Saint Nicholas Day

Advent Journal

Dec. 6: Saint Nicholas Traditions

Last night, following our Advent Rituals, the boys eagerly selected their 'favorite' shoe and set it beside the (electric :) fireplace in our living room.

Saint Nicholas Day was always a big deal in our home, growing up. We often celebrated it on December 7th instead of the 6th because my mom usually forgot the night before but regardless of the date, we always woke up to discover treats in our shoe one a year.

After much prayer and careful consideration (I really agonized over this one) my husband and I have decided not to keep the tradition of Santa Claus in our home. I know, we are those crazy Scrooge parents but while my husband did not grow up believing in Santa Claus, I was so devastated when my mom finally told me the truth (yes, she had to tell me at the age of ten - I was a very innocent, sensitive child, I guess) that we have decided to keep the focus on the birth of Jesus instead of Santa Claus/Saint Nicholas for our children.

For that reason, my children know that it is me who filled their shoes last night and not Saint Nicholas but we keep this tradition just as we do for other Church Feast Days in honor of the saints in heaven. What is important to me is that they learn about this great saint's works of charity and love for Baby Jesus and create happy memories of this special day. 

Judging by the looks on their faces as their eyes behold their candy-shoes, I'd say they created some pretty happy memories of today.

Their shoes contained a Little Debbie tree-shaped cake, a candy cane, a little bag of m & m's, a little bag of fruit snacks, a packet of hot cocoa, and a dollar.

Imagine my joy as our oldest, upon discovering that I did not receive a dollar in my shoe, offered to give me his! When I thanked him profusely but refused his offer, he decided that he would put his dollar in the basket at Mass. And his little brother followed his brother's charitable example. My husband and I were so proud as our sons put their very own dollar bills in the collection this morning.

Since we happened to be at my parent's house last night, I even managed to sneak away for a few minutes to fill my sister's and dad's shoes with a few little treats before we left. It was so fun! :)