...he was a short man (5 ft) who lived from 270-346AD
...born into wealthy Greek family who lived in coastal city on Mediterranean
...orphaned as a child; thereafter had a heart for children
...secret gift-giver with liberality toward those in need
...nasal bone between eyes broken; attributed to
persecution of Christians under Diocletian
...devoted to Christ and served as pastor and bishop of the church
...had a seat at Council of Nicaea which produced our Apostles Creed
Why mention this good man? You are seeing him everywhere...at the mall and ringing a bell @WalMart. The man is St. Nicholas. More olive-skinned than Scandinavian...more like a fighter than a jolly old elf...you may be wondering how in the world St. Nicholas morphed into Santa Claus.
The answer begins in 1822 when Dr. Clement Clark Moore wrote this whimsical poem for his children. http://www.nightbeforechristmas.biz/moore.htm (Note: the New York Times takes issue with who really wrote the poem.) http://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/26/arts/26NIGH.html
Apparently Dr. Moore (who taught classics and languages at a New York seminary) was always embarrassed that in light of the body of his scholarly theological works, he would be best known for "Twas the Night Before Christmas".
Then in 1947, MIRACLE ON 34th STREET perpetuated the caricature of the jolly old man.
It's interesting to think back and watch a truly heroic man become a fictional character that is held up to children...while frankly, confusing them. Santa knows when you've been naughty or nice? He sees you when you're sleeping and knows when you're awake? Whew. He's been assigned some pretty divine qualities along the way.
St. Nicholas was a real man who loved God's Word and loved to give. He lived a productive life imitating/serving his Savior.
So we can tell Virginia "Yes, there really IS a St. Nicholas. And he deserves a lot more credit".
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