Celebrate the Feast of Saint Nicholas, a Wonderful Pre-Christmas Tradition for Children

A little known winter holiday, really a Saint's Day Celebration, is the Feast of Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas was the Bishop of Myra, in Turkey, in the early part of the fourth century. His Feast Day is December 6th. Feast Days celebrate the entry of the saint's soul into Heaven. Saint Nicholas is the Patron Saint of seafarers, scholars, bankers, pawnbrokers, jurists, brewers, coopers, travelers, perfumers, unmarried girls, brides, robbers and especially children. His symbol is three gold balls.

When I was a young child, my Mother, encouraged my sisters, brothers and myself to be kind and thoughtful towards family and others throughout the Holiday Season. We were encouraged to help others more during the Holiday Season and donate to organizations that help the needy. It helped us want to behave and help others when she told us about Saint Nicholas. He was a very kind man who went through the towns and countryside doing good works and trying to help the poor. He was particularly kind to children. He does not come to homes on December 25th like Santa Claus, but he does bring gifts to children. In fact the legend of Santa Claus is modeled a lot on the good works of Saint Nicholas. His Feast Day falls in the beginning of the Advent Season, during the countdown to Christmas, when we prepare for the coming of the Christ Child.

There are several stories about Saint Nicholas. One is of three young sisters whose parents were very poor and did not have enough money for dowries so their daughters could marry. Saint Nicholas, while he was Bishop of Myra, heard about them and wanted to help without anyone knowing. He devised a way to leave several coins each visit for the girls. One story version has him dropping them into their stockings while they were hung up to dry in front of the fireplace. Soon, after several visits, two of the girls were were able to marry. Their father later found out about the gift of coins Nicholas had left the three girls and was very grateful. But even after being asked to keep silent, he was unable to do so. Soon the story of Saint Nicholas' generosity and kindness had spread.

The most interesting part of the stories about Saint Nicholas to us were the stops he was said to make in the homes of good children. We were told he would fill their shoes full of candy, cookies, nuts and fruit, and sometimes even gifts. It was said he had a helper, a crooked little man named "Black Peter", and also a donkey, that carried his packs that were filled with gifts and treats. On the eve of the Feast of Saint Nicholas, we would put out one shoe each. We left them in front of the fireplace, where if we had been good, he would stop off and leave something for us. It seemed that no matter how naughty we might have been before this, we were always able to redeem ourselves before Saint Nicholas Eve.

After all these years it is still my favorite Saint's Day. I have numerous fond memories of waking up and finding the special pre-Christmas surprises. It is a tradition from my childhood I carried into parenthood for my own children. One I have encouraged them to continue with their children. Just a simple tradition in memory of a very special Saint to help keep the spirit of the Christmas Season.