Customer Reviews

A Gift from St. Nicholas

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a Christian and the mother of a four year old, I was thrilled to find this exquisite book. First, it is richly illustrated by Bruce Eagle with charming characters and vibrant color. The story is told in verse, which makes it appealing to all ages and even more memorable. The story is sweet and whimsical and allows Christian parents to embrace the story of Santa and to use it as a springboard to share the truth of Jesus Christ. As Christians, we often discard many Christmas traditions as being rooted in paganism and as detracting from the birth of Jesus. This book smartly places the focus squarely on the birth of Christ, and it does it with warmth and tenderness. I encourage parents not to discard Santa, but to use this hero of the faith, Nikolaus of Myra who was tortured and imprisoned for his faith, as an example of faithfulness and giving. Nikolaus's gift giving pointed to Jesus. Santa can, too.

I was delighted to find this book! The first page tells of many different cultural beliefs about Santa (the reindeer part originated in Russia, the Dutch were the first to call him Santa Claus, Americans are the ones who made him a fat guy in a red and white suit - go figure!) It incorporates Bible verses and tells who St. Nicholas is. It focuses on asking WHY we get presents on Christmas, instead of WHO brings them. St. Nicholas had a dream which was a vision from God, asking him to be the vehicle that Jesus uses to deliver gifts to children everywhere to spread the joy of Jesus' birth. It is really a neat way to tie the two together. I highly recommend this book :)

I loved this book...the biblical references and perspectives gave me a new and deeper way of looking at Christmas and St. Nocholas that I'll keep forever. As I considered the number of books I wanted to give as gifts, my list just kept growing. Then I realized that I wished every family had this book--and that they would all be blessed by sharing it together every holiday season!!! It is a very beautiful and meaningful story.

In my own book, "Santa Claus: Is He For Your Child?," I expressed some misgivings about Santa's message: "You better be good or no presents!" I always felt it was a legalistic message that clouded over the message of love of the Gospel, a love manifested when God became man and was laid in a manger as a baby.

This book addresses those misgivings. It presents what we know of the history of Nicholas. The author does acknowledge that myths and legends grew up around the life story.

The book is a letter presumable written by Nicholas to explain his gifts. The letter deflects the focus on St. Nick and directs it to the Great Gift of the baby in the manger, a baby who came to redeem us from our sins.

The book contains vibrant illustrations. Many are of the various dress that different cultures portray Nicholas in, rather than what he might have worn as a bishop on present day Turkey. There are also several illustrations of the Holy Family and the Christmas scene. Some modern day illustrations, such as the Salvation Army band, tie the story to current day readers.

Each illustration, if you look closely, has a Bible passage cited by book/chapter/verse. One can look up these passages, especially if one has a favorite translation. Or turn to the back and find the passages printed out. I suggest going to the source (the Bible) and reading the passages in context.

Overall a delightful book with a focus on Christ.

The best thing about this book is the beautiful illustrations, but they can't support the purchase of the book. Some reviews have lauded the connection between St. Nicholas and the Christian faith, however...much of it is extra biblical and totally cultural. The fact is, Nicholas translates quickly into Santa Claus, with one illustration showing him with an elf hat on. Then there's the "vision" Nicholas gets from God telling him that he'll have to carry on the tradition of giving. Give me a break!!! This is pure hokey, meant for a child's fantasy life, and not an adult. Forget about reading this to a child!! In our family, we teach our girls that Jesus Christ, and Him exclusively, is the reason for Christmas. Not some fat little man in a red and white suit who gives to everyone who asks.

Where's the balance, and where's the reviewers thinking caps?

Christmas is about Jesus Christ, the reigning King of Kings and Lord of Lords!! Our four year old girls know this. Why doesn't this author know it, and why does the author insist on keeping Santa Claus alive and trying to continue to paganize Christmas? At least read the history of Nicholas of Myra, and you can use discretion to separate the myth from the legend from the fantasy.

In our home, we are receiving gifts at the manger where the Christ child lays. Not in the tree or the Ho, Ho, Ho!!! It's time we grew up!!! This book was a waste of money!!! (Unless you love beautiful illustrations)