The Christmas Tradition of Saint Nicholas,
Belsnickle, Kris Kringle, & Santa Claus
For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him? But we
have the mind of Christ. ~ 1st Corinthians 2:16
Saint Nicholas was born of wealthy parents in the year 280 in a small town called
Patara in Asia Minor. He lost his parents early by
an epidemic but not before
they had instilled in him the gift of faith. Then little Nicholas went to Myra
and lived a life full of sacrifice and love in the spirit of Jesus. Nicholas
became so Christ like that when the town needed a bishop, he was elected. Saint Nicholas was
even imprisoned for his faith, but later released. There have been many stories
of his generosity and compassion: how he begged for food for the poor, and how
he would give girls money so that they would have a dowry to get a husband. The
story most often repeated was about how Saint Nicholas would put on a disguise and go out
and give gifts to poor children.
But the story of Saint Nicholas has spread around
the world. There are more churches in the world named for Saint Nicholas than
for any
other person in all of the history of the church. We know him today by many
names: Belsnickle, Kris Kringle, Santa Claus. With all Saint Nicholas does and
brings to the season, what's most important about Saint Nicholas is that he had the mind
of Christ. Because of his gentle, selfless love, he has touched the whole
world. And this same mind of Christ is to be in us.
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Attention children of all ages - Want
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and get a personal message from a Christian Santa Claus.
