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St. Nicholas Tele-Santa
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In the spirit of giving, the Department of Religious Education (DRE)

is pleased toannounce a new collaboration with

the Saint Nicholas Tele-Santa Program to present a new seasonal series:

the Kids Nativity Series,

a special holiday initiative designed to bring the true meaning of Christmas into the

hearts and homes of our children and their families everywhere.

​

This holiday season, our Kids Nativity Series offers 12 short stories that celebrate both

the Incarnation of our Lord and the life and legacy of Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of

Myra. Designed for children, parents, and Sunday School teachers alike, the series

connects the Christmas spirit to the meaning of Salvation and the familiar figure of

Santa Claus to the real-life saint. Each story offers a meaningful way for children to

understand the deeper significance of the holiday, bridging the secular traditions they

know with the timeless teachings of the Church.

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About DRE

The Department of Religious Education (DRE) serves as a leading resource for faith

formation, offering tools, programs, and materials to help children, youth, and adults

grow in their understanding of Orthodox Christianity. The department strives to nurture

the spiritual development of individuals and communities across the Archdiocese.

How It Works

For Parents:

Step 1: Sign Up for a Call

    1. Visit www.stnicholas-tele-santa.com to register your child(ren) for a personal call from "Saint Nicholas."

    2. Go to the "Schedule a Video Call for Families" page on the Tele-Santa website: https://www.stnicholas-tele-santa.com/family-call

      1. During registration, you’ll complete this brief form with your child’s/children’s name(s), age(s), name day(s), and highlights or achievements from the year.

    3. Calls take place via Zoom between December 6 and December 24. A volunteer Tele-Santa will initiate the process to schedule a mutually agreeable time for the video call.

  2. Step 2: Prepare with the Kids Nativity Series

    1. Before your scheduled call, read one or more Kids Nativity Series stories with your child.

      1. Choose stories that focus on the Nativity or the life of Saint Nicholas to help your child reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.

  3. Step 3: Experience the Call

    1. When Saint Nicholas calls, your child can share what they’ve learned from the stories.

    2. Santas may also read a short passage from the Kids Nativity Series during the call, helping connect the conversation to the Gospel message.

    3. End the call with a family prayer or a reflection on the story.

For Religious Educators:

  • Step 1: Schedule a Classroom Call

    1. Visit www.stnicholas-tele-santa.com

    2. Go to the "Schedule a Video Call for Classrooms" page on the Tele-Santa website: https://www.stnicholas-tele-santa.com/classroom-call

    3. Fill out the educator/teacher registration form.

    4. Confirm your classroom meets technical requirements:

      1. Access to Zoom software

      2. A large screen (Smart TV or Smart Board) visible to the class

      3. A strong internet connection (wired or wireless)

      4. Quality microphone and speaker so that all students can hear and be heard.

    5. Once submitted, you’ll receive a Zoom invite from the program to host the call.

  • Step 2: Incorporate the Kids Nativity Series into your Curriculum

    1. Select from the 12 short stories in the Kids Nativity Series that best match your Advent or Nativity teaching sequence.

      1. Begin with the Incarnation-/Nativity-themed stories to lead up to Christmas.

      2. Follow with the stories about Saint Nicholas of Myra to dovetail with the upcoming call.

    2. Use the stories in class: read aloud, assign them as take-home reading, or use them as discussion prompts.

    3. Prepare discussion questions or activities. For example:

      1. "How did Saint Nicholas show Christ’s love in his life?"

      2. "What does the birth of Christ mean for our world and our parish?"

      3. "How can we follow Saint Nicholas’s example of generosity during Advent?"

  • Step 3: Host the Classroom Call & Follow Up

    1. On the scheduled date and time, launch the Zoom call in your classroom with the students gathered.

    2. "Saint Nicholas" will greet the class, answer the submitted student questions, and may read a short passage from the Kids Nativity Series as part of the conversation.

    3. After the call, engage the class in a follow-up activity:

      1. Have each student reflect (verbally, in writing, or via drawing) on something they heard from Saint Nicholas or the stories that touched them.

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