St. Nicholas aka Santa Claus was a Bishop who lived in the fourth century in a place called Myra in Turkey . He was a very rich man because his parents died when he was young and left him a lot of money. St Nicholas, one of the most revered Christian saints, is thought to have lived in Myra.
According to legend he was a Wealthy Man who was widely known for his Generosity – a trait that inspired the story of Father Christmas as a bringer of gifts on Christmas Day.
His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus’ words to “SELL WHAT YOU OWN AND GIVE THE MONEY TO THE POOR,” Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering.
He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.
The first quality comes from a story about a Poor Man with three young daughters. Without a dowry to offer suitors, the man worried that his daughters would fall into prostitution. Legend has it that Nicholas dropped three bags of gold through an open window in the man’s house, saving the women from the streets.
SANTA’s SECRET WISH
A young boy with light in his eyes Looked deep into Santa’s, to Santa’s surprise And said “I want your secret. Tell it to me.” whispered in Santa’s good ear “How do you do it, year after year?”
“I want to know how, as you travel about, Giving gifts here and there, you never run out of toys You have plenty for all of the world’s girls and boys? Stays so full, never empties, as you make your way From rooftop to rooftop, to homes large and small, From nation to nation, reaching them all?”
Santa smiled kindly and said to the boy, “Don’t ask me hard questions. Don’t you want a toy?” But the child shook his head. He told that small boy with the light in his eyes, “My secret will make you sadder and wise. “The truth is that my sack is magic.
Inside It holds millions of toys for my Christmas Eve ride. But although I do visit each girl and each boy. I don’t always leave them a gaily wrapped toy. Some homes are hungry, some homes are sad, Some homes are desperate.. Some homes are broken, and the children there grieve.
Those homes I visit, but what should I leave? For homes where despair lives toys aren’t enough. So I tiptoe in, kiss each girl and boy, And I pray with them that they’ll be given the joy Of the spirit of Christmas, the spirit that lives. I want to find there are homes filled with peace, and with giving, and love . To give toys to some, and to give prayers to others. The prayers are the best gifts, the best gifts indeed, For God has a way of meeting each need.
The sack never empties of love, or of joys beause inside it are prayers, and hope. Not just toys. The more that I give, the fuller it seems, Because giving is my way of fulfilling dreams.
“And do you know something? You’ve got a sack, too. It’s as magic as mine, and it’s inside of you. It never gets empty, it’s full from the start. It’s the center of lights, and love. It is your heart. And if on this Christmas you want to help me. Don’t be so concerned with the gifts beneath your tree. Open that sack called your heart, and share Your joy, your friendship, your wealth, your care.”
The light in the small boy’s eyes was glowing. “Thanks for your secret. I’ve got to be going.”
“Wait, little boy,” Said Santa, “don’t go. Will you share? Will you help? Will you use what you know?” And just for a moment the small boy stood still, Touched his heart with his small handamsnd whispered, “I will”.
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Shishir Mandya Chief Editor
