Story of St. Nicholas

He was a boy when he lost his parents very early in life. It was an epidemic that took them, but not before he was old enough for them to help him discover the gift of faith. Little Nicholas went to Myra and lived a life full of self-offering, and giving of himself. His life was full of sacrifice and love, just like Jesus. Nicholas lived such a Christ like life that when the town needed a bishop he was immediately elected. Later he was imprisoned for his Christian faith, but released by the Emperor Constantine. Thereafter, many stories of his generosity were collected and they spread from mouth to mouth all through out the lands. It was told how he begged food for the poor and how he would somehow get money for girls to use as a dowry so that they could have husbands. The story most often repeated was about how he would put on a disguise and go out and give gifts to the poor children. In factNicholas gave away everything he had, plus everything he could get. He died in AD 314; his body was moved to Italy where his remains are believed to be to this day. The story of Nicholas has spread all around the world, and today there are more European churches named after St. Nicholasthan any other person in the history of the church, aside from the famous Bible characters. People have done many things to old St. Nick. Clement Moore the poet gave him a red nose and eight tiny reindeer. Artist Thomas Nast gave Nicholas a round belly and a red fir trimmed suit. But those things really aren’t that important are they? What is important is that he lived in the mind set and the life style of Christ. And because he lived that lifestyle, the life of Nicholas touched the whole world and it does to this very day. But here is the really important part of the story. That same Christ like mind set and that life style is supposed to be in all of us and lived by all of us. And that is the true story of St. Nick.

— Author Unknown

Face Your Fears

I heard an interesting story a while back and wanted to share it with everyone. I made several changes to the story to relate Christ but the lesson remains the same.

A man once lived in a land where it was dark, and dreary, all the time. A thick fog always covered the land because of it’s location. In the land there stood an old dark tower. People said the tower was haunted, and everyone was afraid of it. No one would even approach the tower.

This man was intrigued by the tower, and wanted to visit the tower. One day he got enough courage to face the tower, and went inside.

Inside the tower was beautiful. The steps were gold, and the staircase looked as if it had been built by a master carpenter. The tower was empty, but warm and inviting.

He began climbing up the stairs as they spiraled up for what seemed like an eternity. He continued climbing for many hours. Along the way he wanted to turn around because the journey was just too hard for him. But now, he was driven by sheer will power, and had to reach the top somehow.

He continued climbing until finally he reached the top. Although he was tired, and wanted to rest for a while, he was curious what was behind the only door he found at the top of the tower. He went through the door which led him outside to a balcony.

Once he was outside the sun was shining brightly because he was above the gloomy fog that covered the land. The view he had was beautiful. Like nothing he had ever seen before in his life.

He could see a distant city more beautiful than any he had ever seen. He saw mountains, and valleys like none before.

This story shows us that sometimes confronting our fears face to face can lead us to brighter, and more beautiful places in life.

God is a strong, and mighty, tower. Abiding in Him can lead us to greater heights, and to some beautiful places.

e-Vangelize Archive

For those who are interested in my weekly e-zine called e-Vangelize, I have posted an archive page. You can see some of the previous articles that have been published.

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs031/1102093008148/archive/1102354575610.html

Subscription to e-Vangelize is free. You can subscribe through a link on the archive page.