Not Santa Claus!

Today's saint is so much more than what we hear about in the cartoons and sitting at the mall.  I love this saint and it has nothing to do with coming down the chimney!

St. Nicholas of Myra

Created by another mom
from our summer saint exchange

Feast day: December 6
Born 270
Death 343
Patron of Bakers and Pawnbrokers and SO MANY others that it could fill this page!
Greece

Nicholas was born into a wealthy family and the only son to his pious parents.  He was very religious from an early age and according to legend, Nicholas was said to have rigorously observed the canonical fasts of Wednesdays and Fridays. His wealthy parents died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young and he was raised by his uncle—also named Nicholas—who was the bishop of Patara. Nicholas was tonsured soon after as a lector as studied to become a priest.  During this time, he would also be given the opportunity to live with a group of monks outside of Bethlehem and other sites within the Holy Land.  In 317, While in prayer, he felt that he was being called back to his home.  Upon his return he was quickly consecrated as bishop of Myra.

In 325, he was one of many bishops to answer the request of Constantine and appear at the First Council of Nicaea. There, Nicholas was a staunch anti-Arian, defender of the Orthodox Christian position, and one of the bishops who signed the Nicene Creed.  This was a volatile session, and tradition has it that Nicholas became so angry with the heretic Arius during the Council that he punched him in the face.  Although not a very saintly act, it shows that Nicholas was determined to stop this heresy from continuing.

There are many stories told of his care for his flock.  Many of these stories are miracles that some find hard to believe as they are so extraordinary.  Although these experiences in his life do not make him a saint...it his desire to do the work of God that give him the honor.  Of course, ultimately it is the fact that he is in heaven...we see him as a saint (someone to look to and be inspired for our own faith journey) because of his virtuous life and the miracles attributed to him after his death when devout Christians asked for his intercession.  I encourage you to read some of his stories...the St. Nicholas Center is always a good website to start...and maybe you will see why his life is so much better than any Santa story!

Due to the location of Myra, many sailors came to know about Nicholas and carried stories of his piety and miracles.  It seems that they also carried off his bones as well!  Several churches are known for holding parts of the remains of St. Nicholas.  However, the message of St. Nicholas spread, he is known far and wide for his acts of charity.  Maybe that is why he is known so well as a giver of gifts and his love for youth.  It makes sense that he would have a special connection to Christmas as well.  His life inspires to all give a little during this time.  I pray that the gifts of faith will far out reach the commercial gift giving found during this time of year!

We were especially blessed today at Mass.  As has become a part of our Mass attendance, we brought along our saint peg doll.  Although our little saintly pegs have made it onto the small chapel altar on during daily Mass, we have never felt that they should be on the Sunday altar.  Well, Father Hall asked that we bring the doll forward to place on the altar this morning (read more of this on my Other blog)!  What a wonderful surprise!  I was a little embarrassed, however, as this little peg saint was not my creation (another mom from our saint exchange last summer), so I did not deserve any praise.  Besides, I create the saint dolls to help us remember the saints not to be recognized in Mass.

Later in the day, our meal was a nod to this Greek saint as well...we made our delicious Greek-style pizza!

We are truly blessed by the presence of St. Nicholas to remind us of our faith in Jesus!

St. Nicholas, pray for us!