St. Nicolas Day

Each year we celebrate St. Nicolas Day around December 6.  The tradition in Romania involves leaving boots out for St. Nick to leave fruit, candy and decorated sticks/pinwheels (or coal) in over night.

As a family we've adopted this tradition as our way to celebrate St. Nick/Santa Claus.  We read about the real St. Nicolas and his heart for serving others, giving generously and helping the poor.  In the past we've tried to use this day for us to serve someone in the community - cookies to the fire station, sweeping a neighbors driveway, singing at the nursing home.  We want the kids to have the opportunity to be Santa to each other or to someone and have perspective as they head into the crazy Christmas season.  It doesn't always look so wonderful but hopefully the tradition will continue to evolve as we grow.  The tradition reminds me of the faithful men and women who have gone before me faithfully following Christ (like St. Nicolas), reminds me of the dear friends I made in Romania and the JOY and wonder of the season through my children's eyes.

This year the theme has been SIMPLE - for pretty much any celebration we have so - we made pancakes, decorated them and got a little toy in their shoes left carefully by the fire.