people.
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Nick the Geek
Dec 17th, 2009
I knew you'd appreciate it. I had to explain it to my wife and when I dropped it in youth no one bit. I have a couple of students from Catholic families but they weren't really raised RCC so they didn't get it either.
Nick the Geek
Dec 17th, 2009
I knew you'd appreciate it. I had to explain it to my wife and when I dropped it in youth no one bit. I have a couple of students from Catholic families but they weren't really raised RCC so they didn't get it either.
PS, I want to see more stories about Saints kicking but and taking names.
@gmbrannan
Dec 17th, 2009
I really like St. Thomas Aquinas. He was a thinker, and way ahead of his time. Dawkins et al wouldn't stand a chance if he were alive today!.
I did not know that Nicholas punched Arius, though. Cool!
Nick the Geek
Dec 17th, 2009
I know right? Makes me proud to share his name. Aquinas would rock today but out modern Christian Theologians and Philosophers destroy Dawkins et al in every debate they hold, which is why they try to avoid debates. Also I'm betting Aquinas would pimp slap Arius if he were there.
jasonS
Dec 17th, 2009
Plus he’s got a cool, geeky name too…
Nick the Geek
Dec 17th, 2009
The best name.
sherrymeneley
Dec 17th, 2009
I'm digging all the St Nick stories this year. Last night our youth pastor said how Santa was just as important as Jesus at Christmas. I think some parents got a little edgy at that point, but it all worked out as he told the story of St Nicolas, and the three sisters and how he saved one from being sold into slavery.
Oh and BTW – kids last night were a freakin' mess. Shhhhh Sssshhhhh SSSHHHH (Shut Up!). Usually our youth pastor tells them he will "rip their arms off" or something cool like that… or we just send them to the naughty chairs in the back. Good times! So, don’t even give it another thought about yelling at the kids – trust me, they aren’t thinking about it. No one is saying “remember when Nick flipped and got all megaphone voice on us?” Yeah, that’s not happening.
PS: aside from Santa…I'm a big fan of Saint Francis of Assisi – I think it's a girly "I love animals" thing. Plus his statue looks the coolest.
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Nick the Geek
Dec 17th, 2009
Yeah I told them that story and a couple others. I might threaten to rip their freakin arms off if they're wound up like that again. Francis of Assisi needs a wicked cool statue with that name.
sherrymeneley
Dec 17th, 2009
WHERE did you get the cool category cloud swirly thing? I just noticed it and it's over the top awesome.
My recent post Visual of the Week: Santa vs Jesus
sherrymeneley
Dec 17th, 2009
WHERE did you get the cool category cloud swirly thing? I just noticed it and it's over the top awesome.
My recent post Visual of the Week: Santa vs Jesus