Jolly Old St. Nicholas: Our Tradition of Celebrating St. Nick’s Night

As the Christmas season swiftly approaches, my lists become longer and my days appear shorter. Year after year finds me adding “just one more decoration” to the bin with a side of “now where did I put [insert any Christmas item here]?” There are times when our stuffed snowpeople family sit out for a year, while miniature Baby Jesus figurines seem to multiply and end up everywhere but the bed of hay, not to mention our well-loved Angel Gabriel, whose poor wing has been glued too many times to count but still sits proudly above the manger that was lovingly built with my grandfather’s sturdy hands.

Nostalgia is usually my driving force when decking our halls, which explains why the Christmas carols of Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Perry Como can be heard playing from my grandfather’s record player from December 1st until the New Year. From multicolored and sometimes crooked Christmas lights adorning the banister, to sipping tiny cups of eggnog on Christmas Eve, to carefully placing all the nativity people in their rightful spots in the manger, my parents and grandparents established traditions for my sister and me that bridged the ordinary time of year to the wondrous weeks of the Christmas season. White Christmas and Silver Bells aside, a tradition I am most thankful for and still practice today comes in the form of a shoe and a man we lovingly refer to as Jolly Old Saint Nicholas.

Jolly Old St. Nicholas,
Lend your ear this way.

On December 5th of every year, you can find a lineup of shoes near our front door. Sometimes it’s a combination of cowboy boots and flip flops (this is Texas, after all), and other years found us lining baby shoes and slippers along the floor. While this display of footwear may seem odd at first, it dates back centuries to when St. Nicholas, the bishop of what is now southern Turkey, used his large inheritance to bring small tokens of joy and freedom to poor children by placing treats in their shoes that were left outside. My Catholic belief reminds me that while he is the patron saint of children, St. Nicholas and his long last impressions of kindness span years and countries, perhaps even serving as the roots for our American Santa Claus. Tradition has it that children who placed their shoes or stockings outside their front doors woke to delightful surprises of fruits, small wooden toys, perhaps some fabric, and the possibility of a gold coin or two. Though small in size, these gifts gave children and their families, who were often poor, a glimmer of hope and renewal as they moved onward to the Christmas Season.

Don’t you tell a single soul,
What I’m going to say.

Fast forward to today’s day and age, and you will find that my approach to celebrating and remembering the feast day of St. Nicholas is not that different from the days of yore. Will I be placing fabric in my daughter’s shoe? Probably not, although I am sure she would find a use for it in her mock animal hospital. Will I be tossing half dollars into my son’s play shoes? Not likely, mostly due to the fact that he views coins as power discs and places them into any fitting slot. However, new toothbrushes, a book that has been on their wish lists, a gold foiled chocolate coin, and two clementines (one for each child and one for each to share) will find their way into my kiddos’ shoes. For as much as I relish in their faces and delight on Christmas morning, the morning of December 6th actually finds me just as content. The feast day sets our tone as we make ready our hearts and home for Christmas, yet aids us in recalling the purpose for the jubilee that occurs in just a few weeks’ time. The Feast of St. Nicholas serves as an everyday reminder to care for those in need, love the ones who have less, and celebrate the gifts that come from the heart, no matter the size.

Christmas Eve is drawing near,
Now, you dear old man,
Whisper what you’ll bring to me,
Tell me if you can.

It’s no secret that present day families are more rushed than ever. We require vacations to be present; we assign “screen-free” zones in our home so family dialogue can take place; and we desperately try to keep from morphing into lawnmower, helicopter, tiger, or any other type of parent the internet tells us we’ve become. I’ve found that holding true to customs from my childhood such as St. Nick’s Night, help my little family stay focused on the reason for the season. We will head into Advent with kind deeds on our minds and warmth in our hearts, prepared and eager to create our own charitable works, while paying homage to the man who started it all. My children will wake on December 6th to discover small tokens of good health, continued learning, and a love for sharing with others. For after all, ’tis better to give than to receive.

Kathy
I’m a native Pittsburgher through and through, but transplanted to Texas with my superhero cape to teach elementary school. I am a proud Mama to a spirited girl (2011) and a laid back boy (2014) who keep my days full of laughter, Legos, books, and more stuffed animals than should be allowed. As a stay-at-home Mama, I am constantly yearning for new ways to engage their minds, hands, and bodies with the city and community around them, while stealing a run and a cup of coffee or two. I can be found at the local library for storytime; the park for an afternoon swing; either of their schools to lend a helping hand; and/or the local splash pad to escape the heat. I’m not hard to miss due to the donning of Steelers gear in the fall and Penguins attire in the spring. I welcome and thrive on new conversations, friendships, and methods of rearing little humans. Favorite Restaurant: Paloma Blanca Favorite Landmark: Any of the Missions around San Antonio Favorite San Antonio Tradition: It's a tie between The Texas Cavaliers River Parade and The Battle of Flowers Parade, both occurring during Fiesta. Viva!