I'm not dreaming of a white Christmas

I recently heard some interesting news; Santa Claus is white.  This is according to Megyn Kelly of Fox News fame.  Like so many of you, as I have never seen Santa, I was shocked to learn that someone actually has and can give us an accurate description of his physical appearance.  I don't know how Ms. Kelly managed to get the private interview with Santa that we have all desired, but there is no doubt she is an eyewitness of the jolly old elf and if she says "Santa is white!" we have no other recourse than to believe her.

But wait!  Who is this Santa Claus, really?  Isn't he fictitious?  Is there a rotund old man who flies around with his reindeer on Christmas Eve dropping presents down chimneys?  Inquiring minds want to know!

The original Santa was indeed a kindly man.  His name was Nicholas, Bishop of Myra.  He lived in the 4th century in Myra, Lycia, Asia Minor, an area which is present-day Turkey.  He was known for his kindness and generosity, particularly towards children.  He would often help the poor, giving them gifts of food and other necessities.  Upon his death he was buried in Myra, and by the 6th century his shrine became a popular pilgrimage site.  In the 11th century his remains were stolen by Italian sailors and taken to Bari, Italy, where they still lie in a Basilica that bears his name, San Nicola.  He became the patron Saint of Russia and Greece and thousands of churches were named for him.

During the Reformation in Europe devotion to the Saints was forbidden in Protestant churches.  Only one Protestant country retained the stories and legends of the Bishop of Myra, Holland, where he was known as Sinterklaas, the Dutch version of Saint Nicholas.  The Dutch settled New Amsterdam, which became New York, and thus Sinterklaas was brought to the new world.

So what color was he?  Well, Nicholas of Myra was Greek.  Greeks in the 4th century tended to be short, dark haired, dark eyed, and swarthy.  Yes, boys and girls, Saint Nicholas was at the very least olive-complected.

Is olive-complected "white" enough for Megyn Kelly?  Will it destroy her Christmas cheer to have a dark-skinned Santa?  I always thought the popular sentiment of having a "white Christmas" referred to snow on the ground, but maybe for Ms. Kelly and others it means something else entirely.  Christmas is a celebration of the the birth of the Son of God, the very embodiment of God's love for all his children, every color included.  God is no respecter of persons, and we should be the same.

I'm dreaming of a multi-colored Christmas.  How about you?

Here is a touching rendition of my new song, "Carol of the Bigots."  Enjoy!

This a a forensic recreation of Saint Nicholas based
upon his skull.