She Wolf's blog: "What Else Is New?"

The Christmas Tradition of Saint Nicholas,
Belsnickle, Kris Kringle,  & Santa Claus

For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. ~ 1st Corinthians 2:16

Saint Nicholas was born of wealthy parents in the year 280 in a small town called Patara in Asia Minor. He lost his parents early by an epidemic but not before they had instilled in him the gift of faith. Then little Nicholas went to Myra and lived a life full of sacrifice and love in the spirit of Jesus. Nicholas became so Christ like that when the town needed a bishop, he was elected. Saint Nicholas was evenimprisoned for his faith, but later released. There have been many stories of his generosity and compassion: how he begged for food for the poor, and how he would give girls money so that they would have a dowry to get a husband. The story most often repeated was about how Saint Nicholas would put on a disguise and go out and give gifts to poor children.

But the story of Saint Nicholas has spread around the world. There are more churches in the world named for Saint Nicholas than for any other person in all of the history of the church. We know him today by many names: Belsnickle, Kris Kringle, Santa Claus. With all Saint Nicholas does and brings to the season, what's most important about Saint Nicholas is that he had the mind of Christ. Because of his gentle, selfless love, he has touched the whole world. And this same mind of Christ is to be in us.