Book on St. Nicholas

Jolly Old St. Nicholas — did he really smoke a pipe and have a stomach that shook like a bowlful of jelly? Voice of the Martyrs produced a 40-page storybook that  teaches kids about Nicholas of Myra, the real man behind the legend of Santa Claus: The Story of St. Nicholas: More Than Reindeer and a Red Suit by Cheryl Odden (On Pointe, 2007). Living at the time when the Romans ruled the world, Nicholas refused to bow the knee to anyone but Jesus, the Son of God. This move landed him in prison. Later in his life, Nicholas endured persecution from church leaders when he took a stand against a false doctrine. Nicholas is a wonderful example of someone who stood strong in his faith in the midst of opposition and served others with a generous, giving spirit. The Story of St. Nicholas is appropriate for children ages 5-10. Younger children will love the beautiful illustrations. For older children, the content lends itself to a discussion about the true meaning of Christmas and how we live that out in our daily lives. It’s not just about the guy who brings the toys. Available from Voice of the Martyrs or Amazon.com.