St. Nicholas was born in Asia Minor in the fourth century A.D. He was from a wealthy family and became a bishop who was known for his great compassion and generosity. Stories of Nicholas and his kindness spread all over Europe and after he died he became known as St. Nicholas. Children in other countries celebrate St. Nicholas’ Day on December 6. The giving of gifts to children is associated with that day.
The name Santa Claus comes from the Dutch name for St. Nicholas, “Sinter Klaus.” The Dutch settled in New York (New Amsterdam at the time) and brought the custom of Sinter Klaus with them. The present folklore of Santa Claus as flying on a sleigh with eight reindeer and coming down the chimney to deliver gifts was popularized by the poem Dr. Clement C. Moore wrote for his children in 1823 called, “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” In 1863 the illustrator, Thomas Nast, gave us our current picture of Santa Claus as a fat, jolly man in a red suit trimmed with white fur and black boots. Originally, St. Nicholas was dressed like a bishop with a tall pointed hat and a long, flowing red robe.
The generosity of St. Nicholas reminds us that at Christmas our focus should be on how we can give to and bless others, particularly those who don’t have as much as we do.
St. Nicholas was a man
who lived very long ago.
The stories of his kindness
many people know.
One’s about the stocking
and the gifts we like to give.
He serves as an example
of the way that we should live.
Nicholas was quite rich,
but gave his money to the poor.
He was satisfied with little;
he didn’t think he needed more.
His life was dedicated
to serving God above,
And everywhere he went
he would show the people love.
One time when he was traveling,
he heard a tale of woe.
It made his heart quite sad
to think that people suffered so.
A poor man had three daughters,
he couldn’t even feed.
He wanted them to marry,
but a dowry they would need.
The father thought to slavery,
his daughters he would lose,
And people round the town
heard of that awful news.
Nicholas thought he’d help them.
Their situation was quite grim.
But he didn’t want to let them know
that help had come from him.
The family was so poor,
they had little they could wear,
And stockings for their feet,
they each had just one pair.
Every night they washed their socks,
then hung them up to dry,
And through the window people’d see,
as they were passing by.
Nicholas through that window
tossed a coin of solid gold.
Into a sock it landed,
or so the story’s told.
The father then had money,
the oldest daughter could be wed.
He didn’t have to worry;
he was no longer filled with dread.
Nicholas for the other two,
later did the same,
Although he never said so
and credit didn’t claim.
From this came the custom
of hanging up a sock.
Good children got some fruit in theirs;
the bad would get a rock.
A stocking should remind us
that with others we should share.
Of how other people suffer,
we need to be aware.
Every day pray about
the things that others need,
And like Nicholas be generous,
not full of selfish greed.