Do you know that tomorrow is St. Nicholas Day? It’s a day to remember a devoted follower of Christ who became the prototype for Santa Claus. I love the stories I learned about the real St. Nicholas as a child and remember them today in honor of St. Nicholas Day.
There was a real man behind the story of Santa Claus. His name was Nicholas.
Nicholas lived in Patara, Lycia in the third century. Lycia is part of southern modern day Turkey.
He and his parents were devout Christians who loved Jesus. His parents died in an epidemic when Nicholas was young and Nicholas inherited a great fortune.
Nicolas used this fortune to help the poor. He followed Jesus’ words that appear in all four gospels…
As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.”
“Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”
Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Mark 10: 17-22
So impressed by this gospel story, Nicholas took Jesus’ instructions to heart and obeyed them.
Nicholas used his inheritance to take care of the sick, destitute, and the needy and as a very young man became the Bishop of Myra.
He was renowned for his love of children and his great care for the poor and suffering.
When I was a very little girl I had a Christmas book, long since gone, that told the story of this Turkish saint.
I love the story of how Nicholas supplied the dowry for three destitute sisters by throwing money through their window in three stockings hanging on the mantel to dry, as he would give his gifts anonymously.
This great act of kindness saved the sisters from an unsavory life!
The illustration in my Christmas book captured Bishop Nicholas in these acts of love so beautiful that as a small child I was captivated by his generosity and concern.
Nicholas, the gift-giving, Christ-following, Bishop of Myra is the original Santa Claus!
He was beloved far and wide for his love of Christ and the outpouring of that love to others through gifts and money.
Children in Holland started the tradition of leaving their shoes out by the fireplace or outside their bedroom door for Sinterklaas to leave small toys and treats in them.
Nicholas’ name and story grew as did his legend until he became the Santa Claus we know today.
Originally, Christmas was a day to remember the birth of Emanuel. God coming down to earth in human flesh. His mission was clear. To save men who could not save themselves and to restore peace between God and men.
We all must keep the true meaning of Christmas alive!
It is a day of celebration for all Christ-followers which often includes gift giving!
As you celebrate the Christmas season remember gift-giving is an outpouring of the greatest gift God has given humanity, HIS SON!
Let’s give gifts in the spirit of St Nicholas with the love of Jesus in mind.
It is a time to care for the needy the poor and the suffering in the name of Jesus just like Bishop Nicholas did so many centuries ago!
My little grandchildren will be coming for a Christmas visit. And they will put their shoes outside their bedroom door on Christmas Eve so Santa can fill them.
This year, some of them are old enough to hear and understand the beautiful story of Nicholas and how he used what he had to honor Jesus and help others.
I hope you are blessed by knowing the story of the real Santa Clause!
Merry and Blessed Christmas!
Thank you for this beautiful reminder of the reason for the season. Grateful our paths crossed.
God bless and Merry Christmas
I am too Susan! Merry Christmas
My husband’s family are Dutch immigrants in Canada and I l learned this story and custom from them. I usually get him Dutch licorice and stropwaffels for December 6th.
How lovely, Jude
Love your Sunday messages!
❤️
Such a beautiful post. Blessings to you
THANK you Renae, God bless you!
Thank you for this post, I do not remember ever hearing the history of Nicholas. My grandparents came to America from Hungary and my mother followed the St. Nicholas tradition she learned from her parents – I would leave my shoe out on December 5th and wake up December 6th, St. Nicholas Day, with a shoe full of goodies! However, as an adult, reading the “backstory” about the real Nicholas and how he gave to the poor in the spirit of Jesus warms my heart so much more than even the candy I received as a child.
I come from a Hungarian background too! Although we did not celebrate St Nicholas Day I celebrate it on Christmas Eve with my grandchildren and read them the story of the Real St Nick.
My mother always told us this story about St. Nicolas ! As children we put our shoes out the night of the before his Feast Day. I in turn did this for my 3 daughters. They are now passing this onto their children. The grandchildren range in age from 6months old ( Nikolas !) to 8 years old. This story warmed my heart and I’m sure so many others today ! I told my sister “ our Mummy would be proud!! Thank you for sharing St. Nick’s beautiful story !! Merry Christmas to you and your family 😘
Thank you for this very informative post. I learned many things I never knew. Thanks again for sharing. Happy holidays
Hi Yvonne,
Thank you for sharing the history of St. Nicholas. I live in Holland and have just celebrated St Nicholas with my twin girls. One of them asked me whether Santa was based on the story of St Nicholas or vice versa… so I will share your blog post with her. I am sure that she’ll be delighted with it – you’ve written it with so much love and care
In the German speaking countries, St. Nicholas Day is celebrated. Children leave their shoes out the night before for St. Nick to fill with goodies. Sometimes there might be a visit from St. Nicholas, who often traveled with the Krampus. If children were bad, the Krampus threatened to take them away! As you might imagine, every child promised to behave well when faced with the Krampus!
Being of Austrian descent, my son left his shoes out and always got a small gift, some chocolates and an orange. The treats a few weeks before Christmas took “the edge off” of waiting for Santa, especially with all the commercial hype bombarding us all. It allowed us to focus more on the birthday of Jesus.
I loved your story about St. Nickolas. Is there a copy of your story that I can print for my grandkids or perhaps the name of a book about St. Nickolas?
Thanks you and Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Just copy and print this one Pam! Merry Christmas!
Thank you for this story. I have been meaning to do some research about St Nick and this has got me started. I am a mother of three xhikdren under 7 and have recently joined your blog. I love all the inspirations so far, especially since it is Christmas and I want to thank uou for helping me make Christmas special for my little flock this year.
Hi Julia, I’m so glad you now know the story of St Nick. What a wonderful Christmas you must have with tree little ones!
How beautiful. I have never heard this story. Thank you for sharing with us. I am enjoying reading your blog and look forward to reading more. Merry Christmas!