Feast of St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra.
The true story of Santa Claus begins with 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. 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 Myra while still a young man. 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 ships.Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day.
Imagine the privilege of being a saint who is perenially associated with Christmas. Though veneration of St. Nicholas has taken on many strange forms, and many things have grown up in the legends around him (the home at the North Pole, the ability to miraculously visit every household in the world in one night, flying reindeer, elves, et al.), it is because of who the Saint was in reality that he is venerated -- the fact of his life forms the grain of sand around which the pearl of legend grows. So much magic is associated with him because truly, to give of oneself is magical. Nicholas did not make toys in a magic workshop, the gifts he gave to the people of Myra were from the things in life he denied himself. That is where true magic comes from -- caring for others before ourselves.
In the Litany of Saints, St. Nicholas follows St. Martin and is listed before Bishops and Confessors, Doctors of the Church, Saint Anthony, and the great monastic saints, so he is esteemed very highly by the Church, and rightly so.
Ora Pro Nobis, Sancte Nicolae.