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SUNDAY  December 4, 2005   Rev. Sandy Dodson "Santa Meets God"

God:    Who are you?! Hey, didn’t we meet up around this time last year?

Santa: Yes, as a matter of fact, we did. My name is Santa, Santa Claus. Ho Ho Ho.

God:   Yes! You’re the chap that began as St. Nicholas. You have a feast day
           coming this week – Tuesday, December 6.

Santa: Imagine that… Do people give ME presents Tuesday?

God:    Don’t you wish… Why don’t you share with the folks here a little bit about
           your history? Not everyone heard or remembers details of our last visit.

Santa: St. Nicholas was an early Christian bishop who presided over Myra, a city
            in what we now know as Turkey. Today in America I am known as Santa
            Claus and my story is legend.

God:   For the record, my story goes beyond legend. My story begins quite a few
           thousand years before your story, Mr. Claus. My story has no actual place
           or time of beginning because I have always existed. I created space and
           time. My story took shape in the lives of a people I chose, the Hebrew
           people. I was not just their bishop. I AM WHO I AM, YAHWEH, GOD.

Santa: Alright already, God. We get it. You asked me to share my history. The
           most familiar story about me begins, 'Twas the night before Christmas...

God:   The most familiar beginning line of my story is "In the beginning God
           created the heavens and the earth..."  I’m sorry Santa. Tell us about
           your predecessor, St. Nicholas.

Santa: Well, I don't resemble him much anymore. He was only a youth when he
           became a high church official and was known as the "Boy Bishop." He
           loved children, I know that. But most of all he was known for his
           generosity.

God:   Ah, I like that. To be generous, to share with others, that’s my idea of love.

Santa: Nicholas was the most popular saint in Christian history! He was the
           ultimate gift giver. He expected nothing in return for his good deeds. He
           took Jesus’ words and life to heart.

God:   Thank you for making that point, Santa.

Santa: I have you to thank, God.  Last year our conversation left an impression
           on me.

God:   I knew you were a caring old soul.

Santa: How old do you think I am?!  If I were you, I’d be careful about calling me
           “old.”

God:   Let’s not go down that road. Tell us again how St. Nicholas evolved into
          Santa Claus?

Santa: Like I said before, the Bishop was a special friend to children and so he
           baked bread himself with sugar and spices from exotic lands.
           He gave these breads to the children. Some American cookie cutters still
           show the pointed miter of a bishop's hat.

God:   Jesus shared bread with children. I wonder if Christmas cookies would be
           acceptable at the communion table? Maybe as a side dish.

Santa: Dutch sailors took reports of the bishop's generosity back home to
           Holland. His generosity was not limited to children. Tales of St. Nicholas’
           good deeds traveled quickly. As a result, the Feast of St. Nicholas was
           established. December 6 it was! In Europe St. Nicholas was portrayed as
           a saint riding a horse carrying a basket of gifts for good children. Naughty
          children received birch rods, or spankings.

God:   Are you getting the picture folks?

Santa: I'm not called St. Nicholas anymore. My American name is Santa Claus.

God:   More than your name has changed. Why, to most you're a fat jolly
           character that has taken over Christmas.

Santa: Well, when the Dutch came to America they put together a more Dutch-
           American saint. He wore a broad brimmed hat, smoked a Dutch pipe, and
           his churchly robe was replaced with short breeches. A man named
           Washington Irving pictured me as a jolly, chubby fellow riding through the
           air on a sleigh with reindeer. Ironically, it was a man of the cloth that
           added the finishing touches.

God:   No harm was intended.

Santa: A minister wrote a poem for his children. He called it "A Visit from St.
            Nicholas." Later it became known as, The Night Before Christmas. His
            name was Clement C. Moore.

God:   Thanks, Santa, for helping us connect the faith and life of St. Nicholas with
           his role model, Jesus.

Santa: Wouldn’t you agree that most people connect you with me more than they
           connect me and Jesus?

