Mark 10:15
Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.
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In these days of commercialism, every holiday celebration is punctuated by material gift-giving, along with animated symbols – Easter Bunnies, Valentine Cupid, Halloween Pumpkin and of course, Christmas Santa Claus. And like every children in the world, I believed in Santa Claus.
And, I still do today – at least not on the person in red suit, but on the virtues he exemplifies – sharing, gift-giving, and love of children.
The story of St. Nicholas offers a possible way of dealing with the "Santa Claus" problem, to parents who do not want to lie to their children, even in fun, but do not want to say simply: "Bah, humbug! There is no such thing as Santa. Forget about him."
Nicholas was a native of the western part of what is now Asiatic Turkey. He became Bishop of Myra in the fourth century, and there are many stories of his love for God and for his neighbor.
Nicholas became a symbol of anonymous gift-giving. Hence, if we give a gift to someone today without saying whom it is from, it can be called "a present from Saint Nicholas (or Santa Claus)."
In this season of love and giving, may we not forget to share our hearts with others. Only then can we really feel the true meaning of Christmas.
Let us pray +
Almighty God, who in your love gave to your servant Nicholas of Myra a perpetual name for deeds of kindness on land and sea: Grant, we pray, that your Church may never cease to work for the happiness of children, the safety of sailors, the relief of the poor, and the help of those tossed by tempests of doubt or grief; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen +
Santa Claus is coming to town.
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