Yes, There is a Santa Claus

There is a Saint Nicholas.
Catholics have celebrated his life each December 6 for hundreds of years.
Born in the fourth century A D in Patara (Turkey) of wealthy parents, Nicholas was made a priest by his uncle the Archbishop of Myra. When Nicholas’ parents died, he gave all the money he had to the poor and went to Palestine. When he returned to Myra the legend tells us that the Archbishop of the seaport town had just died. No one wanted the job, and the local clergy decided that the first priest entering the church on the following morning would be made bishop. The first priest to walk through the door was Nicholas.
Saint Nicholas is famous for many gestures of generosity and miracles. Nicholas became the patron saint of sailors and travelers when on a voyage in the Holy Land, Nicholas is credited with calming a storm and saving the boat and all aboard.
There is also the story of bringing children back to life. It’s told that Nicholas found a case containing the bodies of three children, and after making the sign of the cross, rescued the children back to life. This story is part of the reason Nicholas is the patron saint of small children.
However, the rest of the story indicates that passage of time may have created that “miracle”. The story came about because an old woodcarving had what appeared to be the heads of three small children. This old woodcarving spurred the legend of resurrecting children, but further investigation reveals that the carving was of three bags of gold, which reflects Nicholas charity and generosity.
When a nobleman lost his savings, he would be forced to sell one of his daughters into slavery to pay for the marriage of his other daughters. When Nicholas heard this, he tossed a bag full of gold coins for each of the three girls into the home. Nicholas begged the father not to tell the girls where the money came from. Because of this act of charity, Nicholas became the patron saint of girls without a dowry.
It’s rumored he tossed the bags of gold over the fence, and they were caught in the laundry, or he tossed them down the chimney. That’s why children hang their stockings with care, to catch the presents from Saint Nicholas.
Now, Catholics celebrate Saint Nicholas Feast Day on December 6 around the world. To celebrate, children leave their clean shoes by the hearth or door to represent traveling. Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated by little presents and candy being placed in the shoes, that’s why chocolate gold coins are so popular this time of year. In Italy, they use socks, or stockings to gather their goodies.
While we bask in the glow of God’s greatest gift this Christmas, let’s remember those who lived as Christ did, like St. Nicholas. Yes, there is a Saint Nicholas. He lived more than 1600 years ago and still lives within each of us. Every time we think of Santa Claus, let’s remember that the legend of a jolly old elf in a red suit giving presents is the lasting legacy of a real person who did real things for real people.
Merry Christmas, and God bless us all, everyone.