Saint Nicholas, the Bishop In Red
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In 2009 when I was in Turkey I went on a boat trip calling at a small island off the south east coast called Gemiler, scientists and archeologists are sure that one of the four ruined churches on the island was the original burial place of Saint Nicholas the bishop of Myra. His good deeds are legendary and its him who is the original Father Christmas.
A little girl approached her mother and said to her one day
"Santa Claus is not real, that's what all my friends say"
Her tears began to well up and she started to cry
And said "Mommy, Is Santa Claus real or is he a lie ?".
Her mom was taken aback that she'd been put to the test
And thought telling her the truth would be for the best
She thought for a few moments and chose her words carefully
And then said. "Santa's spirit is real, it's as real as can be".
"He lived in a place called Myra close by the Aegean sea
That once was part of Greece, but is now in Turkey
He departed his earthly life a very long time ago
But certainly not his spirit and that continues to grow".
"His name was Bishop Nicholas and he wore robes of red
Was wealthy and helped the poor making sure they were fed
And he did things in secret, whilst they slept in their bed
Word soon got around, about the caring bishop in red".
"Something else about him that many people don't know
Was that he came from a hot country and it didn't snow.
But the story grew bigger and bigger over the years
With snow, elves and sleigh added, along with reindeers".
"All over the world, all the little girls and boys
Wake up early on Christmas morning to lots of new toys
And then everyone says that Santa Claus has been
Presents are left under the tree, but he's never seen".
"But it's the parents that leave the presents under the tree
And Saint Nicholas guides them with his legacy
They do it for you out of sheer kindness and love
Under the watchful eyes of Saint Nicholas from high above".
"He's the patron Saint of children, poets and glasssmakers
Along with sailors, brides, prisoners and shopkeepers
There are many more attributed to him, the bishop in red
Because of the compassionate lifestyle that he led".
"And his caring spirit is alive, it's certainly not dead
The world is full of good people like the bishop in red
All doing good for the less fortunate and animals as well
So when you next see your friends, this story do tell".
The little girl cheered up then kissed her mom and said
"I too want to be like Saint Nicholas the bishop in red"
And when I grow up, like the bishop I will try to be
By helping those who are less fortunate and worse off than me".
Be like Bishop Nicholas who performed those good deeds.
Helping the less fortunate, seeing to their needs
So when you go out try and help, the less fortunate in some way
And not just at Christmas but throughout the year every day.
(I wrote this poem back in 2017 and have given it an overhaul and added another stanza.)
Written 13th December 2017
Updated on 18th December 2021.
Copyright © Tom Cunningham | Year Posted 2021
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