1. ST. NICHOLAS
BISHOP OF MYRA
The real Santa Claus

2. St. NICHOLAS Bishop of Myra
Parents were rich, loved God, but had no children
God gave them a son – named him Nicholas
Saint was filled with Holy Spirit
Became a monk
Ordained a priest at 19 years old
Performed many miracles

3. St. NICHOLAS Bishop of Myra
A rich man in the city lost all his money
He had 3 daughters
Daughters could not marry because they were poor
God told to St. Nicholas about this family
At night, St. Nicholas dropped 100 gold coins through window

4. St. NICHOLAS Bishop of Myra
Man rejoiced when found the gold, 1st daughter could get married!
Saint did the same for the 2nd daughter
Man wanted to find out, so stayed up & watched
Found the kind Bishop with 3rd bag of gold
Bishop asked the family to thank God who saved them

5. St. NICHOLAS Bishop of Myra
Emperor Diocletian ordered everyone to worship idols
St. Nicholas was put in prison for many years
The Lord strengthened him, protected him, and healed all his wounds
When Diocletian died, St. Nicholas was set free
He departed at age of 80

6. St. NICHOLAS Bishop of Myra
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”
2 Corinthians 9:7

7. St. NICHOLAS Bishop of Myra
WHY SHOULD I GIVE?
What I have is from God, NOT my own
To share God’s blessings with others
To help those in need
To obey God’s commandment: to love one another
The more I give, the more
I receive from God

8. St. NICHOLAS Bishop of Myra
WHAT DO I GIVE?
Money
Time
Love
Effort
What I have

9. St. NICHOLAS Bishop of Myra
HOW DO I GIVE?
I give with all I have
I give with all my heart
I give with all my love
WHY?
Because God gave all for me

10. St. NICHOLAS Bishop of Myra
This week …
Remember those in need; share God’s blessings
Give with all your hearts!

11. Our SALVATION - 4 Stages (How God saves us) INCARNATION God became Man
CRUCIFIXION Christ died for us
RESURRECTION Christ rose from the dead
ASCENSION Christ ascended to heaven

12. SALVATION Christ’s 1st COMING
INCARNATION
CRUCIFIXION
RESURRECTION
ASCENSION
TO SAVE

13. JUDGE & REWARD Christ’s 2nd COMING

14. And we wait for Christ’s SECOND COMING
In the Liturgy …
COMMUNION – taking Body & Blood of our Lord, we re-live Christ’s FIRST COMING
We remember His:
INCARNATION
CRUCIFIXION
RESURRECTION
ASCENSION
And we wait for Christ’s SECOND COMING