The Three Dowries
by Scott Jex
A story long forgotten,
an act of kindness seldom told,
That influenced many cultures
Throughout the world, both new and old.An orphan heard some rumors
Of a man unable to work
Three daughters under his care
The family was in a murk.With a father unable to provide,
In days of old these daughters three
To get married the father would need
A gift to give, a dowry.This orphan, now a young man,
An inheritance he did receive.
Observant, this young man saw
This family had much to grieve.At night he snuck up to their house
And through their window, he decided
To drop some gold into a stocking
Hoping they’d be delighted.Morning came, as it always does,
With their outlook bleak and dire.
The girls got up to put on their stockings
That were hanging to dry by the fire.The eldest’s stocking had a surprise,
And sitting at her bedside,
She pulled out a small brown bag,
Inside something did reside.Her sisters gathered all around,
Her father sat up to watch beside.
His first daughter untied the string
And they all beheld the gold inside.For the miracle that just happened
With tears of Joy they all did weep.
Now the eldest was able to marry,
Her fiancé she could keep.Seeing how the tender father
Pure love he did show,
Giving to his daughter
The money he did bestow.This young man once again,
Through the window he let go
And placed another bag into
a stocking by the flame aglow.Morning came again
And to the stockings they did go.
The second daughter put on her sock
And found the bag with her toe.Once again they gave thanks to God
For the miracle they had received.
The father began to wonder
Who helped them while they grieved.Loving the way it made him feel
To help this precious family
The orphan chose to complete the task
And give them the last of his money.To the window he snuck
As soon as the lights went out,
Peering through the window,
He noticed no one was aboutSuddenly he heard a noise
He dropped the bag into a shoe.
The father saw this time
And the orphan he did pursue."Stop!" yelled the man
Who followed close behind.
"I must know," he said,
"Who has been so kind.""Thank you," the father said,
"For relieving my deepest cares."
Embracing the man he said,
"You’ve answered all my prayers.""What’s your name?" the Father asked.
"I really want to know.
Who is this generous man
Who helped my family so?""Nicholas, they call me.
Please don’t misunderstand.
The credit goes to God,
For I was just a helping hand."Please give God the credit,
To him it is deserved.
He gave his life to redeem us;
All of us he loved and served."I am just doing my best,
The will of whom I sing
To help you know you’re loved
By He who is your king."A young man’s story
Inspires us still today
He gave this family a gift
As God does every day.The young man’s story,
Who gave with a higher cause,
As this young man we now call him
The one and only Santa Claus.