Religion is often prone to misuse. Terrorists abuse it rather brazenly. But there’s another form of misuse — more subtle yet equally rotten in its effect. This is the cunning misuse by business enterprises and self-styled godmen. They commercialise religion. In India, commercial activity related to religion is mostly centred around the festival of Diwali. We see it in an everyday form through the sale of religious icons and trinkets at places of pilgrimage.
However, in the greater part of the world, religious commericalisation reaches its peak during Christmas season and is centred around the iconography of Santa Claus. In London, for instance, the famous Selfridges departmental store on Oxford Street starts its Christmas decoration and sale from the month of October itself.
In any case, the month of December sets the ball rolling for “Christmas shopping”. Fearing that the grownups might be more discerning in their buying, the businessman’s genius introduced Santa Claus to target unsuspecting children. And now, Santa Claus has replaced Christ the Child, the reason for Christmastide, much to the chagrin of true believers. The melodious Silent Night, Holy Night… or O! Holy Night, the Night of our dear Saviour’s birth is replaced by Santa Claus is coming to town… The paradox of Santa Claus is that while he brings good cheer to children, moreso commerce, it has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas. Santa Claus is connected to the feast of St Nicholas, also celebrated in December, with a gap of 19 days.
The feast of St Nicholas is celebrated in the Church on December 6. He was a kind and holy bishop of Myra (now in Turkey) who lived in fourth century. He disguised himself at night to go out into the streets distributing food and medicine to the sick, homeless and poor. Because of his love for the poor, he came to be venerated and was eventually declared St Nicholas (Nicholaus in Latin), by the Church.
Fortunately, as more people are becoming aware of this problematic linkage between St Nicholas and Christmas, to drive business and sales, there is a growing interest in reclaiming the original saint. Hopefully, it will help restore a spiritual dimension to this festive time. For indeed, St Nicholas, patron saint of children, is a model for how Christians are meant to live. St Nicholas put Jesus Christ at the centre of his life. Families, churches and schools are embracing the spirit of St Nicholas as a way to claim the centre of Christmas — the birth of Jesus.
Father Dominic Emmanuel, a founder-member of Parliament of Religion, can be contacted at frdominic@gmail.com
