The True Story Behind Saint Nicholas and the Spirit of Giving

The story of Saint Nicholas begins with a simple, humble man born around 270 AD in what is now modern-day Turkey, in a town called Myra. He was also later associated with the city of Bari. Born into wealth and privilege, Nicholas enjoyed the comforts of life, yet he chose a radically different path.

He gave up his wealth to become a pastor, then a priest, and eventually a bishop. This was not a time when the state honored or protected religious leaders. Nicholas lived during a period of transition in the Roman Empire, when faith could carry real risk.

Of Greek descent, Nicholas lived in a maritime city that saw travelers from all over the world. His parish sat at a crossroads of cultures and commerce. He became known for miracles, which is one reason the Catholic Church later recognized him as a saint. More than that, however, he was known for his quiet, generous giving.

One of the most famous stories tells of Nicholas secretly providing gold to a poor man so his daughters could have dowries. In doing so, he saved them from involuntary servitude and likely prostitution. This quiet act of compassion reflected his deep sense of justice.

Nicholas was also known as a protector—of sailors, of children, and of people who were falsely accused. He stood against evil and became a patron saint to many. Over time, his generosity defined his legacy.

Through centuries of storytelling and translation across languages and cultures, Saint Nicholas eventually became known in America as Santa Claus.

In 1897, an eight-year-old girl named Virginia O’Hanlon wrote a letter to the New York Sun asking a simple question: “Is there a Santa Claus?” The letter reached editor Francis P. Church, who responded with what would become one of the most famous editorials ever written.

“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus,” he wrote. He explained that Santa Claus exists as surely as love, generosity, and devotion exist—qualities that give life its highest beauty and joy. Without them, the world would be a dreary place.

That letter is worth reading in full because it reminds us that the heart of giving is deeply human and deeply spiritual. It is the same spirit that moves within us when we are aligned with love and the purposes of our Creator.

Christmas, at its core, is about a divine gift—a holy, precious, unconditional gift of love.

During this season, we are invited to recapture not only the history of Saint Nicholas, but his spirit. A spirit that reflected the heart of God, the spirit of Christ, celebrated at Christmas. May that spirit move us to give from our hearts—not just one day a year, but throughout all 365 days.

Virginia,

Your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except what they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds.

All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to our life its highest beauty and joy.

Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus? You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your Papa to hire men to watch all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove?

Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see.

Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders that are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, or even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernatural beauty and glory beyond.

Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else as real and abiding.

No Santa Claus? Thank God he lives and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, maybe 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the hearts of children.

Written by Francis P. Church in 1897

The Longing of the Ages

“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” – Ephesians 2:7

“’Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro’ the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”

So observed either Clement Clarke Moore or Henry Livingston, Jr.in this poem published anonymously in 1923.

What seemed so magical in the roaring 20s reflected a sense of urgency, expectancy, and wonder experienced by Mary and Joseph as they awaited the birth of a son.

“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there …”

In hope, the poet observed, that something special would happen. Someone would come with special gifts and a twinkle of the eye.

“The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.”

Even asleep, the children were dreaming. Joel predicted that old and young would dream and see visions. “A Visit from St. Nicholas” is special, but a visit from God rocks the world.

The world had longed for it, pined for it, and suffered for want of it. Jesus came at the right time and in the right place.

The air of anticipation had reached a fever pitch and yet, His coming was a grander surprise than the delightful presents under the tree.

So, rather than a cute ditty, we sing,

“Come, thou long expected Jesus,

Born to set thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us,

Let us find our rest in thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation,

Hope of all the earth thou art;

Dear desire of every nation,

Joy of every longing heart.” - Charles Wesley
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