Saint Nicholas and a Prayer for Children

Today we celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Nicholas. 

PRAYER FOR CHILDREN
O God, we pray that through the intercessions of Saint Nicholas that you will guide and protect our children. Keep them safe from all harm and help them grow to become loving disciples of Jesus in your sight. Give them strength to always mature into deeper faith in you, and to keep alive joy in your creation. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

God of joy and cheer, we thank You for Your servant, the good bishop Nicholas. In loving the poor, he showed us Your kindness. In caring for Your children, he revealed Your love. Make us thoughtful without need of reward, so that we too, may be good followers of Jesus. Amen.

The story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents raised him to be a devout Christian. They died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young.

Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals, murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325 and he died December 6, AD 343 in Myra. He was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, Saint Nicholas Day, December 6th.

Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of Saint Nicholas' life and deeds. These accounts help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need.