By DAVID EPPS
Pastor

There really is a Saint Nicholas! Nicholas was born in the year 271 A.D. in Patras in Asia Minor. In his youth, Nicholas was intensely interested in the Scriptures and had very little time or inclination for childhood games and boyish pursuits. When his parents died and left him a substantial inheritance, young Nicholas had no desire to keep the legacy for himself and determined to dispose of it secretly.

For example, Nicholas heard of a man who had three marriageable daughters but, because he did not have the dowry, which was so necessary in those days, he was considering selling his daughters into slavery. On three separate occasions, Nicholas dropped a bag of gold through a window so that each of the young women would have a dowry and be able to marry. Some say that he dropped the bags of gold down a chimney. One of the accounts relates that one of the bags of gold rolled into a stocking, where the gift was discovered the next morning. The father eventually discovered the identity of the benefactor, but Nicholas swore him to secrecy.

Young Nicholas, divested of his worldly wealth, dedicated himself to God and entered a monastery. After being ordained a priest, Father Nicholas left the cloister to live among the common people. Father Nicholas of Patras, as he was known, was renowned for his kindness, his generosity, and his genial personality. Young children "adopted" him as their favorite priest and followed him through the streets as he ministered.

During his lifetime, Father Nicholas was credited with saving the people of the city from a terrible famine and opposed the rule of the Roman Empire, preaching consistently and courageously against it. Nicholas was also reputed to visit orphans and comfort them with little gifts.

Upon the death of the archbishop of Myra, the oldest of the bishops declared that, in a dream, he saw the cathedral door opening the next day. He was told in the dream that the first person who came through the door, whose name would be Nicholas, was to be consecrated as the next archbishop.

Father Nicholas, who was traveling by ship, encountered a violent storm and asked God to bring calm to the seas. Arriving in Myra, he visited the cathedral to offer prayers and thanksgiving for deliverance from the storm and to receive Holy Communion. To his very great surprise, he was greeted by cheers and immediately consecrated the archbishop of Myra. Archbishop Nicholas of Myra and Lycia died on Dec. 6, 343 A.D.

In the ninth century Nicholas was canonized by the Church and eventually elevated to sainthood, becoming known in history as St. Nicholas. The Feast Day of St. Nicholas is Dec. 6 and is celebrated to this day. In 1000 A.D., the legends and fame of Nicholas were brought into Russia and he became the patron saint of that nation, even as he was already in Greece.

Over time, he became the patron saint of other nations and was given a title, "Kris Kringle," which means, "Christ helper." As time passed, St. Nicholas became known as "St. Nikalaus." Somewhere along the line, the "Ni" was dropped and, in some locations, he was referred to as "St. Calaus." From there, it was a very short jump to St. Claus, or Santa Claus.

So, here's to old St. Nick - the patron saint of Christmas, archbishop of Myra and Lycia, patron saint of Russia and Greece (and a host of other nations), faithful priest in the Church, and beloved father and shepherd to those in his generation.

So, when your children ask if there really is a Santa Claus, assure them that, indeed, there is, and then tell them the true story of Kris Kringle, the "Christ helper," who brought gifts to the poorest and most lonely of children.

[Father David Epps is rector of Christ the King Charismatic Episcopal Church, serving the south Atlanta area. He may be contacted at FatherDavidEpps@aol.com Or at www.ChristTheKingCEC.com.]

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