Special Issue--Christmas Part 1
 Manger
Square, Bethlehem, and the Church of the Nativity. Built by Emperor Constantine
in A.D. 326, it is one of the oldest Christian churches. This is where
Pastor Philips Brooks was inspired to write the Christmas carol "O Little
Town of Bethlehem."
Have you ever written a letter of special requests to Santa Claus? Many
children wonder, "Is there really a Santa Claus?" The answer may surprise
you. Long ago in the village of Patara in modern day Turkey, a boy named
Nicholas was born to wealthy parents. Nicholas' parents could afford to
give him all kinds of good things, but the best thing they gave him was
their faith in Jesus. Nicholas' parents loved Jesus very much, and they
taught him to do the same.
When Nicholas was still a boy, his parents died. Though he was sad, he
still had the special gift they gave him. He still had his faith in Jesus!
Nicholas made up his mind to give his life and his money to help other
people. This was long ago, but we still know of some of the good things
he did.
In the town of Myra, there was a poor man with three daughters. It was
time for the girls to get married, but the father had a problem. In those
days the father of the bride had to pay money to the groom when they got
married. This money was called a "dowry." The father did not have enough
money for three dowries. He didn't even have enough money for one dowry!
Without the money, the girls might be sold into slavery.
The bishop of the town was none other than Nicholas. He wanted to help
this poor father. One night before they went to bed, the girls washed
their wool stockings and hung them by the fireplace to dry. As they slept,
Nicholas crept up to the house and secretly threw gold coins into their
window--enough to pay for their dowries! The next morning the girls had
a happy surprise when they found gold coins in their stockings!
Another time Nicholas made a special trip, or pilgrimage, to the Holy
Land in Israel. He wanted to walk where Jesus had walked and see the things
Jesus had seen. After his visit, Nicholas boarded the ship to go home.
On the journey, a fierce storm developed. The ship was tossed about on
tall waves as lightning flashed overhead. The passengers and crew feared
for their lives, convinced they were doomed! Of all the people on board,
only Nicholas remained calm. He drew on his faith and prayed calmly for
the Lord to stop the tempest. To the amazement of the terrified sailors,
the wind and waves stopped suddenly.
After Nicholas's death, the Church came to celebrate his life through
a special feast day each December 6. European children often dressed like
him and gathered money for the poor in memory of his love for children
and his desire to give gifts. They also set out shoes or stockings the
night before December 6 for "Nicholas" to fill. The Dutch and Germans
brought these traditions to the American colonies.
Today's popular image of Santa Claus started in 1823 when Clement C.
Moore wrote a poem "The Night Before Christmas." He combined the Dutch
"Sinterklaas" and German "Saint Niklaus" to "Santa Claus," which sounded
more American. It also began the tradition of Santa arriving in a sleigh
pulled by reindeer.
All these centuries after the time of Nicholas, Christians still remember
his good deeds and kindness. Christians still give gifts to each other
as a way to celebrate their faith in Jesus. Today there is a popular depiction
of Santa Claus kneeling in prayer before the cradle of the Christ Child.
It reminds us that Nicholas was a great man because he served Jesus.
More about Christmas in part 2 of this "Glimpses
for Kids" children's worship bulletin insert.
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