Who was St. Nick?
Who was St Nicholas? Nicholas was born in the third century in what is now the Southern Coast of Turkey. He was born into a wealthy Christian family. At a young age, Nicholas’ parents died in an epidemic. After his parents’ death, he took the words of Jesus to sell everything and give it to the poor seriously and gave away his entire inheritance to the sick and the suffering, making him well known in the region for his generosity. He had a particular soft spot for children. There is a famous story of Nicholas’ generosity where upon hearing that there was a poor man that could not afford the dowry for his three daughters (in those days, if you didn’t have a substantial dowry it was unlikely that women would get married and would thus be forced in to slavery), bags of gold appeared in their home during the night which were tossed in the windows and would land in their stockings or shoes. At a young age he became the Bishop of Myra and was also imprisoned for his faith. Also, do you know that Nicene Creed that we pray together as part of our liturgy? Well, Nicholas was at that council. Manymiracles are attributed to St. Nicholas, especially with regard to children.
As I am writing this, I can hearmy kids watching the old Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer animated film downstairs.I can hear St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) being portrayed in the way that we havebecome accustomed. A jolly, magical man in a red suit and hat who brings people gifts on Christmas Eve. We’ve lost the sense of who this great Saint is and how he can be a help to our spiritual life, especially around the holidays.
To truly embody the spirit of Christmas is to be like St. Nicholas; it is to give, it is to serve God through the giving of our time and resources to those who are in want, even at personal expense. Nicholas lost family in an epidemic; helped families through famine; provided for hungry and needy children; and was a victim of a corrupt political system that oppressed and unjustly imprisoned its citizens. The story goes, that there were so many bishops, priests, and deacons in prison that there was no room for actual convicted criminals. His life and legacy are marked by anonymous generosity and caring. If there was ever a time that this generation needed St.Nick, perhaps it is now.
O good St. Nicholas,
you who are the joy of the children,
put in my heart the spirit of childhood, which the gospel speaks, and teach me to seed happiness around me.
Open my faith to the mystery of God made humankind.
You good bishop and shepherd,
help me to find my place in the Church
and inspire the Church to be faithful to theGospel.
O good Saint Nicholas, watch over those who pray toJesus, your Lord and theirs,
as well as over those who humble themselves before you.
Bring us all in reverence to the Holy Child of Bethlehem,
when true joy and peace are found. Amen.