Catalano Releases a Christmas Book Centered on Santa, Baby Jesus

Former Hollidaysburg author Tom Catalano has released his latest book entitled “Nicholas, the Santa Story.”

Growing up, Catalano always celebrated Christmas the traditional way, with Santa, gift-giving, the Christmas tree and all of the other pageantry that goes along with the season.

“We always knew that the reason that we did all of that was in celebration of the birth of Jesus,” Catalano said. “At our house, we have a Christmas tree ornament that shows Santa kneeling next to baby Jesus. I love the idea that Santa was humbling himself before the baby.”

Catalano said that one day he began thinking about what the experience would have meant to him if he had been in that place at that time. This inspired him to write a rhyming story about how Nicholas visited baby Jesus and ultimately became Santa Claus.

This idea had been percolating in his mind for a long time.

“It took me a while to connect with the right illustrator, Catalono said. “The cover illustration shows Santa kneeling next to Baby Jesus and is a painting done by an artist known as Lester Yocum. Several of his works are in the book.”

Catalano said that the book is not heavily religious, although Nicholas, in the story, hears the voice of God who foretells the birth of a Savior, which starts him out on his journey.

He adds that the book will appeal to anyone familiar with Santa Claus. It is also special to anyone of the Christian faith. It connects the secular tradition of the holiday with the birth of Jesus. “My goal and my hope as the author is that it reminds the reader, whether that’s children, parents or grandparents what the true meaning of the holiday is. Santa is fun. The pageantry of the Christmas celebrations is fun, but we should not forget the true meaning of the holiday. I think that the book reminds us of that.

“It is different than other Christmas books. It is not a little kid’s book, but it will appeal to children. I would like to think of it as a Christmas keepsake book.”