Whose feast is it tomorrow, December 6? Hint: his name is in an old and familiar Christmas carol! As children, my sister and I used to put out our shoes on this night, with hopeful anticipation that Jolly Old St. Nick would stop by and leave a toy or treat. How we loved awakening on the morning of December 6th, running to the door of the bedroom, and checking what might have appeared over night! Then, I entered the convent and WOW … we celebrated St. Nick in a BIG way in the novitiate! Such good fun.
This feast reminds me of the call to be childlike. Think of how children”wait” for Christmas … or any holiday, for that matter … for their birthdays … for school to be out for the summer …. There is such anticipation. Such eagerness. Such expectation.
Advent is like that … a time of expectant waiting with eagerness and joy. Tonight invites a little fun into this season, a little more expectation and hope. Put out a shoe. Share the story of the good St. Nicholas’ generosity. Play St. Nick. Know of someone who could use a smile? a helping hand? a good meal? Invite them into your life and share the Advent / St. Nick / Christmas spirit on this holy night. And then celebrate the jolly Saint’s feast tomorrow. Let generosity be the gift you share!
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