Is Santa Claus real?
Yes. His name was Nicholas and he is one of the most celebrated saints of all time. He was born in Asia Minor in the 4th Century. He thirsted for "sincere and true religion." When his parents died, he inherited a large fortune that he wished to use to serve others.
His most famous act of charity is secretly throwing bags of gold into the home of an impoverished man with three daughters . Because he had no money, the man was thinking about selling his daughters into prostitution. Nicholas's aid gave each daughter the dowry she needed to marry. The last time Nicholas came, the father saw him and showered him with gratitude.
Few people know that Nicholas also suffered great persecution before Constantine rose to power. He stood against the unjust execution of three innocent men and may have even been at the council of Nicea (where the Bible was canonized).
A few hundred years after his death a Greek said of Saint Nicholas, "the West as well as the East acclaims and glorifies him. Wherever there are people, in the country and the town, in the villages, in the isles, in the furthest parts of the earth, his name is revered and churches are built in his honor. Images of him are set up, panegyrics preached and festivals celebrated. All Christians, young and old, men and women, boys and girls, reverence his memory and call upon his protection. And his favors, which know no limit of time and continue from age to age, are poured out over all the earth; the Scythians know them, as do the Indians and the barbarians, the Africans as well as the Italians." (as qtd on Catholic.org)
Courage: facing persecution, standing firm in his faith
Brave deeds: decrying injustice, rescuing three innocent men from death.
Noble qualities: selflessness, compassion, wisdom, Christ-lover, seeker of truth.
Conclusion: HERO--no doubt.
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