St. Nicholas Day Eve

So tonight is the Eve of Saint Nicholas Day or The feast of St. Nicholas and this marks the beginning of the Christmas season in much of the Christian world. As fact in many parts of Eastern Europe it is the equivalent of Christmas Day in the West. Children will leave out stockings or shoes on their mantles or bedposts to receive small gifts, toys, oranges and chocolate gold foil coins from St. Nicholas. It's also popular to leave a plate with carrots on it for his horse or donkey which in turn may get some gifts as payment for the kindness shown.

Here in the Western world of the Americas the beginning of the season has long been regarded as the day after Thanksgiving Day. I find marking the beginning of a season of Joy and Giving with something as hectic as "Black Friday" bittersweet. I know it got it's start as the day so many stores and companies finally break out of the red and into the black of profits for the year and I do not begrudge them that. I'm referring to the pushing and shoving and the rudeness that tends to be shown as everyone rushes about. The "I wants" and "I must haves", if only they could be replaced with "Please" and "Thank you", "Merry Christmas" and even "Season's Greetings" for those worried about offending those of other religious beliefs.

So here I begin my being "Out and About" watching to see who is really Naughty or Nice. Who is helping those around them for no reason other than the joy it brings? Who is only being "nice" to get rewards and accolades for themselves, which is actually naughty? Who is trying to make things merry and bright just because it "Feels like the right thing to do"? Let's make this a season of wonder for All.

Merry Christmas to All!!

Fuzzy St. Nick