Happy St.Nicholas Day! (December 6th)

For the last several years we have celebrated St.Nicholas Day at our house. We tell the story of a man, Nicholas, who was born in A.D.280 in Myra. (modern day Turkey) He was born to wealthy Christian parents who died when he was 9. He then grew up in the home of his uncle who was also a Christian.

As an adult, one of his friends (a rich shipping merchant) lost all of his ships and cargo in a violent seastorm. He had three daughters that were approaching marrying age - and would need to provide a dowry for them. Nicholas wanted to help his friend, but knew that his friend would not want to receive "charity."

One night, Nicholas dropped a bag of gold coins through the open window of one of the daughter's rooms. Some fell into a stocking that was drying, some on the floor, and some in shoes. Then he quickly and quietly returned to his home.

He enjoyed the experience so much that for the rest of his life he sought out ways he could show Jesus' love by helping the poor. He provided some jobs, clothing, food, and wooden toys for the poor. The only thing he required is that his identity be kept a secret. He died around A.D.343 on December 6th.

(Story paraphrased and adapted from our book: "Celebrating the Christian Year" by Martha Zimmerman)

Some of our celebrations of the day include:

Making gingerbread men for our friends and other children who live near us.

Jeff and the girls have snuck around our neighborhood for the last three years secretly delivering little bags of gingerbread men that they have made. It has caused quite a ruckus in the community - and the girls LOVE it.

On Saturday the stockings were full of little treasures...

Some Tanzanian shillings - to remember the gold coins St.Nicholas dropped in the window.

Some new pajamas to remember the clothes he gave to the poor...

And a BIG wooden toy for the whole family to enjoy!

This is a set of wooden blocks and wooden ramps to be constructed into a downhill path for a marble or rubber ball.

Or to stack as HIGH as you can!

Happy St.Nicholas Day!