(d.c.346) Historical authentication of the life of Saint Nicholas is difficult due to most biographies being written much later and embellished. He was likely born to wealthy Greek Christian parents in modern-day Turkey. He was a priest and was made bishop of Myra after a pilgrimage. Nicholas was imprisoned during the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian and is listed as an attendee of the First Council of Nicaea during the reign of Constantine. Not much else can be verified, but this is the man that our modern Santa Claus is modeled after.
A pious legend written 200 years or more after his life tells of Saint Nicholas throwing three bags of gold through a window to keep a poor man’s daughters from a life of prostitution. He is associated today with extreme generosity. In 12-step recovery, “We keep what we have only by giving it away.” How do you exercise generosity in your recovery journey?
“Those who love God must extend their hands in charity, for we are mere stewards of what we hold” (Attributed to Saint Nicholas by Michael the Archimandrite in the 9th century).
Reflection by Brad Farmer