Hello, My Friends… I Am Saint Nicholas
I was born around the third century, approximately 260 AD, in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), into a wealthy Christian family. From the very beginning, my parents raised me to love God and to live a life rooted in faith and obedience. I was born near the town of Myra, along the southwest coast of what is now Turkey. At that time, however, Christianity remained illegal under the Roman Empire.
Even so, my faith only grew stronger.
A Life of Faith and Courage
As I matured, I studied to become a priest and openly lived out my Christian beliefs. Because of this, Roman authorities imprisoned me for my faith. However, everything changed when Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity. After my release, the church elected me Bishop of Myra, and I immediately devoted myself to teaching, preaching, and shepherding God’s people.
Soon afterward, I attended the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, one of the most important events in church history. At that time, the deity of Christ was being challenged. I firmly defended the truth that Christ is fully divine—one with the Father and the Holy Spirit, the three persons of the Trinity. That essential doctrine still stands today. Throughout my ministry, I also preached against immorality and worked tirelessly to protect children.
A Life of Giving
While I was still young, tragedy struck when my parents died during an epidemic, leaving me alone. From that moment forward, I chose a different path. Rather than spend my inheritance on myself, I spent my life giving it away to others.
Because of my obedience to God and my love for people, I shared my wealth generously—especially by giving gifts to those in need. Above all, I loved children and found great joy in giving to them.
Moreover, I always gave quietly and in secret—usually at night—expecting nothing in return. Over time, these acts of Christian charity inspired others in my village to exchange gifts at Christmas. In this way, my giving reflected the greatest gift of all: the gift God gave humanity through Jesus Christ.
Saint Nicholas: A Real Man, Real Faith, Real Truth
I was a real man who stood for real truth against real enemies of the Christian faith.
Even today, Christmas traditions still point back to God’s greater story. Christmas trees were God’s idea, for God created trees. Each tree represents a Christmas cross—and every time you see one, I encourage you to visualize the cross itself. Likewise, the role of the Wise Men and the Nativity connects directly to the crucifixion. The baby Jesus’ swaddling cloth foreshadowed His burial shroud, while the gifts of frankincense and myrrh carried deep meaning.
In addition, presents symbolize Jerusalem, grace, and salvation. Ultimately, Christmas is about “doing what God does,” because God has given humanity His many gifts.
A Story of My Giving
One of the most well-known legends explaining why stockings are hung at Christmas begins like this:
A recently widowed man with three daughters struggled to make ends meet. Although his daughters were kind and beautiful, their poverty made marriage seem impossible.
As I traveled through the town, I overheard villagers discussing the family’s hardship. Wanting to help—but knowing the man would refuse direct charity—I chose to act quietly. One night, I slid down the chimney of the family’s home and filled the girls’ freshly washed stockings, which were drying by the fire, with gold coins. Then, just as quietly, I disappeared.
The next morning, the girls awoke overjoyed by what they discovered. Because of this gift, they could marry, and their father found relief from despair. Although the exact origin and date of this story remain unknown, it remains the most widely referenced explanation for the tradition of the Christmas stocking.
The Meaning of Christmas Symbols
In the same way, many Christmas traditions carry deeper meaning. The evergreen tree reminds us of everlasting life. Gifts represent generosity and love. Furthermore, the story of Christ’s birth, His life, and His sacrifice are forever connected—reminding us that Christmas is about far more than presents.
Together, these symbols tell a greater story of faith, hope, and redemption.
From Saint
Nicholas to Santa Claus
Over time, stories of my life and my giving spread throughout the world. Gradually, my name changed from language to language, and traditions grew around my story. Eventually, people came to know me as Santa Claus.
Even though the image has changed, the heart of the story remains the same:
a life devoted to giving, faith, and kindness toward others.
My Message to You
Above all, remember this:
True joy comes from helping others—especially when no one is watching. Kindness, generosity, and love are gifts that never fade.
And that is the story of who I am.