What is the True story of Saint Nicholas

 The True story of Saint Nicholas the man from whom the name of Santa Claus derives and in whose honour Santa Claus may be referred to as Saint Nicholas or Saint Nick,  From  the  poem  called The Night Before Christmas  he is best  known today as a fat jolly man with  Reindeers and escapades down Chimneys, a  Fairy Story for Children.

 But it all began  with  Saint 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 he then lived with his uncle.

 

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 Mara while still a young man. But Bishop Nicholas was never officially Canonised this legend simply evolved. .

 

Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his Love for Children, and his concern for Sailors and Merchants.

 

Many Stories and Legends have grown up around Bishop Nicholas some True and some not True, for some they are used just for material gain, but for many others they are because people what to hold onto something or someone but they have to be bigger and greater then anything or anyone else so they make up stories which are not based on God’s Truth but  are  creating an Illusion and they do this because they are trying to meet needs that only the True God can satisfy.

 

Over the years people come to believe these made up stories were true and sadly many start to worship these people that have been created in the imagination of others and give them the glory that belongs to our Heavenly Father alone and to those He apportions it to.

 

God’s word tells us we have one mediator Jesus Christ and He is the one who intercedes for us not St Nicholas or anyone else no matter how devout that person was or is . As we pray we do so in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ no other persons name.

 

Bishop Nicholas was a humble man and sought to serve the Lord without fanfare or promoting himself and I’m sure if he was alive today he would be dismayed by the way some people overlook the real meaning of Christmas and make him (Santa Claus) their main focus. They do this instead of giving the Glory and honour to God and thanking Him for His great Love for us expressed in His wonderful Gift… His son Jesus Christ. They do not accept Jesus and deny His reality and so they miss out on a relationship with the Living God because they worship the created things instead of the Creator.

 

St Nicholas as He is commonly known lived his life with generosity and good will because of his thankfulness and Love for the Lord, but he did this not only during the month of December but all year because he believed in his heart… that it is in giving that we will receive and this does not have a time frame.”

 

So if you choose to remember St Nicholas at Christmas then keep in mind he is not the reason for the Season Jesus Christ is and His Name is above every other name and it is He who is to receive our Glory, Honour and Praise.

 

 

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