I believe in Santa Claus. I just call him by his proper name: Nicholas

[hedgehog]

Here's how I figure it: when kids hope for toys, St Nicholas hears their prayers and nudges their parents or other folks along. Just because St.Nicholas doesn't personally deliver them doesn't mean the gifts aren't from him!

My kids always left their letter for St. Nicholas out with their shoes when they went to bed Dec. 5.

(Now I know that when we pray to the saints, we're supposed to be asking them to intercede for us, but it's been a long tradition that some saints have a particular interest in specific aspects of our lives. It makes some wince, but a popular prayer is "Tony, Tony, turn around. Something's lost and must be found!" Hey, if someone calls from the grocery store to say your wallet was found in the parking lot, I'm glad to give St. Anthony the credit.)

[CBHagman]

1. Hey, I've prayed to find my motivation.

And it can't hurt to have Anthony on your side, can it?

[Matilda]

2. Well, "Klaus" is the diminutive of Nicholas (Nicklaus),

so you're just giving him his proper name.

My children were educated at a Rudolf Steiner (Waldorf) school, and their traditions are European,
particularly German, and St Nicholas was the name used at school. On December 5th, he left a packet
of sultanas and nuts in their shoes. Of course, they still got Christmas presents, but we tried
to avoid shopping mall Santas as much as possible, and put the emphasis on the birth story of Christ
rather than presents.

[hedgehog]

3. I think the story of St, Nicholas is a means of bringing everyone to Jesus, not

a competitor.

Consider the story of how Nicholas saved the three girls from being sold into prostitution. Did they do anything to deserve his concern? That's not mentioned in the story. For all we know, their father gambled away their dowries and they were so mean that no one would marry them without a dowry. They needed help, and God sent Nicholas to help them.

Today children receive presents for Christmas whether they deserve them or not. At best, St, Nicholas receives a token plate of cookies in return. Isn't this how we receive grace from God? We don't deserve it, we can't earn it but it is there for us whenever we need it.

[knitter4democracy]

4. I love his story.

Saving those girls from prostitution makes him a saint in my book. :)