St. Nicholas’s Night

St. Nicholas’s Night

The original Santa Claus 

Was a man who lived in Turkey

A very long time ago, ‘tis true

A jolly, dear old Bishop

Who took his duties seriously 

And a smile when times were blue

 

For he loved the Christ Child

And tried to be more like Him

Giving away all that he could, you see, 

So he helped those in need 

Though he is also known for a limb

One he used to help fight heresy

 

But he is best known for his nightly trips

That he began one night, so long ago

When he helped three sisters and their father

They were in desperate need of money 

Each daughter needed a dowry to marry her beau

But things hadn’t been well since the loss of their mother

 

So good old Saint Nick took it upon himself 

To make sure they had everything they needed

And dropped down the chimney bags of money 

So the three sisters could get married

This action for generations was heeded

And became a tradition to make hearts sunny

 

Now folks get gifts for children 

And place them in stockings hung by the chimney 

Or in shoes or place them under the tree

And say that Saint Nick brought them 

So they can enjoy a kind of anonymity 

And continue the lessons in charity and humility

 

Meanwhile, good old Saint Nick gets to enjoy

The greatest, most wonderful gift of all 

Of getting to be in the presence of the Lord

He Whom he loved ever so dearly 

And having heeded his Lord’s saintly call

Can now bask in the Father’s, Son’s, and Spirit’s every word.

Original Poetry