The true story of Santa Claus begins in the life of a young boy named Nicholas, born in the third century in Patara, a small village in Lycia, Asia Minor (what is now Turkey). He was blessed to have been born to wealthy parents who raised him to be a devout Christian. He was still a young child when his parents died during an epidemic, and he chose to use his inheritance to help the needy, the sick and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra, Lycia, the youngest bishop in the history of the church. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his benevolence, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

There are many stories illustrating the generosity and human kindness of Bishop Nicholas. Probably the best-known story tells of a poor man with three daughters. In those days a young woman's father had to offer prospective husbands something of value -- a dowry. The larger the dowry, the better the chance that a young woman would find a good husband. Without a dowry, a woman was unlikely to marry. Living in poverty, the three daughters of this one poor man had no dowries, and were therefore destined to be sold into slavery or forced into prostitution. Mysteriously, on three different occasions, a bag of gold appeared in their home, providing the needed dowries. The bags of gold, tossed through an open window, are said to have landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. On the third occurrence, the happy father witnessed the bag of gold being pitched through the open window and, wishing to know his benefactor, ran after Nicholas and immediately recognised him. However, the holy man "required him not to tell nor discover this thing as long as he lived" (as told by Dante).

The Roman Emperor Diocletian ruthlessly persecuted Christians, and Bishop Nicholas was exiled and imprisoned. Constantine the Great later inherited the throne, and he recognised the Christian Church. In 325 AD, shortly after his release from prison, Nicholas attended the first general Council of the Christians at Nicaea. Nicholas assumed his duties of Bishop of Myra, and he died December 6, 343 AD. He was buried in his cathedral church, and was later sainted. Over the years Nicholas' tomb in Myra became a popular place of pilgrimage. However, because of the many wars and attacks in the region, Christians were concerned that access to the tomb might become difficult. In the Spring of 1087 sailors from Bari, Italy, exhumed the remains of St. Nicholas, transported them to Bari and reburied them. The Basilica di San Nicola was erected over his crypt.

Through the centuries, St. Nicholas has been honored and celebrated in many different ways. December 6, the day of his death, is widely celebrated throughout Europe as "St. Nicholas Day" or "St. Nicholas Feast Day." Stories of his goodness and generosity have been kept alive through many customs and symbols. Three gold balls are common representations of the three bags of gold Nicholas shared with the poor man with three daughters. Gift-giving in general honors the memory of the good-hearted bishop.

So how did St. Nicholas become "Santa Claus?" The Dutch settlers brought the traditions of St. Nicholas to New Amsterdam (New York). The Dutch form of the name was "San Nicolaas." The English colonists adopted the traditions from the Dutch, and the pronunciation changed and evolved from there. In Holland and Germany today, the name is "Santiklos."

There was a time in Germany in which the feast of St. Nicholas was moved forward and identified with Christmas. However, it was felt that the real patron of the day, the true giver of gifts, should be Christ himself. The name of the Christ Child, in popular German, is translated as "Kris Kringle." It was through the early German-American immigrants that we were also given this name.

Through the centuries, many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and deeds. These accounts, along with the customs and traditions established and carried out by virtually all of the free nations of the world, help us to understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered. For me, St. Nicholas, Santa Claus and Kris Kringle are names which represent a wonderful man who served to be a model for the compassionate life through his examples of generosity particularly toward those in need.