By Lou Baldwin • Posted December 11, 2018

It is surprising how many people do not believe in Santa Claus. But we live in an age when it is not politically correct to say, “Merry Christmas,” substituting instead a wishy-washy “Happy Holidays.”

But we all know there really is a Santa Claus, because that’s just an anglicized nickname for St. Nicholas, a wonderfully generous fourth-century bishop who lived in Asia Minor and whose feast happens to be Dec. 6, a perfect time to usher in the gift-giving of Christmastide.

This true spirit of Christmas, which is giving, not receiving, is dramatically displayed at St. Matthew Church in Northeast Philadelphia on every St. Nicholas Feast Day. The children of the parish school, kindergarten through eighth grade, bring many hundreds of toys to the church, not to be exchanged but freely given to less fortunate children in their community and beyond.

A culminating event is a special Mass honoring St. Nicholas, patron saint of children. (See two dozen photos from the Mass here.)

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This year, a special event was the symbolic presence of the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph, as portrayed by Aubree Ross and Cooper Mawery, two of the tiniest students at St. Matthew School.

“Two of the most remarkable people in history are Mary and Joseph,” said St. Matthew’s pastor, Father Patrick Welsh, in his brief homily.

“Mary had to say yes to the angel to be the Mother God,” he explained. “Joseph had to say yes to the angel to be the foster father of Jesus, and in this way God prepared the world for the gift of Jesus.

“We take time to make sure that someone who needs something at Christmas will get it. This is what God did for us. We needed a Savior, so he sent Jesus.”

The annual celebration of the Feast of St. Nicholas through gift giving at St. Matthew goes back many years, according to organizer Pat Guerin, a 7th grade teacher and mother of six, who along with her husband, Paul, has worked at the event for the past 25 years or so.

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“I just love helping people and they let me do this,” she said. “All of the presents will be out of here by Dec. 19. We start with people in the parish then with organizations or people who call us that have a need. This is only part of our outreach ministry. We also have a uniform exchange for school families, meals for seniors.”

Although St. Matthew does indeed have a multitude of programs, “This is one of the nicest and most satisfying things we have all year,” agreed Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister John Magdalen, the principal of 620-student St. Matthew School.

“We recently collected $2,500 for the missions and every class is doing Christmas and Advent things, and this is the high point. The kids love getting stuff but they love to bring these gifts in. It brings the people here; we pray for the people who receive gifts. It is just a great event.”

Clearly the greatest gift of the annual “toy Mass” is the lesson learned by the school students.

“It’s fun,” said eighth grader Grace Hartzell, who has been participating for five years and this year donated a Lego set and a board game. “We get to donate toys to kids who wouldn’t have any.”

At the other end of the school spectrum was Hope Mariner, who is in kindergarten. “I brought a teddy bear,” she said. As for what she wants for Christmas, “a doll,” she said.

But perhaps her greatest gift is one she is subtly learning now. It is truly better to give than to receive.