Generosity has earned Saint Nicholas worldwide fame for hundreds of years. However, not many people know the true story behind this Christmas legend.
Around the year A.D. 280, a man named Nicholas was born in Patara, near Myra in modern- day Turkey. Being raised in a Christian household, he learned to love Jesus at a young age. He was still young when his parents died from an epidemic, leaving Nicholas with a great fortune.
Nicholas took to heart the instructions Jesus gave to the young rich man in Mark 10:17-22. With that in mind, he used his inheritance to help the poor. He gave money to the sick, needy, and children. He did not do this just in Myra. He traveled the countryside to give his money to those who needed it more than him. He often put the money he gave away in the recipients shoes or stockings.
At the age of thirty, he unexpectedly became the Bishop of Myra.
His popularity continued to spread, making him very well known. He became known as protector of children and sailors.
It is thought that he never ran out of money and he continued to help the poor until his death on 6 December AD 343.
Hundred of years after his death, Catholics began to celebrate Bishop Nicholas Day, on the 6th of December.
The tradition of having a stocking that gets filled by Santa Claus was started by Dutch children. They would leave shoes out by the fireplace or in front of their bedroom door, in hopes that Sinter Klaas would leave toys and treats in them.
A New York newspaper reported Dutch families gathering to honor the anniversary of Saint Nicholas death in the 1800s. With Saint Nicholas becoming known in America, to Dutch nickname Sinter Klaas or Sint Nikolaas, was evolved into what we know today.
John Pintard was a member of the New York Historical society in 1804, when he distributed woodcuts of St. Nicholas. These woodcuts showed Santa with stocking filled with toys and fruit hanging over a fireplace.
Five years later, Washington Irving referred to St. Nicholas in his book “The History of New York,” bringing even more attention to this growing legend. Eventually Sinter Klaas was described to have a blue three-corner hat, a red waistcoat, and yellow stockings. Evolving as the years continued. In 1821, he began to ride a sleigh with reindeer. Two years later elves were also added. It wasn’t until 1849, when Mrs. Claus joined the story.
As this legend continues to grow, everyone should remember how it all started, with a kind-hearted man named Nicholas.
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. Proverbs 19:17