The Gift Giver

WHAT

Good morning everyone! Is anyone excited about Christmas? 

I hear that there is a GIFT - GIVER. Someone that is good to children and brings gifts to children. Can anyone tell me his name? Do I hear Santa? Now, does anyone know Santa's full name? Santa Claus. 

How is Santa Claus carrying the gifts? He has a big sack that he carries on his back. And he secretly sneaks in houses in the middle of the night.

Does anyone know who inspired Santa Claus to be good to children, bringing gifts secretly in the middle of the night in a big sack?

Today is the Feast of Saint Nicholas and he is the one that inspired Santa Claus. Back in the fourth century Saint Nicholas was a devoted bishop and he got to know that in his town there were three children that were about to be sold because the father was broke. So, in the middle of the night he got three big sacks full with gold coins and secretly went into their home and left the coins there so that the father did not have to sell the children for money. Saint Nicholas loved children and was a GIFT - GIVER.

Saint Nicolas was also a great evangelizer, he strongly defended that Jesus was God against Arian that believed that Jesus was not God. Arian believed that Jesus was not of the same essence as God. Saint Nicholas got even into a fight with Arian at the Council of Nicea back in 325 AD.

Do you know who inspired Saint Nicholas to be a GIFT-GIVER and an evangelizer and protector of the Truth? Jesus.

SO WHAT 

During this Christmas season everytime you see a Santa Claus remember that without Saint Nicolas we would not have Santa Claus. A lot of people don't know this story! 

Without Jesus that inspired Saint Nicholas - many people would not have Santa Clause.

NOW WHAT 

So, now is your turn to evangelize - do you know anyone that doesn't know this story? Let them know that without Jesus that inspired Saint Nicholas - we would-not have Santa Clause. Without Jesus we wouldn't have Santa.

Thank you Jesus for being our GIFT - GIVER.