Did you hear about the time St. Nicholas Saved Christmas? (Origin of the Nicene Creed)

Around Christmastime we can hear alot of stories about Santa Claus. Those stories can be fun sources of entertainment, but they are just ficticious fairy tales. Did you know, though, that Santa Claus is a fantastical interpretation of the real St. Nicholas? There is even a true story about a time when St. Nicholas saved the teachings of Christmas. There are several accounts of how this true event happened, however I have written this based on an account to which church tradition typically holds. Grab yourself a chair (if you got one), get cozy next to the fireplace (if there's one close by) and get ready to hear the story (if you read this out loud) about the time St. Nicholas had a part in saving the celebration of Christmas.

'Twas the year A.D. 325 and all through the world, there was contention in the church felt by every boy and girl. 

Men and women gathered to worship on bended knees, wondering if what they just heard may have been heresy.

The Deacons and Bishops argued all through the night, 'cause none of them could agree if what they were preaching was right. 

In every Roman city the pastors caused quite the scene, so a great meeting was called by the Emperor Constantine. 

Across all of Rome from a select group of households, Christians gathered in Nicaea for the first Ecumenical Council.

A depiction of the first Ecumenical Council

To this council came two preachers who were more than opposed, and they may have even thought of each other as foes.

The first was a bold Bishop who was not at all quaint. He is widely known as Nicholas the God fearing Saint.

His love for the Scriptures was deep in his heart. He believed preaching from the Bible is a perfect place to start.

He knew as it is written that on the first Christmas day, God came to the earth as a baby born in a bed full of hay.

If we all read John 1:14 as literal as anyone can, we'll agree with Nicholas that Jesus was fully God and fully man.

Unfortunately opposing this truth was a belief that was scariest, and no one promoted it more than the heretic Arius.

This man showed his followers what every blind heart can see, that God is not Jesus and there is no Trinity.

He told everyone things contrary to Colossians 1:15, that Jesus isn't God but merely a divine created being.

If you believe Jesus was good but maybe not perfect, then you'll be stuck wondering if the cross was all worh it.

You can see how this false preaching caused quite a schism, and you know about the heresy known as Arianism.

During the council when Arius was giving a speech, Nicholas thought his words were just a terrible screech.

On and an on Arius went winning Constantine's ear, and Nicholas couldn't stand it each time the Emperor cheered.

In that room Arius spread such evil and blite, going against what the shepherds heard on the first Christmas night.

Arius believed God didn't come as flesh or the Word, but angels said that Jesus was Savior and He is Christ the LORD.

Every last heresy that Arius cried and did spout, just made Nicholas want to get up and shut close his mouth!

So that's what he did.

"AUGH!!!" They all gasped at what they had seen, Nicholas just struck a Bishop which goes against Psalm 105:15.

So quickly they grabbed Nicholas with sorrowful wails, and threw that Biblical man out and right into jail.

In a prsion all chained up he had time to measure, what might have come about if he kept reign on his temper.

Yes, Christians should fight falsehoods as we understand, but we fight with the Bible and not with our hands.

So Nicholas now apart from that grand council room, wondered if the teachings of Christmas might well meet their doom.

After a long night in prison of thinking and praying, Nicholas was invited back to hear what the council was saying.

And to his astonished surprise what should he hear, that Arius was kicked out that night sent flying on his rear.

The council decided what he preached was a lie, and they hoped Arianism would just shrivel up and die.

They ruled in favor of a literal view of the Scriptures, that you have to hold fast to God's words with fervor and stricture.

And with the council finished as their final deed, they sat down and wrote out the affrimed Nicene Creed.

And it reads as follows:

So at this Christmastime with your sons and daughters, think back to the history of your dear church fathers.

To sing of the virgin birth and the greatest gift, Arianism was kicked out with some thanks to St. Nick.

It's assured in our Bibles we always will read, about the promised offspring from way bach in Genesis 3:15.

He would be called Ruler and Master among us to dwell. He is Messiah, Savior, and King. Emmanuel.

Yes, God came to earth and this we should know, He came to save everyone just as the Bible tells us so.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• St. Nicholas Center: "Persecuted, Jailed and Passionate" and "Bishop Nicholas Loses his Cool"
• Open Bible Info: Jesus Fully God and Fully Man
• Got Questions: What is Arianism?
• Britanica: First Council of Nicaea
• Reformed Church: Nicene Creed