Saint Nicholas Day

Growing up we always celebrated St. Nicholas Day.  We would wake to find a painted wooden shoe outside our bedroom door filled with special little treats thoughtfully chosen by our mom.  They weren't big items, just little things such as our favorite candy or a good book, and every year I looked forward with anticipation to finding that shoe outside my bedroom door.  It was a simple and fun thing to do early in the Advent season with the thought of keeping simplicity in the gift giving and keeping the focus on Christ for Christmas day.

Well, the shoes have been passed down to me and this was the first year I put them outside my boys' doors.  The true story of Santa Claus originates with Saint Nicholas, who lived during the third century in Eastern Europe.  He was raised in a wealthy home by loving Christian parents.  They died when he was young leaving him a large inheritance.  He chose to use the money left to him to follow in Jesus' footsteps and he gave everything he had to care for the poor and needy.  He lived a life devoted to God and on December 6, AD 343 he died, but his life continues to be celebrated through the tradition of Saint Nicholas Day.  The holiday is still widely celebrated in Europe where Dutch children leave carrots and hay in their shoes for the saint's horse, hoping St. Nicholas will exchange them for small gifts.

It was fun to start the tradition this year even though the boys are still too young to understand.  James loved not only his gifts, but Ethan's as well!

James got a paint with water book, Silent Night song book and a fun Santa cup with a twisty straw.

Ethan got a new bath toy and Cedarmont Kids Christmas songs, which mostly James enjoys!

I told James to open his door in the morning and look around.  In typical fashion... I got the stink eye.

He was pretty stoked though when he saw what was out there!

He showed Ethan what he got...

Then they played with the shoes:)

And then I realized that it was actually December 5th and we had celebrated on the wrong day.   Oops!  Oh well.  They didn't know what was going on anyways.  Maybe next year I won't be so sleep deprived and I will actually operate using my brain.  We look forward to continuing the tradition in years to come.