The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. St. Nicholas has become known worldwide as the protector of students and all children.
He was a real person, not a fairy, and was so noted for his great generosity that he became a symbol of gift giving throughout the world in many guises, such as England’s Father Christmas, Holland’s Sinterklaas, and Santa Claus in the United States. In many places St. Nicholas is the main gift giver. His feast day, St. Nicholas Day, is December 6.
St. Nicholas Day
In_Europe, December 6th is known as “Little Christmas” where children leave their shoes by the front door the previous night and awake to find small gifts and trinkets left in them. . A part of that tradition included an orange at the toe of the stocking. St. Nicholas gifts are meant to be shared, not hoarded for oneself.
St. Nicholas was very religious from an early age. His wealthy parents died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young and he was raised by his uncle. Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering
Most famous is the story of three girls who lived in such poverty that their father, unable to support them, prepared to sell them into slavery. Learning of their plight Nicholas rescued them by providing each daughter with a bag of gold. For this reason, he is seen as a patron saint of young girls and brides
He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and thus became the model for Santa Claus
In other stories St. Nicholas worked miracles to save a boy from slavery, saved three theology students on a journey, calmed the sea to save a ship, and saved a city from famine. St. Nicolas did many kind and generous deeds in secret, expecting nothing in return
How to celebrate St. Nicholas day?
-tell a story of St. Nicholas’ generous example of giving in secret to those in need.
-focus on giving more than receiving: St. Nicholas cared for the needy
-emphasize small treats and family fun
-offer a spiritual dimension to gift giving