Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend

by Julie Stiegemeyer

Book Overview

The legend of Father Christmas-Santa Claus-has its roots in history. Nicholas was a pastor just 300 years after Jesus walked the earth. Tales of his generosity, a response to the gifts all receive through Jesus, were widespread. His kindness and care are modeled everytime someone gives a gift out of love.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0758603762
• ISBN13: 9780758603760
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Concordia Publishing House
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.81 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 9.3" x 10.3"
• Age Range: 5 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

dd "loves it" ~ Based on what's believed to be Historical Fact with a little fictionalization.

Just read this book to my dd & she states that she "really loves it". We teach that Santa Claus is based on a real man who died long ago, and that he did very kind things because of obeying Jesus Christ's teachings. We'll enjoy having this book around this Christmas season to remind us of the caring & loving acts of Saint Nicholas. This story covers 1 incident in his life which show his kindness & generousity & gives emphasis as to why he was like that - because that was his way to show Jesus' love to others. The author comments on how he's now known as Father Christmas. There's a note to the "grown-up" that explains a few facts concerning Saint Nicholas and a glossary that explains some words/places. We love the colorful & life-like pictures. Hope this review will help someone! Have fun reading!

Excellent!

We bought this book when my daughter was 2.5 to help her understand the idea of Santa, and she's been bringing us this book to read over & over for the last year! The book is simple and sweet. It tells one story of St. Nicolas secretly giving money to a family so that the girls in the family could have a dowry & get married. Then it talks about how St. Nicolas continued giving to people. Other people gave to each other. And the stories of St. Nicolas spread all over the world. People called him Father Christmas, which is where Santa comes from. The book also talks about Jesus as the greatest gift that God gives to us and how we remember the gift of Jesus at Christmas.

A picturebook rendition of the historical roots

Saint Nicholas: The Real Story Of The Christmas Legend by Julie Stiegemeyer is a picturebook rendition of the historical roots of Father Christmas. Recounting the life of Saint Nicholas, a pastor in fourth-century Lycia (modern-day Turkey) whose generosity was so profound that he became known as "Father Christmas" and legends circulated about his home in the North Pole and his tradition of distributing gifts on Christmas Eve. Moving, realistic color illustrations by Chris Ellison bring heart to this true story of Christian compassion and inspiration.

Great for Christmas!

What a beautiful book! Full of great information about a real man. If your family observes St. Nicholas' Day -- December 6 -- you'll definitely want this book!

Beautiful Christmas Book for Children

I can't wait to give this as a gift to my nieces, nephews and a lot of my friends' children. I know my own kids are going to love it. This is a stunningly beautiful children's book! The paintings are amazing and beautiful. The story is powerful and really helps people understand what Christmas is all about. And the best thing is that there really was a man named Nicholas. You are going to love this book.