Today is St. Nicholas Day! For the last several years, as a family, we've been reading about St. Nicholas and how he helped a close family friend in a time of trouble by dropping money in through their window. The money landed in shoes and stockings that hung by the window to dry. He loved the anonymous giving so much that he began the tradition of making and giving wooden toys, among other things, but only in a way that no one knew it was him.
The traditions of Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Sinterklaus, Kris Kringle (Christkind, or Christ child which Luther used in opposition to the Catholic focus on St. Nicholas), all derive from St. Nicholas.
So in the tradition of St. Nicholas, and in lead up to the celebration of Jesus birth, each year we try to think of ways that we can focus on giving to those in need. This year, Brienzi came up with her own idea: sell jewelry at the international school Christmas bazaar to raise money for a family near the P-town learning center. Their roof is falling apart and they have no money to fix it. So at the bazaar yesterday, they had a steady stream of kids and were able to make $25 (which will cover a quarter of the need). I know it doesn't sound like much, but it really will go a long way and it was awesome to see the joy that this brought for the girls involved in putting it together. Kim and I praise God for his grace at work in their hearts.
