Because Saint Nicholas’ feast day is December 6, he is known in many Christmas traditions as the original Santa Claus. In our country we often call Santa Claus "good ol’ Saint Nick." But who was the original Saint Nicholas? Did he really live a saintly life on this earth?

Nicholas was a real person who lived an exceptionally holy life, although little is actually known about him. We do know that he lived in the fourth century in Lycia, which is present-day southwestern Turkey. Nicholas was a bishop there who is best known for his generosity, especially toward children. He also did most of his generous deeds without others being aware that it was he who did them. Nicholas believed that only God needed to know about his generosity.

There are many fine legends about Saint Nicholas, including one of his helping out the three daughters of a poor man by secretly giving them their dowries so that they could marry. Another legend suggests that Nicholas visited the homes of poor children during the night and left gifts of money, fruit, and candy for them. It is perhaps this legend that gives us our modern-day Santa Claus figure.


Family Activity

	Explain how, in some countries, children do not receive presents on Christmas Eve but rather on the Feast of Saint Nicholas. In some countries, children leave their shoes outside their bedrooms for Saint Nicholas to fill with goodies.

	•		Create a "shoe" pattern. Together, make "shoes." Have children trace the pattern twice on colored construction paper, cut out the pieces, and write their names on both pieces of paper. Then help the children staple the two shoe patterns together on three sides, leaving the top side open.
	•		Place the completed shoes in the hall for "someone" to fill with goodies during the night. Follow through by putting fruit, nuts, and hard candy into the shoes.
	•		If possible, do this before December 6, so the shoes can be filled on the sixth.

See the Liturgical Calendar on this site for additional information.
See also Catechist—Lent or Teacher—Lent for Liturgy.