The Real St. Nick
There was a real St. Nicholas. Read the story of this holy man whose generosity and love for Jesus and children inspire the modern-day Santa Claus.
Did you know that December 6th was 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 as we get close to Christmas Eve when Santa Claus comes to town!
There was a real man behind the story of Santa Claus. His name was Nicholas.
Who Was Saint 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 needy, and, as a very young man, he became the Bishop of Myra.
He was renowned for his love of children and his great care for the poor and suffering.
My St. Nick Story
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 a bag of gold coins 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 of prostitution!
The illustration in my Christmas book captured Bishop Nicholas in these acts of love so beautifully that, as a small child, I was captivated by his generosity and concern.
Nicholas And His Generosity
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.
St. Nicholas Day
Saint Nicholas Day, St. Nicholas’ feast day, is celebrated on December 6th. Dutch children 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. These small gifts remind the children of the generous spirit of Saint Nicholas of Myra.
Nicholas’ name and story grew, as did his legend, until he became the Santa Claus we know today.
As immigrants came to America from Europe, the influence of Germany and the Netherlands brought many of the traditions we know today. One of these traditions was Santa Claus.
The Real Meaning Of Christmas
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 from their sins 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!
In The Spirit Of St. Nicholas
As you celebrate the Christmas season, remember that 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!
Celebrating St. Nicholas In Our Homes
My little grandchildren will be coming for a Christmas visit. And they will put their shoes outside their bedroom doors on Christmas Eve so Santa can fill them with little gifts and chocolate coins.
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!
FAQs About St. Nick
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Since my birthday is Dec 6th, I have always felt a special connection to St Nicholas and love his story. His love of God and willingness to follow Jesus instructions on how to live his life is one for everyone to learn by and emulate. Thankyou for the beautiful lesson.
May you and your family have a blessed Christmas.
Happy Birthday, Kathy! Our youngest grandson was born on Dec. 6th. Merry Christmas.
Truly, he was a man after God’s own heart. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. Merry Christmas to you and your precious family.
Merry Christmas Jane.
Thank you for this beautiful lesson and reminder of what Christmas is truly about. Many blessings to you and yours and a Merry Christmas to all!
Merry Christmas, Ana!
Thank you for sharing the story of how Santa Claus came to be. I love how it dovetails into the true meaning of Christmas, Christ’s birth.
Yes it does! Merry Christmas Becky
Thank you for sharing these lessons. Blessings & Merry Christmas to you and your family…
Thank you, Donna! Merry Christmas.
All my life I’ve heard that it is better to give than to receive. Saint Nicholas embodied this to the fullest. Bless him and you and yours this Christmas season.
Thank you Susan, God bless you too! Merry Christmas.
Thank you for sharing St. Nicholas. My family always celebrated St. Nicholas’ feast day. Every year my stocking would be filled with unshelled mixed nuts, a couple of tangerines, chocolates, 50 cents in the toe (I was a child in the 50’s so 50 cents bought quite a bit.) and a small book of prayers, stories of saints, a faith based coloring book or a few holy cards. My parents continued this tradition well into my adulthood, adding another stocking for my husband, including the 50 cents which never changed in 40 years.
Patty, thank you for sharing your St. Nick story.
Hello Yvonne,
I have a question for you.. in one of your past Sunday Scripture posts you mentioned the routine you and Bobbie had with your children in the mornings when they were growing up. I can not remember which post or the routine but when I read it I thought how beautiful. I am mentoring/ discipling a young mother of 4 in the Lord and would love to share your story. Any ideas which post I need to look at? Thanks, Debbie
When our children were at home they had to brush their teeth, wash their faces, fix their hair, make their beds and sit a the top of the steps until Bobby went downstairs to see if Santa came. Santa left a little unwrapped pile of toys they could see and play with. We made a big breadfast and other family came to join us. We read the Christmas story, sang praise songs, and had breakfast before gift giving started. Now that I have grandchildren, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2 Santa fills their shoes that they leave outside of their door on Christmas Eve. And they too sit at the top of our steps. We love this tradition! Even the first year our daughter married, our son-in-law sat at the top of the steps. I hope this helps. Praise God there are still mature women wiling t diciple and mentor young mothers. Merry Christmas!