The original legend tells of fourth-century bishop Niklaus of Myra, on the southern coast of what is now Turkey; he is credited with giving various anonymous gifts to people in need. As the name Niklaus was spread from one country to another, it took a variety of forms: Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus became the most prominent in the English-speaking world.

“Anonymous gifts to people in need” is a far cry from how the legend has come to be told in America, especially in the last several decades. In the various Santa movies, or in our culture’s celebration of Christmas as a whole, there is little that is recognizably Christian.

This poses a problem. It is easiest, in the short term, to let the tide of commercialism sweep us along at Christmastime, though we will usually do so with an uneasy conscience. It is more challenging – yet far more satisfying – to take a deliberate stand for a Christian celebration.

Yet a contemporary family could come to a decision about how they want to put their faith into practice. It might include limiting purchases and finding ways to express care for one another that are personal rather than financial, such as creating gifts with our own hands or scheduling round-robin family affirmations of love. In place of all the energy invested in shopping, a family could strengthen its Advent devotions, celebrating the anticipation and fulfillment of God’s love for us, given in the incarnation of Jesus.

A family could include a remembrance of Niklaus in this effort by giving anonymous gifts to people in need. This could be explained, even to quite young children: “Different families remember the story of Saint Niklaus different ways. But the way our family practices it is like this.”