The real santa clause

St. Nicholas: The Real Santa Claus

December 26, 2009 – Kiahk 17, 1727 AM

Memory Verse

• “Let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matt. 6:3)

Introduction

• What do you know about Santa Claus?

• Who believes that Santa is real ?

• What is the best thing about Santa?

Did you Know?

• Santa Claus is a REAL SAINT in our church

• His name is Saint Nicholas

St. Claus = Baba Noel = St. Nicholas

• From Mora (Myra)

• He was born to parents who raised him to Obey God!

• They were very rich!

St.Nicholas was Holy

• He was always in church

• He watched the older deacons and servants and learned from them.

• God blessed him with lots of knowledge from the Holy Spirit.

• He served and loved our Lord Jesus Christ

St. Nicholas was a Monk

• When his parents died, he gave all his wealth to the poor

• Became a monk in a monastery where his cousin was the abbot.

• Priest at age 19

• God gave him the gift of performing signs and healing the sick.

• He was known for his charity and giving to the poor.

• Became archbishop of Myra!

The Rich Man Losing Everything

• There was a very rich man in the city of Mora who lost all his wealth.

• He had 3 daughters who passed the age of marriage–However the father could not

marry them off because he was poor.

God Revealed to St. Nicholas

• Satan put this evil thought in the poor man’s head:– By letting his daughters

live in sin and do evil jobs.

• Our Lord revealed to St. Nicholas the thoughts that were in this man’s head, and he was grieved.

Night # 1

100

• St. Nicholas took 100 dinars

• During the night he threw the money into the window of the man’s house making sure no one was watching him!!!!

• When you give in secret, your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly (Matthew 6:4)

• When the man found the money, he was astonished and rejoiced and was able to give his oldest daughter away in marriage.

Night #2• Another night, the

saint threw another 100 dinars into the man’s house

• The man was able to give his 2nd daughter away in marriage.

• He wondered who this charitable person was?

• He kept watch to catch him next time.

100

Night #3

• St. Nicholas threw last 100 dinars into the house, but the man was watching

• After he felt the drop of the sack, he ran out of the house to see who it was .. .

100

Give Thanks to GOD

• The man found the kind bishop St. Nicholas– The man bowed down at his

feet and thanked him because he saved his daughters from poverty and a life of sin.

• St. Nicholas refused to accept any thanks and asked him to thank God who loved him and his daughters.

Conclusion

• St. Nicholas was known for his generous giving, that is why all the children ask this Saint to pray for them

– To bring them presents and blessing during the month of Kiahk (Christmas time)

Application

• It is better to give than to receive – Let us give some

of what we have to the poor

– Share what we have with others

Now, who is the REAL SANTA CLAUS?

COLORING

• “God loves a cheerful giver” (1 Corinthian 9:7)