WHO IS ST. NICHOLAS?
The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time, the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. 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 absence of the "hard facts" of history is not necessarily an obstacle to the popularity of saints, as the devotion to St. Nicholas shows. Both the Eastern and Western Churches honor him, and it is claimed that, after the Blessed Virgin, he is the saint most pictured by Christian artists.
As many of the saints, however, we are able to capture the relationship which St. Nicholas had with God through the admiration which Christians have had for him and admiration expressed in the colorful stories which have been told and retold through the centuries. His most well known deeds came around the time of Christmas, when he would leave gold in the homes of poor families on Christmas Eve, and give help to any person who needed it.
Over the centuries, this particular legend evolved into the custom of gift-giving on the saint's feast. In the English speaking countries, St. Nicholas became by a twist of the tongue, Santa Claus - further expanding the example of generosity portrayed by this holy bishop.
Today miracles and wonders are directly associated with the Saint. In anticipation of St. Nicholas's nightly visits, children put their shoes in front of the fire place or outside of their door where St. Nicholas puts a surprise.
The Academy of St. Adalbert had a very special visit from St. Nicholas on his feast day, Wednesday, December 6th. St. Nicholas was accompanied by his elves and black jacks. Once he found out how wonderful the students at the Academy of St. Adalbert were, he passed out candy canes to all.