God:   You’ve got that right! We both are depicted with that frumpy grandpa look,
           and of course white flowing beards and twinkling blue eyes.

Santa: Kids write letters to me.

God:   People say prayers to me that often sound like letters to you!

Santa: I deliver gifts by sleigh and reindeer, elves help me.

God:   I guess it's no harder to believe in reindeer flying than in angels flying.

Santa: Kids think I know everything...like if they've been bad or good just before
           Christmas.

God:   They know that I know everything - all year 'round.

Santa: No wonder kids get confused.

God:   Oh, it's not just kids. Grown ups are confused too.

Santa: I’m sorry.

God:   Me too.  St. Nicholas is an Advent saint, not Christmas. His job was
           to remind people of me, of my generosity. To witness to others the radical
           love and welcome I extend to everyone. One of my most precious gifts to
           the world was Jesus. Jesus is the reason for the season.
           Nicholas taught people how to give through his deeds, He taught us to
           give in secret, with no thought of getting a gift  in return.

Santa: But unfortunately, people have forgotten. Is that my fault?

God:   It’s not your fault, Santa. People like to give and receive gifts.
           Stores, then advertising took advantage of this fact. They watered
           down the profound and religious aspects of St. Nicholas. In a sense they
           dressed St. Nicholas and me in a red snowsuit. They changed
           the bishop's prayers into a chuckling ho-ho-ho.
           It's time people thought again about the meaning of Advent and
           Christmas. Greed has taken over for generosity. People fill their lives
           with things while others need food, medical care, quality schools, housing
           and families. There are endless issues of justice to address.

Santa: Is there a place for me, God?

God:   I think with some reminders about your purpose in Christmas you could
           still fit in. People need to think in terms of quality, not quantity.
           Instead of overextending budgets and energies, we need to focus on
           being present to one another.

Santa: Amen brother, sister, father, mother, whatever your name is!

God:   For now, God will do.

Santa: Last year I was much more in a hurry. I had to rush off. Could you tell me
           a little more about Jesus and Christmas?

God:   I’d love to! I’ve been around a long time. Time, hmmm. Time is a people
          construct. While I created light and darkness, I left concepts like day, night,
          years, months and days alone. People need structure. I understand that.
          Jesus is a response to that need actually.

Santa: Jesus was your reminder to people that structure, categories and rules
            must have your commandments at their core.

God:   Exactly! I try to keep it simple. All I require is that my people do justice,
           love kindness and walk humbly with me.  When things get particularly out
           of line, when people put themselves or unjust rules above me or insist on
           killing in my name and ignore my correctives, I just  have to speak up.

Santa: So why did Jesus come as a helpless baby?

God:   Babies are so cute! Who can’t love a little baby? With all the grief I get, I
          wanted to have part of me cuddled a while. Okay, there’s more to the
          story. I wanted people to know me better. I could tell that they needed
          someone to follow, someone more visible than “God.” I wanted them to
          always know that I am part of their lives and world, that I really do
          know about suffering and how unfair life is sometimes. Be not afraid. I am
          with you always.

Santa: So Christmas is about celebrating Jesus’ birthday and all that your coming
           means. And Advent is about getting ready for that gift, your gift, God with
           us!      Bring it on, John the Baptist! Prepare the way! Prepare our hearts!

God:   In this mysterious and wonderful world, Jesus is received with mixed
           feelings. He is considered a savior by many. Someone who saves people
           from hell or lives of quiet desperation. Jesus is experienced as THE way
           to me by millions. There are many ways to know me, Santa.

Santa: I have lots of helpers this time of year. What about our teaming up and
           sending an Advent wake up call to all who will listen?

God:   Splendid idea, Santa! Behold!! Jesus is coming and Jesus is here.
          God is still speaking! And she says, Be of mercy and good works all the
          days of your life. Dare to welcome the stranger and enemy, especially the
          one whose faith is unlike yours.
          Be not afraid, for I am with you, ALWAYS.

Santa: And all the people said, AMEN!