When I was young, no one taught me of the relationship between Santa and the Catholic Church.
I had a vague understanding that he was a Saint because of the title, "Santa" which means Saint in Spanish. My wife had a similar experience, so, in order to remedy that problem for our children, we made sure to associate the Santa in popular culture to the true Santa, Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra.
A prayer to Santa Claus (i.e. Saint Nicholas)
A Prayer to Saint Nicholas
Glorious St. Nicholas, my special patron, from thy throne in glory, where thou dost enjoy the presence of God, turn thine eyes in pity upon me and obtain for me from our Lord the graces and helps that I need in my spiritual and temporal necessities and especially this favor, provided that it be profitable to my salvation. Be mindful, likewise, O glorious and saintly Bishop, of our Sovereign Pontiff, of Holy Church, and of all Christian people. Bring back to the right way of salvation all those who are living steeped in sin and blinded by the darkness of ignorance, error, and heresy. Comfort the afflicted, provide for the needy, strengthen the fearful, defend the oppressed, give health to the infirm; cause all men to experience the effects of thy powerful intercession with the supreme Giver of every good and perfect gift. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be
V. Pray for us, O blessed Nicholas.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
O God, who has glorified blessed Nicholas, Thine illustrious Confessor and Bishop, by means of countless signs and wonders, and who dost not cease daily so to glorify him; grant, we beseech Thee, that we, being assisted by his merits and prayers, may be delivered from the fires of hell and from all dangers. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Glorious St. Nicholas, my special patron, from thy throne in glory, where thou dost enjoy the presence of God, turn thine eyes in pity upon me and obtain for me from our Lord the graces and helps that I need in my spiritual and temporal necessities and especially this favor, provided that it be profitable to my salvation. Be mindful, likewise, O glorious and saintly Bishop, of our Sovereign Pontiff, of Holy Church, and of all Christian people. Bring back to the right way of salvation all those who are living steeped in sin and blinded by the darkness of ignorance, error, and heresy. Comfort the afflicted, provide for the needy, strengthen the fearful, defend the oppressed, give health to the infirm; cause all men to experience the effects of thy powerful intercession with the supreme Giver of every good and perfect gift. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be
V. Pray for us, O blessed Nicholas.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
O God, who has glorified blessed Nicholas, Thine illustrious Confessor and Bishop, by means of countless signs and wonders, and who dost not cease daily so to glorify him; grant, we beseech Thee, that we, being assisted by his merits and prayers, may be delivered from the fires of hell and from all dangers. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
We taught them that St. Nicholas was a Bishop and his cap, is really a Mitre.
We frequently recounted the true life of Saint Nicholas.
Of course, the popular Santa is still fun. But we made sure our children knew that this is a fairy tale invented by non-Catholics.
Did it work? Yes. Our children are now, 15, 17, 25 and 27. We asked them how they felt about how my wife and I had handled the "Santa dilemma". They all agreed that, even though some of them had shed tears when they discovered that Santa wasn't literally sliding down the chimney, they wouldn't have missed the excitement for the world.
Furthermore, they all said they would do the same for their children.
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