12/06/2024
Did you know that Santa Claus is based on an Orthodox Saint?
“Santa Claus” evolved from the Dutch nickname for Saint Nicholas, “Sinterkl Klaas.” In 1822, Clement Clarke Moore’s poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas”—commonly known as “’Twas the Night Before Christmas”—popularized the image of Santa Claus flying from house to house and filling children’s stockings with gifts. This image is based on a story from the life of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra, and patron saint of children.
Once, a man in Patara (modern-day Turkey), the city where Saint Nicholas was a priest, lost his wealth and was on the verge of selling his three daughters to secure money for food and their future. Grieved by the man’s desperate situation, Saint Nicholas came one evening and secretly threw a bag of gold coins into their home, which landed in the daughters’ shoes. The next day, the man awoke to find enough money for his daughters’ weddings.
To this day, children traditionally leave their shoes out on the eve of Saint Nicholas’ Feast Day, hoping he will visit them. Parents place chocolate coins and oranges in their children’s shoes for them to find in the morning, mimicking the bag of gold coins that landed in the daughters’ shoes. There are variations in how this feast is celebrated worldwide on December 6.
In 1087, Saint Nicholas’ holy relics were transferred to Bari, Italy, where miracles continue to occur.
The story of Saint Nicholas reminds us that we can follow in his footsteps by giving to others. As Christ says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). By giving secretly, we acquire wealth known only to God.
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