Nikolaus Tag or What I Learned From Santa

Yesterday was December 6. Christmas is always a very special season for us in the ministry and the Father's House turns into castle of light. We live in the Philippines for more then 20 years, but we can't deny our German roots. Some traditions are part of it. One is that we give DECEMBER 6 "Nikolaus Tag" a special attention. I usually give little gifts to my kids; even they are already somewhat grown up. Also our kids in the Father's House know this special German day and they bring out one shoe in the night of the 5th for Nikolaus to fill it with goodies (of course they know that the house mother is filling the shoes).
As I was thinking about our traditions and our love for the Christmas season I got inspired with the actual historical story of Saint Nicholas. He tragically lost his parents at young age and grew up as an orphan. Santa...an...Orphan? Yes, there is evidently something special about orphans. When we look at biographies of some important people (latest example would be Steve Jobs) who influenced the world or who achieved extraordinary things in life, we find out that many of them were orphaned or half orphaned. Saint Nicholas lost his parents due to an epidemic and got raised by his uncle. The boy was very God fearing and when he was a grown up he became a Bishop. He was known for his desire for social justice, his soft heart of mercy and his love for kids. There are many stories on how he experienced awesome miracles of provision and how he helped the poor. Amazing, isn't it? Then I looked at this wild little city jungle boy that jumped around our Father's House compound. Barefoot. Huge and torn clothes, shaved head, skinny like a skeleton. A street boy, around eight years old who desperately wants to live with us. I know about his background. His father got shot many years ago by the police, his mother never cared, he grew up as the youngest with his siblings in the streets. Now he is with us. The first shower last night was pure excitement for him. So much water. Proper soap and clean clothes to wear after showering. His first night in a big and clean bed was also a new experience for him. Another orphan living with us. Who knows what amazing destinies our kids have. They have the full potential to do amazing things for God in this hurting world. Thinking about this, I love Santa all the more!