Feast of St. Nicholas
The feast of St. Nicholas, bishop, falls on December 6, at the beginning of Advent. This day brings much celebrating, especially in Eastern Europe and Germanic countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands. Italy also celebrates this saint’s day.
In a time where Christmas commercialism is rampant, a family needs to try to keep the focus on what Advent and Christmas is all about. Advent is preparing for Christ’s birth, both internally and externally. To shift the focus of the materialistic or “give me” common at Christmas, try giving stocking gifts on December 6 instead of Christmas Day. Shoes can be left outside the bedroom door, or stockings are hung by the fire on December 5th evening. St. Nicholas (instead of Santa Claus) comes by to brings cookies or gifts in the shoes or stockings.
St. Nicholas, pray for us.