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Saint Nicholas Day, or in Polish Dzien Świętego Mikołaja, is a day cherished by children throughout the world and is a great time to teach children about the true story of Saint Nicholas (who did his own gift giving in his life).
In Poland, children are encouraged to put out stockings or polished shoes in hopes that they will be filled with special treats. If they are graced with the chance to meet Sw. Mikolaj, he is always wearing a bishop’s mitre and often has an “angel from Heaven” who is his helper.
When the children meet him, they are asked to recite their catechism and prayers. Sw. Mikolaj then distributes holy cards and special treats, which includes oranges. Sometimes these treats include special cookies called pierniczki, and are in the shape of Sw. Mikolaj.
Good Saint Nicholas then leaves the home to visit other children. On Christmas Eve, the children are eager to open their presents to see if they get what they asked for from Sw. Mikolaj.
While it may seem childish to continue these traditions, it heightens our awareness that this is a special time of expectation. Just like children eagerly wait to see what Saint Nicholas filled their stockings, we should be eager to see Christ every time we go to Mass. Didn’t Jesus say, “unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven?”