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!