The fourth century pastor who inspired the tradition of Santa Claus may not have lived at the north pole or travled by reindeer and sleigh, but he certainly was a paradigm of graciousness, generosity and Christian charity. Early Byzantium histories reported that Nicholas suffered imprisonment and made a famous profession of faith during the persecution of Diocletian. He also was reportedly at the Council of Nicea, possibly slapping the heretic Arius. But, it was his love and care of children that gained him the greatest renown. He was a particular champion of the downtrodden, bestowing upon them gifts as tokens of the grace and mercy of the gospel.
In one legend, Nicholas saved several youngsters from certain death when he pulled them from a deep vat of vinegar brine, on the Feast of the Nativity. Ever afterward, Christians remembered the day by giving one another large crisp pickles.
Kerry
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