December marks the great feast of the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. But Christmas is not the only feast day which the month has to offer us, though the jolly old man commemorated is best associated with that day. December 6 marks the Feast of St. Nicholas of Myra, the patron saint of children, sailors, pawnbrokers, and prisoners. In twentieth-century guise, we know him more familiarly–through an error of translation–as Santa Claus.

St. Nicholas is perhaps best known for his benevolent assistance to three young girls whose family was so destitute that their father was planning on selling them into slavery, “pawning” them off for money to buy food. Hearing of their plight, Nicholas–who had inherited a good deal of money from his father–went by the girls’ home on three separate occasions and threw bags of gold coins into an open window. The anonymous “presents” enabled the poor family to secure dowries for the girls, who eventually married and were able to provide for their parents in their old age. In modern times, the three bags of gold have been changed into three coins and can be seen hanging outside most any pawn shop!

Such stories of giving have helped to place good old St. Nick among the most beloved of all the saints of the Church. How many of us have fond memories of special “presents” given to us during this Holy Season? Let me share with you one of my own...

I remember one Christmas when I was four. Late Christmas Eve night I awoke to the sound of sleigh bells ringing outside my bedroom window. It seemed kind of odd to hear sleigh bells ringing in Texas, but, thrilled that I might see Santa, I snuck into the living room where we had our Christmas tree, expecting to find the jolly old man placing presents underneath. Alas, he was nowhere to be found. But underneath the tree was the most spectacular, softest stuffed panda bear I had ever seen. I knew Santa had left it just for me–after all my brother and sister were way too old to really appreciate panda bears! I slowly stooped down and picked up my new fluffy friend. What a joy to hold something so soft!

My mother told me that she found me the next morning–Christmas morning–under the tree, sucking the thumb of one hand while still holding onto my new friend with the other. My child-like snores were happy ones....

As this Season of Advent wends its way toward Christmas, and families and friends gather to share the joy of Christ’s birth, may you share stories of the ways you have been gifted through the years.

And may jolly old St. Nick bring you much joy as we anticipate the greatest gift of all: the birth of Jesus.