Dec. 6, 2007 - Happy Saint Nicholas Day!
Here in the Southern Hemisphere we have awoken to the excitement of St Nicholas Day. The children (both teenagers!) creep carefully to where their stockings have been hung to see if they are filled with gold coins or straw. Expectant fingers carefully touch the base of the stocking - is it heavy or light? Heavy! With lots of yummy gold chocolate coins!
This is only our second St Nicholas Day since joining the Church, but it has fast become a tradition we love. Our favourite St Nicholas story is by Catholic writer Amy Steedman, and the best place we found for information and ideas is the St Nicholas Centre.
For breakfast we feasted on Pfeffernuse, Speculaas and hot chocolate, with the added fun of father dropping 'real' gold coins into the hot chocolates and being St Nicholas for us. After reading Amy Steedman's story we continued on with Maria Von Trapp's memories of her childhood celebrations then finished our reading with an Italian folk story 'The Miller's Tail' which left us laughing loudly. I'm now looking forward to finding a recipe for the 'Good Works Cake' and baking it for tonight's dessert. Many recipes and ideas for celebrating can be found on this site.
Our lesson from St Nicholas is one of giving without fanfare. Jesus says in Matthew chapter 6 that when we give it is to be in secret. "Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be done in secret." St Nicholas is our example of that lesson and today we thank God for the saints who continue to teach us life lessons that glorify God.
Comments
Dec. 7, 2007 - Reading your blog
Posted by Anonymous
Jenny,
It's been a long time since I checked your blog and I was delighted to read your entry about St. Nicholas' Day. I hope that you are all keeping well; especially you, Jenny!
Mona and I are finally accepting that we are now in winter with snow expected over the coming weekend.
Our love to you all, Dan Bissonnette
