MANSFIELD, Ohio – St. Nicholas and Buddy the Elf joined forces Friday morning to visit the elementary classrooms of St. Peter’s Schools and lead the students in song.
The Rev. Jeremy Miller and seminary student Andrew Wellmann portrayed the characters while singing, sharing candy, and talking to children about the revered saint, considered by some to be the forerunner to Santa Claus.
“I always tell the kids they were very good friends,” Miller said. “That might make it less confusing, especially for the younger kids.”
St. Nicholas was born during the third century in Patara, Greece. Today the region is on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents died while he was young, but instilled a devout Christian background.
Nicholas earned a storied place in Christianity for sharing his vast fortune with the less-fortunate, the sick and suffering.
“The teachers were asked to review the life of St. Nicholas before Father Jeremy came to their classrooms today,” said Madalyn Bauer, St. Peter’s Elementary School principal. “There should be a connection between St. Nicholas and giving.”
Miller was dressed in extravagant Bishop St. Nicholas garb, while Wellmann donned Buddy the Elf clothes, reminiscent of the movie Elf.
The duo made their way up the floors, stopping at classrooms for Miller to strum his guitar and lead the singing of “Jolly Old St. Nicholas.” A couple of teachers were bribed with candy to sing a solo verse of the song while students hummed in the background.
“St. Nicholas was a real guy. He is (referenced) in most cultures as the origin of Santa Claus,” Miller said.”Gift giving is in the origin of Christmas as well.”
St. Peter’s students were encouraged to bring nickles to school as part of a fundraiser to reinforce the lesson of gift giving. They were also allowed to be out of dress code, part of the celebration of the Feast of St. Nicholas on Dec. 6. That date marks the anniversary of his death. He was Bishop of Myra until he died on Dec. 6, 343 AD.
An ancient Christian tradition is for children to leave their shoes out overnight in front of a fireplace or bedroom door so St. Nicholas can leave candy in them. Students emulated that tradition Thursday night on the second floor of the school and Miller and Wellmann toted a bag of candy to each classroom to share goodies with the youngsters.
“The spirit of generosity is what I’d like the kids to learn,” Miller said.
