ST. NICHOLAS BEARING THE ROOTS OF SANTA CLAUS..........

`In the 4th Century of Catholic-Christianity, when the Church began to fully blossom, the People of Holland had among them, a very generous, spirited, and holy, man named Nicholas, who as a Bishop became known as +Nicholas of Myra.  Myra is now modern day Turkey.  Bishop Nicholas was very supportive and selfless in responding to the children of his flock.  His generosity towards children, especially as Christmas neared was renowned, so that the spirit and the story of St. Nicholas has come down to us through the centuries, transformed as Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, and Father Christmas, to name a few of his manifestations. The self-giving nature of what we celebrate today as the jolly, happy, and generous, brightly red and white clad man of the holiday, has his origins and meaning in the very real person of Bishop St. Nicholas, who in thge 4th Century was a kindly, thoughtful presence to children.  He today is honored as a special patron of the children of Holland and the Netherlands.  Dutch children traditionally place wooden shoes at the fireplaces in their houses awaiting the gifts of fruit, nuts, candy, and perhaps a small personal gift, the jolly St. Nick brings them on December 6th.  So a Happy St. Nicholas Day to all children and adults who seek to truly discover the spirit of Christmas, through the door of this selflessly, spiritually, caring soul..........St, Nicholas of Myra, Open Our Hearts To You And To The Christ Child,   Fr.  Troy