The Bishop of Joy – Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas Day is tomorrow, December 6, a beautiful chance to rediscover the joy that comes from surprising others with kindness.
All around the world, St. Nicholas is cherished as a gentle and generous bishop—someone who let the love of Christ shine through everything he did.
Nicholas was born in 270 AD in the Greek village of Patara, near the waters of the Mediterranean. When he was still young, he lost both of his parents and inherited their wealth. Instead of keeping it for himself, he quietly shared it with the poor and the sick, choosing to live as a humble servant of God. Many say he honored his parents best by giving so generously in their memory.
As a bishop, Nicholas helped shape the faith we treasure today. At the Council of Nicaea around 325 AD, he defended the truth of the Holy Trinity—words that echo even now in the Nicene Creed we pray each Sunday. He returned to God on December 6, 343 AD, and Christians have celebrated his kindness ever since.
On St. Nicholas Day, follow his example in small but meaningful ways—donate food to a pantry, give warm shoes to a local shelter, or call a children’s hospital to see what little gifts might brighten a child’s Christmas.
For the little ones, the night before the feast is full of sweet anticipation. Tell them the story of St. Nicholas, then tuck a few simple treats into their shoes—coins, chocolates, clementines, tiny ornaments, candy canes, a Nativity figure, or a prayer card. These small surprises mirror the quiet, thoughtful love St. Nicholas became famous for as early as 800 AD.THE PHOTO captures Bishop Mark Brennan at the age pf six (pictured at far right), visiting Santa with his brother Paul at a Massachusetts department store. “I had no idea then that Santa Claus was St. Nicholas, a Catholic bishop. I just thought he brought kids toys.”
