Today, 12-6-14, is the feast day of St. Nick or St. Nickolas, the saint who inspired the legend of Santa Claus. Children of Holland put their shoes out in hope St Nick will pass by and fill them with candies, gold coins and fruit. If the child has been naughty, all he/she will only get a lump of coal. One legend, of St. Nick is he threw a bag of gold coins in the window where three poor sisters lived and hung up their stockings to dry. In the morning, they found the coins in their stockings and they had enough money to start a dowry to get married.
He was born to wealthy parents around the year 270 when both his parents died he was left a great deal of wealth which he share with the poor of the area. St. Nickolas grew up and became a priest and bishop of the Mediterranean city of Myra. He went to prison for his faith but stood strong. After enduring many years of torture, he was released. When he arrived home, the people of his city cried out, “Saint Nicholas has come home.” He served another 30 years, including taking part in the Council of Nicea, before dying in 325.

IS:18 In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. 19The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.

Dear Lord, show us the way we can be generous like St. Nick, to share the blessings you have bestowed upon us and yet remain in the shadows and need no one to know only our Heaven Father who sees what is in our hearts.