Happy St. Nicholas Day (12/06/2024)

Today we celebrate St. Nicholas Day. Do you remember when you were a kid, and you got candy in your shoe on the Feast of St. Nicholas? Do you remember your anticipation when you put out your shoes the night of December 5th? Do you remember your dead run from your bed to find out if your shoe was full of goodies when you awoke on December 6th? Have you felt that kind of joyful anticipation recently?

I was thinking about that this morning. I remember my joyful anticipation and my joyful celebration. And I realized all over again that it is what I am to be experiencing during this Advent season – joyful anticipation.

And yet I find myself making lists, checking them numerous times. Perhaps you know what I mean. And this morning, I didn’t have any shoes to check for goodies, but St. Nicholas left me a gift – a memory that reminds me of who I am called to be – that joyful child of the LORD.

As we near the end of our first week of Advent, let us set down our worries and pick up our joyful anticipation. Let us remember Jesus’ words, “unless you become like little children, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 18:3). Let us reclaim the ability to be surprised and the joy that greets those surprises.

Happy St. Nicholas Day.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.