| The time is around 320 A.D. The area's leading bishop is Nicholas. He
wears a bright red bishop's cape with a tall miter hat, is especially fond of children and
relishes gift giving. When the Protestant Reformation came along, much was done to
lessen the popularity of Saint Nicholas. So a much more secular figure took his place...
Father Christmas... Papa Noel... Santa Claus.
This time of year the world has done much to secularize Christmas. But Christmas has
done more to redeem the world. |