Illustrative Objects

to Use with St. Nicholas Stories

• Blue Cloth on which to place items (it is blue, representing God's sky, under which we all live together and are to care for and help one another)—tell how Nicholas gave to others because that is what Jesus commanded us to do, but did so anonymously so people would understand that good gifts come from God

• Bishop's Miter—tell how Nicholas became a bishop, based on the oldest bishop's dream that the first person to appear at the church that morning, named "Nicholas" should be the new bishop
• Shepherd's Staff—tell how a bishop is to care for those in his care, like a shepherd cares for sheep

• Ship—tell how Nicholas saved some sailors at sea (he is also the patron saint for sailors)
• Sword—tell how Nicholas saved three men, who had been wrongly accused and were about to be executed
• Bag of Wheat—tell how Nicholas obtained bags of wheat from a reluctant sea captain (thus saving his people from starvation; and the bags were miraculously replaced)
• Nicene Creed in an altar book—tell of Nicholas standing up for his faith and belief in Christ

• Nicholas Icon—tell how he became known for his many good deeds, especially related to children
• Bag of "Clinky" Gold Coins—tell about the money to the poor father of three daughters
• Christmas Stocking (regular stocking and boot)—tell how children came to put out shoes or stockings in hopes of receiving something from St. Nicholas
• Orange—tell of the greedy and lonely young girl, who learned to treat others with more care and charity

• Wooden Bowl—tell about the three boys who were robbed by the innkeeper and his wife, and tossed into a pickle barrel

• Fur Hat—tell of the bully who had no warm hat, coat or gloves and who received them from Nicholas, after he stopped the bully from beating up another child

• Carrots and Jar of Wheat —tell how children used to put out food for St. Nicholas' donkey, which carried his large sack; also tell of St Nicholas' testing people to see if they would help him carry his sack—only a poor woodcutter would help him
• Bag of Walnuts—tell of the naughty little girl who went to the forest and was confronted by a wolf; St. Nicholas appeared, saved her, and gave her a walnut to remind her what had happened that day, and how close her disobedience had come to having her eaten by the wolf

See also Props and Talking Points

From Leo Treadway, who tells these stories at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, and the TRACES Museum in St. Paul, Minnesota. Used by permission.