Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend

by Julie Stiegemeyer, Chris Ellison (Illustrator)

Many parents and teachers struggle with how to approach the Saint Nicholas/Santa Claus dilemma. Many deal with this by telling children that the legends surrounding Santa Claus are based on a real, historical figure named Nicholas, a Christian bishop known for his generosity. This picture book presents a shortened, somewhat fictionalized version of the life of Saint Nicholas, explaining that Nicholas was a servant of God and that, through him, God's love was reflected to others. The story touches on the ministry of Nicholas and his generous gift of a dowry to three young girls as a response to God's love in Jesus. And it brings application to our own lives as we, too, respond with grateful hearts to God's great gift of love to us. Combining museum-quality artwork and family-friendly language, this book clearly articulates how God showered His love upon us through Christ and helps children see that our own gift-giving is a grateful response to the sacrificial gift of God's Son.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction, Religion, History, Catholic

Paperback

First published July 1, 2003

Reviews

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for our Saint of the day - Saint Nicholas. Complete with our chocolate gold coins! Beautiful story and illustrations about a generous, kind and holy man.

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful and stunning realistic paintings, one of my favorite books. This is the true story as it has been passed down of Saint Nicholas, father Christmas.

[Penelope · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to teach young children about the real story behind Saint Nicholas. Each year we read this book just before Saint Nicholas day, then celebrate the day (December 6th) by putting the kids' shoes outside their room at night. I put in gold chocolate coins (or oranges) for them to discover in the morning. I especially like the pictures of Saint Nicholas because the kids can see how our modern day Santa Claus was patterned after him. The book is a tad wordy for my 4 and 5 year olds, but we still enjoy it.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this book. I hadn't ever really known the story of how Santa Claus came about. I think this is one I'd like to have in my Christmas collection to teach my children about why we celebrate Christmas with these traditions.

[Beth Nieman · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a charming picture book! A gentle account of Bishop Nicholas of Myra, around whose life the legend of Santa Claus is based. There is a glossary at the end of the book to help young readers with some of the unfamiliar words. I liked the illustrations very much.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

we bought this book last christmas to help with any Santa Claus discussions. It is a delighthful book and I recommend it for any family that would like a good story book about St. Nicholas.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely and earnest depiction of the man who became Saint Nicholas, this book by Jule Stiegemeyer provided wonderful details which drew me in over and again. First, while Nicholas the man was portrayed as a pastor, there are details in his red clothing that allow children to see the connections to the jolly old soul we know as Santa Claus. This is not a story of "how St. Nicholas became Santa Claus," however, but instead starts with "A man named Nicholas lived a long time ago in a village by the turquoise sea. The village was called Myra, in a faraway country called Lycia." Stories about Nicholas' generous care for the community are presented, and the illustrations by Chris Ellison reveal different depictions of people as well as the villages. These incidents reveal the religious stories that are associated with this bishop, here described as a "pastor." At the end of the book is a glossary with key vocabulary; I like this detail, for it provides a bit more sophistication. I was given this as a gift, and I am touched that a friend loves the story of St. Nicholas like I do.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exquisite pictures adorn this wonderful tale that explains where our ideas of a jolly, generous man came from.

Ages: 4 - 9

Cleanliness: nothing to note.

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[Tyrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an essential resource for Christian parents with young children. My children love it! My wife and I read it to our kids every year around December 6th for at least the first ten years of their lives. It’s the best Saint Nicholas book available. Hands down.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

2018 Ryan loved hearing the facts since the myths were already so familiar to him.

2021 Ryan lay on the back porch with his feet in Mimi’s lap as she read the story while we waited for Mom to arrive with Abby.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good version. Nicholas is a pastor, and people don't pray to him.

This account is "somewhat fictionalized," but it's "the real story." Huh.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this for the girls for Christmas 2018. I also reviewed paperback version.

[Joel Kersey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid telling of what we know of the historical Saint Nicholas. Includes good connections to the the Gospel driven focus of the man. Colorful artwork.

[Heidi Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read every year

[Michael Thiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great children’s book on the story of St Nick! I enjoyed reading it to Lily and Francine. Took about 15 minutes.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

How fitting to reread this beloved book of my childhood on Christmas Day! Seriously, one of my most favorite books of all time, it inspired me to be the person I am today.

[Vanessa Costa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is ambiguous and could have used better explanatios. St Nicholas of Myra was a Catholic bishop, the book calls him a "pastor" which a bishop is but I think they should have been more specific, and then to make it worse they've included a glossary at the end which defines pastor as "a man called by God to a local congregation to serve the people there with the gifts from God: the preached Word, Baptism and the Lord's supper."
Which brings me to my next point: as a Catholic bishop he offered communion at the Holy sacrifice of the Mass. The book says "he gave them the Lord's supper.
To me, the worse part though as a Catholic, is the definition for Saint in the glossary: this is a word from the Greek language that means"holy one". A Christian is holy by faith in Christ, our Redeemer." A Christian is NOT holy only through faith. They must live according to God's laws and if they do commit a sin they must repent, confess their sins to a priest and then make penance for their sins in order to be holy, in addition to having faith. They must live out their faith, not just believe. Also in the definition of "the Lord's supper" they call it a celebration, when it's actually a sacrifice, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
And in the notes to grown ups it says the story is somewhat fictionalized, which I'm guessing they are referring to the names and possible characters in the family which saint Nicholas helped by leaving dowrys for the girls but that's about it. Everything else did happen. In my opinion they should have made that more clear.
The pictures are beautiful and other than the the story is well told which is why I gave it 3 stars.

[Lynnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! if you want to teach your kids about the real Saint Nicholas. my 3-year-old sat through it multiple times because the pictures are soft, colorful, and inviting. I am not sure he grasped that this was talking about the person Santa Claus is based off of. but I think next year he will be able to understand it much more. there aren't too many words on a page, but I would say he probably wouldn't have sat through this when he was two.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the origins of a pastor who lived in the village of Myra, and how his love of children and the help with providing a dowry to three daughter's of a poor family allowing them to marry led to to be known as Saint Nicholas. Nicholas's unselfish and thoughtful acts has led others to mimic and celebrate the gift of giving.

[Christie Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

We don’t do Santa Claus in our home but we love to celebrate Saint Nicholas Day on December 6th. I love that this picture book explains who the real Saint Nicholas was and that Jesus was the reason for his generosity and giving spirit. It’s one we read in our home each year since we’ve gotten it.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, realistic art. Good story but not quite as smooth a read in a couple places. This version focuses on the story of how he helped 3 girls by giving them gold. It emphasizes his role as a pastor and his love of God.

[Mary T · Rating 5 out of 5]

#cbad 2018-2019 - 5th grade SCA - 12/6/18 - average rating 4.7

[Lana Pavlaković]

This is a book from 2003? It looks much older. Btw, the word saint comes from Latin sanctus, not from Greek.

[Doniell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fine story that re-enacts the basic facts about Saint Nicholas. Great read at the back of the book for adults/teachers. The pictures are engaging, and the story moves smoothly.

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't do a very good job with the story line - sort of hop in and out of the story in seeking to clarify customs. Nice religious ending.