Let me share this lovely story with you:
Once upon a time there lived far away in the East a pious
man, the Bishop Nicholas. One day he heard that far in the West was a big town.
In this town all the people had to suffer hunger, the children also. Then
Bishop Nicholas called his servants who loved him and said to them 'Bring me
the fruits of your gardens and the fruits of your fields that we can still the
hunger of the children in that town.' The servants brought baskets full of
apples and nuts, and on top lay honey cakes which the women had baked. And the
men brought sacks of wheat. Bishop Nicholas had all these things taken onto a
ship. It was a beautiful ship, quite white and the sails of the ship were as
blue as the sky and as blue as the mantle of the Bishop Nicholas. The wind blew
into the sails and sped the ship along, and when the wind grew tired the
servants took to the oars and rowed the ship westward. They had to sail for a long-time;
for seven days and seven nights.
When they arrived in front of the big town it was evening.
The roads were empty, but in the houses there burnt lights. Bishop Nicholas
knocked at a window. The mother in the house thought a late wanderer had come
and she asked her child to open the door. Nobody was outside. The child ran to
the window. There was nobody outside the window either. But instead, there
stood a basket filled with apples and nuts, red and yellow, and a honey cake
lay on top. By the basket stood a sack which was bursting with golden wheat
grains. All the people ate the gifts and once again became healthy and happy.
Today St. Nicholas is in the heavens. Every year on his
birthday he starts on his journey down to the earth. He asks for his white
horse and journeys from star to star. There he meets Mother Mary, who gathers
silver and golden threads for the shift of the Christ Child. Mother Mary says
to him: "Dear St. Nicholas please go again to the children and bring them
your gifts. Tell them, 'Christmas is nigh and soon the Christ Child will
come.'"
The earth is wide and great. There, where St. Nicholas
cannot go himself, he asks a good and pious person to go to the children and
take them apples and nuts and tell the children of the coming of the Christ
Child.
By Margaret Meyerkort
Doing for others without them knowing, it is one of the most wonderful gifts for both giver and receiver. It is also a wonderful reminder at this time of year.
Last night, once Reece was tucked into bed, Justin and I put the final touches on the little St. Nicholas gift we created for Reece...a little chicken coop, fence and knitted hens. We can't wait to see what he thinks.
And in the spirit of St. Nicholas, Reece and I will shop for some hats, mittens and scarves for those in need today. A simple, small act of kindness we hope will give warmth to some little ones this winter.
Happy St. Nicholas Day Kim! The boys love this day. The chicken coop is beautiful, I am sure Reece will love it. I find this day a good time for explaining that this time of year is just as much about giving and sharing as it is about receiving and that true joy can often be found more in the giving. Hope you have a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteSame to your Jennifer. And thank you, Reece loved it. We had such a great day and enjoyed a few conversations about giving and how good it feels.
Deletewhat a beautiful way to celebrate and bring meaning to the day!
ReplyDeleteThanks Amanda!
DeleteThat coop is amazing! What a meaningful excursion to take Reece on today.... enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Taryn. We had a great day.
DeleteHow wonderful! I love how you make everything so special and give it meaning for Reece.
ReplyDeleteThanks Melissa, I appreciate your words :)
DeleteI love that story, and what a perfect way to celebrate!
ReplyDeleteIt is a great story.
DeleteHappy Feast of St. Nicholas!
ReplyDeleteThanks Josee, you too!
Deleteyou and justin made such a sweet present! i'm sure R will love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa, he loved it! It actually came to the grocery store with us today and he shared it with one of the ladies who works there.
DeleteWhat a beautiful coop. And thank you for sharing the story.
ReplyDeleteThank you! And my pleasure :)
DeleteAmazing gift for your boy. You all are so kind and wonderful, enjoy your adventure in giving. :)
ReplyDeleteHe loved it Sara. We had a great day and when asked about his favourite part of the day the buying and giving of the hat and mitts was one of the things he mentioned :)
DeleteWhat a lovely family tradition. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteOh - and that chicken coop! Loooovely!
Thanks Renee.
DeleteWe started this tradition last year! Such a good one! I love the gift that Saint Nicholas left for Reece! What did he think when he saw it?!
ReplyDeleteHappy Saint Nicholas Day, dear friend!
We was thrilled Shel, played with it all day. Right now the chickens are roosting and the coop is sitting under the Christmas tree in his room :)
DeleteThis is about the coolest little coop I've ever seen! Reece will love it for sure. Sounds like a lovely tradition. I have friends who are Swiss and were celebrating this, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristen. Reece does love his coop and chickens and has taken everywhere we have gone. I am enjoying watching him play with it...love his imagination.
DeleteThanks Ami, and yes such a wonderful reminder.
ReplyDeleteYou seriously need to make a few more chicken coops and put them in your shop. They are amazing!
ReplyDeleteI think we will :) Thanks KC!
DeleteWhat a lovely tale. And a great way to teach kindness and the gift of giving to your little man. x
ReplyDeleteThanks Anna!
DeleteBeautiful job on the chicken coop & little chickens :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Meg!
DeleteJust beautiful, Kim! You guys are super talented.
ReplyDeleteAwe, thanks Amber :)
Delete