Santa Wages Peace
 
Biographical Information
Name: Saint Nicholas
Alias:  Santa Claus
Born:  Around 250
Hometown: Myra, Turkey
Industry: Peace Maker, Giver to the poor and needy, protector of Women and Children, Advocate for the rights and fair treatment of prisoners.
Occupation: Bishop of Myra
Now Living:  In the hearts of loving children.
 
IWagePeace@mac.com
 
 
Saint Nicholas, the “father of Christmas”, was born about 275 years after Jesus. He took seriously Jesus teachings about being generous to the poor.
    For Saint Nick, everyday was Christmas (Jesus Birthday), which the kindly Bishop celebrated by giving to the poor and needy of the world.  He  found great joy in generosity, and inspired others, so they too would give generously to the less fortunate.  
    He was taken prisoner by the Romans for his faith. Upon his release he became a mighty advocate for the fair treatment of prisoners and a protector of women and children from abuse and exploitation.  Rome legalized Christianity during Bishop Nicholas’ life time and over the centuries, his fame traveled across Christendom to Amsterdam, where they called him Santa Clause.
 
What do you want for Christmas?
1.  Why do you suppose American culture focuses on “getting toys” instead of Giving to those in need?
 
2.  St. Nicholas reached out to the poor.  How are you in community with the poor?
 
3.  Justice and Peace making go hand in hand.  How did Saint Nicholas Wage Peace?
 
    Once upon a time, on Christmas Day in the Year One, a Jewish boy was born of unwed Jewish parents.    ( Uh Oh! )
    For many years this family lived as political refugees in Egypt, but they eventually returned to their homeland of Israel in Roman occupied Palestine.  
    The Child grew up while foreign armies oppressed their homeland.  He taught his people that Love, Forgiveness, and Active Non-violence was the best antidote to Roman rule.  
    As He taught his followers to give generously to the poor he also opened the doors of his Jewish faith to the people of all nations everywhere.  They called him the “Prince of Peace”, Christmas is his birthday, and Saint Nicholas, the Bishop of Myra, Turkey, did everything in his name.

The completed billboard will show to 100,000 daily viewer on I-95 in Stratford CT 

Clockwise: 1. Artwork by Sarah Barrett, Age 8  2. Sarah and her dad 3. Sarah and brother Robbie . 4 Classmates during production. 5.An interview with Neil Macnamara of the New Haven Register.

Peace!  We all want peace for Christmas.  And while few of us are international diplomats, Senators, or Congressmen, many of us are citizens of the most wealthy country in the world.  All of us can Wage Peace by giving generously to organizations dedicated to Peace and Justice throughout the world.  This Christmas, our family gave each child $100 to give to the charity of their choice.  Our son gave to his school’s scholarship fund.  Our daughter gave to a Korean adoption agency.  I am giving to both Christian Peace Keeping Teams (CPT.Org) and Amnesty International.  My wife is giving to the Heifer Project.  How will you celebrate Christmas?  Please remember to “give until it feels good!”  Merry Christmas. 

Give to Amnesty International, because Santa was an advocate for prisoners rights and safety.
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Santa was an advocate for poor children in need, why not give to Heifer or Unicef?