ST. NICHOLAS

BISHOP OF MYRAThe real Santa Claus

ST. NICHOLAS Bishop of Myra

• Parents were rich, loved God, but had no children

• God gave them a son – named him Nicholas

• Saint was filled with Holy Spirit

• Became a monk• Ordained a priest at 19 years

old• Performed many miracles

ST. NICHOLAS Bishop of Myra

• A rich man in the city lost all his money

• He had 3 daughters• Daughters could not

marry because they were poor

• God told to St. Nicholas about this family

• At night, St. Nicholas dropped 100 gold coins through window

ST. NICHOLAS Bishop of Myra

• Man rejoiced when found the gold, 1st daughter could get married!

• Saint did the same for the 2nd daughter

• Man wanted to find out, so stayed up & watched

• Found the kind Bishop with 3rd bag of gold

• Bishop asked the family to thank God who saved them

ST. NICHOLAS Bishop of Myra

• Emperor Diocletian ordered everyone to worship idols

• St. Nicholas was put in prison for many years

• The Lord strengthened him, protected him, and healed all his wounds

• When Diocletian died, St. Nicholas was set free

• He departed at age of 80

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your

heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God

loves a cheerful giver”

2 Corinthians 9:7

ST. NICHOLAS Bishop of Myra

WHY SHOULD I GIVE?

• What I have is from God, NOT my own• To share God’s blessings with others• To help those in need• To obey God’s commandment: to love one

another• The more I give, the more

I receive from God

ST. NICHOLAS Bishop of Myra

WHAT DO I GIVE?• Money• Time• Love• Effort • What I have

ST. NICHOLAS Bishop of Myra

HOW DO I GIVE?• I give with all I have• I give with all my heart• I give with all my love

WHY?• Because God gave all for

me

ST. NICHOLAS Bishop of Myra

This week …•Remember those in need; share God’s blessings•Give with all your hearts!

ST. NICHOLAS Bishop of Myra

Our SALVATION - 4 Stages (How God saves us)

1. INCARNATION God became Man2. CRUCIFIXION Christ died for us3. RESURRECTION Christ rose from the dead4. ASCENSION Christ ascended to heaven

SALVATION Christ’s 1st COMING

INCARNATION

TO SAVEASCENSIONCRUCIFIXION RESURRECTION

JUDGE & REWARD Christ’s 2nd COMING

In the Liturgy …COMMUNION – taking Body & Blood of our Lord,

we re-live Christ’s FIRST COMING

We remember His:

1. INCARNATION2. CRUCIFIXION3. RESURRECTION4. ASCENSION

AND WE WAIT FOR CHRIST’S SECOND COMING