Candy in my shoes!

Today I'm celebrating St Nicholas Day!

St Nicholas is universally recognized as the model for our modern day Santa Claus. The St. Nicholas Center's website describes the origins of St Nicholas Day and how it is celebrated around the world. It describes how a real-life bishop who flourished in the 4th century as Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, in what is now Turkey, earned his sainthood for numerous miracles. He was best known as a kind and generous man who showed his devotion to God in extraordinary acts of kindness and generosity. St Nicholas was a lover of the poor and patron saint of children. Today, in many parts of the world, St Nicholas delivers gifts on the eve of his Feast Day, December 6, and Christmas is reserved for the religious observance of Christ's birth. Traditional celebrations of Saint Nicholas Day in Northern Europe include gifts left in children's shoes (the origin of our American Christmas stockings). The good children receive treats (candies, cookies, apples and nuts) while naughty children receive switches or lumps of coal. In anticipation of St. Nicholas's visit, children in several European countries today put their shoes in front of the fireplace.

Many families in the US have reported neat ways they celebrate St. Nick's Day:

• put the letter to Santa in the Christmas stocking
• give a special tree ornament to each other
• decorate the Christmas tree and share holiday treats
• put the final touches on the Christmas decorations, hanging tree ornaments and turning on the outside lights

During this holiday season, you can celebrate the true spirit behind St Nick by emulating the Bishop's kindness. You and your family can set aside some time to focus more on giving to others in need than on receiving. Some suggested activities:

• donate toys for a local toy drive
• buy gifts for a local "Christmas angel"
• donate clothing and toys to a local charity
• make gifts for the special people in your lives
• make goodies and visit an elderly or ill neighbor
• make some goodies for your neighbors
• visit a nursing home and sing carols
• prepare and send a care package to an American soldier
  

Here's a holiday song about St. Nick that you might enjoy:

As posted on Youtube by johnmcgroove

Today I hope that you will embrace the St Nicholas tradition and focus on giving to those you know who are in need.

Image credit: James C. Christensen, The Greenwich Workshop