December 6th was St. Nicholas Day... a day to remember a devoted follower of Christ who lived in Patara, Lycia (part of Greece in Nicholas' time, but today lies on the southern coast of Turkey).
There is not a whole lot documented about Nicholas... but this we do know...
Nicholas came from a very wealthy family and his parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died when he was quite young... leaving him a vast fortune.
Nicholas followed Jesus' words that appear in three of the four gospels...
"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."
Mark 10:21 (New Living Translation)
Nicholas used his inheritance to take care of the sick, destitute and the needy and at a very young age 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 Greek saint.
There was a story/legend of how Nicholas supplied the dowry for three destitute sisters by throwing money through their window in three stockings, 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 the act so beautiful... and as a small child I was captivated with the generosity and concern of this great man!
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.
His name and story grew as did his legend until he became the Santa Claus we know today. But like too many things, the original man and Christian roots of his story have become lost in today's commercialism and... well, greed!
I am not a Santa basher... oh, no! I certainly don't want to be put on the naughty list!
BUT...
We all must keep the true meaning of Christmas alive!
Christmas is a religious holiday.
It is a celebration to remember the birth of OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST... period!
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!
FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN, A SON IS GIVEN.
Isaiah 9:6-7
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... just like Bishop Nicholas did so many centuries ago!
When I was a very little girl I had a Christmas book, long since gone, that told the story of this Greek saint.
There was a story/legend of how Nicholas supplied the dowry for three destitute sisters by throwing money through their window in three stockings, 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 the act so beautiful... and as a small child I was captivated with the generosity and concern of this great man!
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.
His name and story grew as did his legend until he became the Santa Claus we know today. But like too many things, the original man and Christian roots of his story have become lost in today's commercialism and... well, greed!
I am not a Santa basher... oh, no! I certainly don't want to be put on the naughty list!
BUT...
We all must keep the true meaning of Christmas alive!
Christmas is a religious holiday.
It is a celebration to remember the birth of OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST... period!
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!
FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN, A SON IS GIVEN.
Isaiah 9:6-7
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... just like Bishop Nicholas did so many centuries ago!
Amen & amen!
ReplyDeletem ^..^
Beautifully written Yvonne!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Cindy
PERFECT.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed today's blog. Thank you for sharing yours and my thoughts of the true meaning of Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThis was a beautiful post and so needed at this time of the year.
ReplyDeleteThanks for bringing some beauty into our lives.
Denise
Amen, sister. Beautifully said. There's a reason "CHRIST" is in the word Christmas....if only everyone believed...!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written!
ReplyDeleteKaren
I love the story of St. Nicholas and even though we know that Christmas is about the birth of our Savior, I love to see that spirit of giving and unselfish love shown and bestowed on others. Santa Claus has always been dear to my heart even so. I love making my old world Santas and always hope they will inspire those living in the homes and families they go to with the true meaning of Christmas. I wish you well in you surgery recovery and hope it is going well for you. Did you have knee replacement. Both knees, that is a big bite to chew!! I am scheduled to have one done tomorrow afternoon, so I will be in bed in the same pose for a while. Thank you for sharing the story of St. Nicholas....he is not often talked about in all the commercial chaos that so clouds the true meaning of this most blessed event in the history of the world. Blessings and Merry Christmas to you, Yvonne. Linda
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that meaningful story and for sharing God on your site. Oh that He would be welcomed I every home.
ReplyDeleteSue P.
Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the post and began looking at available story books for my grandchildren on amazon. There are many! If you or someone reading this has a recommendation on which book would be a good read a loud for children under 10 I would love to know. Some seemed to "create" the story rather than an accurate account. I would love to challenge my grand children with this story keeping it an authentic telling of a young mans life. thanks Yvonne for sharing. Praying you continue to heal and have a blessed Christmas with family and friends.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story!
ReplyDeleteAMEN!! God Bless you and your family! here's to a speedy recovery.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this story.
ReplyDeleteLocal Methodist church has a sign out this month that says " I am also making a list and checking it twice...Love, God " :)
ReplyDelete