Tuesday, December 4, 2012

St. Nicholas Day is Almost Here...

"I’ve come at last. She has kept me out for a long time, but I have got in at last. 
Aslan is on the move. The Witch’s magic is weakening." - Father Christmas, 
from C.S. Lewis' The Lion, Witch and The Wardrobe [Source

This beautiful illustration by Pauline Baynes was printed in 1991. Pauline Baynes (1922 – 2008) was an English book illustrator, whose work encompassed more than 100 books, notably those by C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien.

If you're not familiar with St. Nicholas Day (Dec. 6) and its traditions, you will find my past posts below (right-click the titles to read):
Will the Real Santa Claus Please Stand Up?
Belgian Cookies for St. Nicholas Day (picture books and recipe)

A craft for St. Nicholas Day: Red Votives
Printables and instructions from St. Nicholas Center - here

There was a good bishop who lived long ago
There was a good bishop who lived long ago,
his memory is glorious, his legends are bold.
We call him Saint Nicholas, a servant of Christ,
who loved little children and taught what was right.

He is Father Christmas, and Santa Claus too.
He helped many people, the stories are true.
At Christmas he calls to us, both young and old,
To see that the story of Jesus is told.

The gifts that he brings us are signs of the love
That comes down at Christmas from heaven above.
We see Mother Mary, the babe in the stall,
With Joseph, the wise men and shepherds and all.

O blessed Saint Nik'las we hail you today.
The patron of many, to show us the way
To be good and generous, to help those in need,
To be kind to others in both word and deed.

[Text J.M. Rosenthal, 2002, source here: St. Nicholas Center]

4 comments:

  1. Hi there, just wanted to let you know that you are one of our winners of the Toot & Puddle Let it Snow book. Pls email us at fb@chinaberry.net with your address and we'll get this sweet story on its way to you.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you - love Chinaberry! And I know I'll love this book. :)

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  2. I'm very much looking forward to it! :D I'm going to post some photos of our visit with the kindly saint tomorrow :) I love St. Nicholas day. It was the first day we went to our current church, so its special to me!

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