Perhaps you know that Saint Nicolas is a very populair saint in the Netherlands. Every year his arrival in the Netherlands (legend wills it that he lives in Spain an travels every year with his helpers (Zwarte Piet) and a boat full of presents to our shores) is broadcasted on national television.
His feast on december 6th is commemorated by giving presents, much like father Christmas.
On the eve of his feast, in many, many families come together in a happy gathering, enjoying the gifts, often accompanied with a little poem, in which Saint Nicolas adresses someone's lesser habits - to amusement of all, including the adressee.
That is the reason I choose for a prayer to Saint Nicolas for this sunday, on the eve of his name day.
I took my inspiration from popular belief and some liturgical texts.
Prayer to Saint Nicolas
You are our refuge.
You helped the widows,
safed life of the fatherless
You lived to share your abondance
Make us learn to share,
to guard and to care,
and to be kind.
Help us in becoming,
like you are,
remedy, patron, consolation,
guiding light to all.
O holy Nicolas
pray for us.
