Feast of Saint Nicholas

December 6, has always been one of my favorite days of the year because it is the feast of Saint Nicholas. Growing up in a Catholic household we held to the tradition of leaving a shoe out by the front door on the eve of this feast, and sure enough, the next day they would be filled with some kind of treats. Never considering the possibility that the tasty treats might be affected by the lovely aromas and remnants of sweat, mud, and grass, they were all greatly enjoyed. Not only did the sweets make a nice impression on me as a child, but I knew that that Advent was well on its way and that Christmas was coming soon. And what child does not look forward to the coming of Christmas?
I suppose Saint Nicholas day has always been like an early Christmas for me. As I have grown up, this day still holds a special place in my heart and not just out of nostalgia for it truly is a most special feast day.
       The Church in her wisdom provides the faithful with a feast that is absolutely appropriate for Advent, for the preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas, but also for the coming of Christ at the end of time. In order to understand the way in which this feast is so fitted for Advent, we must look at the little that is known about the man whose feast we celebrate. St. Nicholas was a Bishop and defender of the faith, truly living out his vocation as bishop. More than this, St. Nicholas' name has gone down in history for his marvelous example of charity. What makes his charity so exemplary is that it came from his heart, he did not just give to the poor and in need to make himself feel good, to fulfill a requirement, or to pad his reputation. Cardinal Arinze during his recent address at the Charlotte Diocese's Eucharistic Congress said, "Service without love is worthless." Personally, I hope to take St. Nicholas' example of charity and live it out this Advent season to be best prepared for the coming of Christ on Christmas. Happy feast of St. Nicholas!