As a historian of religions who has written books about ancient saints, i caution against reading accounts of saints lives as factual history. In this beautifully illustrated book, the author of the twelve apostles creates an inviting portrait of the real saint nicholas, who became legendary for his generosity and miraculous acts of kindness. Heres the story of the real santa claus, saint nicholas, whose unfailing kindness and generosity led to many of the giftgiving traditions of christmas. Its a history i explore in my book, the true saint nicholas. This 60minute film will take an in depth look at the story of st. Storybook may take several seconds to load, please be patient. As you will see, saint nicholas makes santa claus a larger and richer figure than you might expect him to be. But the most remarkable part of his story comes after his death. The legacy of saint nicholas has rippled across seventeen centuries, bringing messages of faith and joy. And it brings application to our own lives as we, too, respond with grateful hearts to gods great gift of love to us.
Saint nicholas the real story of the christmas legend by julie stiegemeyer, read along with dee. The true life and trials of nicholas of myra by adam c. Dec 06, 2018 its a history i explore in my book, the true saint nicholas. Losing his parents at a young age, nicholas dedicated both his fortune and his life to the christian church. If book is too small, click or tap this button to enlarge.
This is a great book to teach young children about the real story behind saint nicholas. Nicholas was born in modern day turkey to a rather wealthy family. He lost both of his parents as a young man and reportedly used. After his death, flamel developed a reputation as an alchemist believed to have discovered the philosophers stone and to have thereby achieved immortality. Nicholas one of the things i hate about going shopping during the season of the christmas rush is the music that is piped in over the mall sound system. Saint nicholas the real story of the christmas legend by. From william bennett comes the true saint nicholas. Nicholas was a man of god who worked tirelessly for his flock. Nicholas is a christmas mystery a fresco of st nicholas of myra circa 12th century at the church of ayios nikolaos tis steyis in cyprus.
But it took a long time for saint nicholas to become the modern santa claus and this book is very informative on the life of the saint nicholas. The book has a range of essays and stories, including the biography of the bishop, different legends from various european cultures and many stories to read aloud to small. Nicholas to santa claus, ending, most of all, saint nicholas wants us to thank god for the gift of the christ child, jesus, who taught us how to love one another. Saint nicholas printables for kids the kennedy adventures. This book is great for older kids and adults alike. His is a story worth knowing, especially this time of year. Nov 17, 2018 the legacy of saint nicholas has rippled across seventeen centuries, bringing messages of faith and joy. Oct 27, 2009 you may be surprised to know the true saint nicholas. Download your saint nicholas kindergarten printable pack here in the saint nicholas elementary printable pack, youll find directions for making your own mitre. An instant classic by one of americas most respected thinkers, the true saint nicholas is a book to be shared with family and friends every year to evoke the true spirit of christmas. In the 10th century, an anonymous greek author wrote, the west as well as the east acclaims and glorifies him. Saint nicholas was born circa 280 in patara, lycia, an area that is part of presentday turkey. According to texts ascribed to flamel almost 200 years after his.
The true story of saint nicholas book by rebecca benson. Saint nicholas was the bishop of myra the city now known as demre, turkey born during the third century ad and died in 350 ad. The real saint nicholas christian history christianity today. The real story available in dvd ship this item qualifies for free shipping buy online, pick up in store is currently unavailable, but this item may be available for instore purchase. Oct 01, 2002 this book is great for older kids and adults alike.
Jun 25, 20 saint nicholas was the bishop of myra the city now known as demre, turkey born during the third century ad and died in 350 ad. His name comes from the dutch colloquial sinterklaas, a short way of saying sint nicolaas. Nick comes in during the passing of the peace, sits down in front, and tells a story to the children, after which they distribute st. The book vividly captures the heart and life of someone who. Nicholas, also called nicholas of bari or nicholas of myra, flourished 4th century, myra, lycia, asia minor near modern demre, turkey. Bennett chronicles the life of nicholas, bishop of myra, or at least what church tradition tells us about him, and how his reputation soon spread and made him one of the most popular and well. Beloved writer and speaker william bennett brings the legendary saint nicholas to life in this fascinating and faithaffirming book that will change the way you think about santa claus and the meaning of christmas. The real story of the christmas legend by julie stiegemeyer is by far the best childrens book on the market concerning the story of saint nicholas. We love our veggietales and their saint nicholas movie lives up to their reputation. Nicholas is the patron saint of russia and greece, of a number of cities, and of sailors and children, among many other groups, and was noted for his generosity. Here are some other books about saint nicholas, though i cant vouch for them.
