The Neuroscience of Christmas
The Secret to Calming the Nervous System
In the early fourth century, in the coastal Roman city of Myra, a father of three daughters fell on hard times.
A previously wealthy man, he fell into poverty which meant that he no longer had enough money to arrange weddings for his daughters. In the early 300’s AD, this meant more than just social collapse. The daughters would have to be sold into prostitution.
Meanwhile, at his church, the Bishop learned of his parishioner’s hardship and took matters into his own hands.
Cloaked by the darkness of night, he made his way to the man’s house, stepped up onto a ledge and dropped a bag of gold coins through the open window.
The next evening, he did it again. This time, three more coins for the man’s second daughter.
On the third night, with a third bag of gold prepared for the third daughter, as he reached up towards the window, the family was ready for him. They wanted to meet their hero.
It was their priest, Nicholas of Myra.
Saint Nicholas.
Santa Claus.
I have this painting hung over my desk because I believe that it is the great secret to chronic pain relief.
Your brain serves as the gatekeeper to pain.
Its mechanism is simple.
Every moment of your life, your brain uses your senses (vision, hearing, smell, taste and touch) to evaluate the world around you.
Remember, the brain is a two-million year old protection device. It’s top priority is survival.
When your brain perceives safety, it relaxes. YOU relax. You feel loose, the shoulders come down, your heart rate drops. This best version of you exists in this state. It’s in this state that the pain-free version of you exists too.
But when the brain perceives danger, it activates your fight or flight system. The heart rate rises, the pupils dilate, your ribs flare and your pelvis tilts forward. It’s preparing you to fight your enemy.
What was originally installed as a primal response to escaping life-threatening experiences for humans thousands of years ago, today, the brain gets a little confused.
In today’s world, the brain is incorrectly perceiving danger in everyday experiences. It perceives danger at work, in social situations and even simply by scrolling through Instagram.
Our ancient brains haven’t caught up to 2025 yet.
For many chronic pain sufferers, this is the missing link. They’ve tried all of the traditional methods of treatment but have yet to address the system holding the key…the nervous system.
I have watched so many miracles occur inside our office simply by getting the brain to open the door.
So, where does jolly old Saint Nick come in?
Remember, the brain is a survival machine. When it is up-regulated and activating fight-or-flight, it believes that your very survival is in danger.
You are now tasked with convincing it that it is safe.
Giving is the most profound way I have found to make that happen.
When you are a giver, you are sending the signal to the brain that everything is OK. “I’m taken care of.”
You are looking beyond yourself.
In a battle for survival, the brain can only focus on itself.
When relaxed, when fear and anxiety fade away, the brain will look to others. It can be generous.
To a survival brain, generosity is proof of safety.
In fact, I find it so powerful, that I have made it the sole core value for the Saint Bartholomew organization. Every decision gets run through the filter of giving.
In the early 4th century, in Myra, a Roman port city, Saint Nicholas quietly intervened to help someone in need—without being seen, thanked, or remembered.
What he revealed was the secret to conquering the nervous system.
Further Reading:
If you want to see how this framework is actually applied, I’ve documented it in my book. I’ll send you a complimentary copy here.