|
|
feature articles |
Many people do not know that Santa Claus was a real person, and there is a very special story about him. He was a Christian man who lived a long time ago in the country of Turkey. His name was Nicholas, and we call him Saint Nicholas because saint means "someone who belongs to God."
He had a close friend who had no dowries to give his daughters so that they could marry. He knew that if he openly gave money to his friend, it would embarrass him. So one night Nicholas crept to an open window in his friend's house and dropped in a bag of gold coins. The bag fell open and the coins rolled into the oldest daughter's stockings and shoes.
Nicholas enjoyed helping poor people who did not have enough food, clothes, or toys for their children, so he began to do this regularly, giving secretly to people who needed things. He gave money, food, clothes, and small wooden toys for the children. He gave secretly so the people would not be embarrassed by his gifts, and so that God would be glorified instead of himself.
Nicholas also told everyone about Jesus and about how much God loved each of them. Many people became Christians and believed in Jesus because of what Nicholas said. Then some people who hated Jesus had Nicholas thrown into jail for telling about Jesus and helping people, but he continued to spread the Good News, even while he was in jail, because he loved Jesus so much. His enemies finally had him killed, on December 6.
That is why December 6 is called St. Nicholas Day: It is the day we remember this good Christian man and how he helped the poor people in Jesus' name. We put our gifts in stockings to help us remember how he secretly gave to people in need. All of the gifts that Nicholas gave and all of the gifts that we give are to remind us of the very best gift anyone ever gave: God the Father gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to us for our salvation.
Copyright (c) 2001 Carma Paden. All rights reserved. No portion may be reproduced in any fashion without express permission.
The article The Santa Dilemma suggests ways you might use this story about Saint Nicholas to help your children understand who Santa Claus really is and the truth about him, if you choose to do so.