Lets relish the spirit of joy and charity embodied in santas giftgiving, but lets not forget the real saint nicholas, who, like all the saints, points to jesus. The legend of santa is a fun tradition, but children should also learn that the story surrounding santa claus is based on a real, historical figure named nicholas, a christian bishop known for his generosity. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of. So here is the story of nicholas, based on what we can reasonably conjecture. One purpose of this book is to help put saint nicholas back into christmas. Nichlolas center website where there is a huge amount of good and fun info about st. Jul 01, 2003 this is a great book to teach young children about the real story behind saint nicholas. Dec 25, 2018 washington irvings 1809 book knickerbockers history of new york first portrayed a pipesmoking nicholas soaring over the rooftops in a flying wagon, delivering presents to good girls and boys. This charming book, ideal for under the christmas tree, is the result of the effort of a greatgrandmother from marblehead, massachusetts to tell her family about the real santa claus, a christian saint born around 260 ad, known to us as st. According to the amazing bible timeline during his lifetime the goths first invaded rome, the transubstantiation mass was practiced, constantine converted to christianity, and the council of nicea was held resulting in the nicean creed. Why he matters to christmas, a fascinating look at the evolution of saint nicholas to santa claus. People around the world are celebrating christmas and perhaps enjoying a few gifts from santa claus. Here is the story of the historical saint nicholas, who was a servant of god. Why he matters to christmas focuses on three aspects of saint nicholashistorical facts from his life, his legacy in the centuries following his death, and the legendary status that transformed his likeness into the presentday jolly, toybearing santa claus.
The life of saint nicholas of sion, written around 250 years after nicholas of myras death, briefly mentions nicholas of sion visiting nicholas s tomb to pay homage to him. Saint nicholas fulllength icon of saint nicholas by jaroslav cermak, showing him with a halo, dressed in clerical garb, and holding a book of the scriptures in his left hand while making the hand gesture for the sign of the cross with his right. I put in gold chocolate coins or oranges for them to discover in the morning. In the book, saint nicholas is referred to as a pastor but he was really a catholic bishop. Behind todays mythical santa claus is a real saint st. Npr coverage of the saint who would be santa claus. Most people know me for the christmas in my heart series, which is the longest running christmas series in america weve just published number 14 and.
The story touches on the ministry of nicholas and his generous gift of a dowry to three young girls as a response to gods love in jesus. I also included a word search with vocabulary words about saint nicholas life, as well as a maze and coloring page. Nicholas has been continually venerated as a great saint. Dec 17, 2018 the legend behind santa claus is saint nicholas, the fourthcentury bishop of myra. My kids enjoyed many of these stories, and there were several that i hadnt heard as well. Washington irvings 1809 book knickerbockers history of new york first portrayed a pipesmoking nicholas soaring over the rooftops in a flying wagon. Oct 12, 2009 from william bennett comes the true saint nicholas. These legendary accounts first appeared in the 17th century. Especially to eastern catholics and the orthodox, he is one of the most popular saints, constantly interceding on behalf of his people, even today. This picture book presents a shortened, somewhat fictionalized version of the life of saint nicholas. In many countries children receive gifts on december 6, st. The legend behind santa claus is saint nicholas, the fourthcentury bishop of myra. Your 4 to 8yearolds may think they know all about santa clausnow introduce them to the real saint nicholas. Nicholas has told one of the stories from this wonderful, indispensable collection.
Nicholas invites us to a truer and more joyful celebration of christmas. The true story of saint nicholas book by rebecca benson haskell. Washington irvings book a history of new york, from the beginning of the world to the end of the dutch dynasty, by diedrich knickerbocker depicted saint nicholas as a european, caucasianfeatured figure in a broadbrimmed hat who smoked a long pipe, associating his character with the thenfamiliar dutch patron saint of new amsteram. In the sixth century, emperor justinian i built a church in honor of st.
He lost both of his parents as a young man and reportedly used his inheritance to help the poor and. What motivated you to compile this exhaustive book on the real st. How he came to be todays giftgiving jolly figure from the north pole is a fascinating story by itself. Dec 12, 2019 saint nicholas was born circa 280 in patara, lycia, an area that is part of presentday turkey. This beautifully retold legend features highly detailed and decorative illustrations. An instant classic by one of americas most respected thinkers, the true saint nicholas is a book to be shared with family and friends. I would happy with traditional renderings of the old carols, but instead, my ears are assaulted with the latest auditory atrocity, celebrating christmas as a time of consumerism. Defender of orthodoxy, wonderworker, holy hierarch, bishop of myra. Each year we read this book just before saint nicholas day, then celebrate the day december 6th by putting the kids shoes outside their room at night. The real saint nicholas to many christians, saintnicholas, precursor to santa claus, is no quaint figure from the past. The author has carefully selected material which he deemed to be the most credible accounts based on those found in life of nicholas by tenth century biographer symeon logotheta the metaphrast, quoted by charles w. A great book if you want to learn about the real st.
It explains his connection with santa claus, and the common spirit they share. Finally, saint nicholas shows us how to find jesus through prayer and religious zeal. But many dont realize saint nicholas was a real guy. You may be surprised to know the true saint nicholas.