St. Nicholas was a 4th-century bishop of Myra in what is now Turkey, remembered for his remarkable generosity and steadfast faith. Historically, we know he served as bishop, endured persecution under Emperor Diocletian, and died on December 6, 343—dates that anchor his annual feast day.
His reputation for compassion was so strong that even early writers noted his extraordinary care for the poor. Many of the traditions we associate with him grew from this legacy: bishops wore red vestments, inspiring later images of his red clothing, and his commitment to discreet generosity shaped customs of secret gift-giving.
Around these facts grew the beloved legends: bags of gold tossed through a window to save three daughters from poverty, storms calmed at sea, even appearances at the Council of Nicaea. These stories, while not historically verified, reveal the heart of the man—a bishop who took Jesus’ words seriously:
“Sell what you own and give the money to the poor.”
Today, the commercialized Santa Claus points us toward shopping, but St. Nicholas himself points us toward Jesus. His life—both in fact and in legend—continues to inspire anonymous charity and a spirit of generosity that has shaped centuries of Christian compassion.
This year, our children will be learning about a “Saint of the Month.” The hope is to teach them about different people who have followed the way of Love made known by Jesus. I thought it would be fun for the whole congregation to take this opportunity to also learn about different figures of faith. I also hope that by making this an intergenerational learning opportunity it will create opportunities for adults and children in the parish to interact in new ways. Peace, K.
