"Let us look at the custom of a visit from St. Nicholas on his day, Dec. 6. This was the real beginning of the Christmas season for many Victorian families, as it still is for many families in the Netherlands, Germany and Britain. This old-fashioned tradition can start setting the mood for a wonderful holiday season for your family.

For parents who feel frustrated by the fact that Santa Claus' visit inevitably overshadows their religious observance of the birth of Christ, a visit from St. Nicholas can help tremendously. It is St. Nicholas who journeys from heaven to Earth each year on his birthday to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ child. He comes early enough in the month to give us time to do so.

For modern children who no longer believe in Santa Claus (and to Mrs. Sharp's dismay it seems they get younger with each passing Christmas), a celebration of St. Nicholas Day can satisfy a deep desire children of all ages have to believe in a great, benevolent and generous gift-giver who rewards the good.

Nicholas, the Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, was said to have lived about AD 325. He was well-beloved for his compassion and generosity. When people were hungry, baskets of food would miraculously appear at their door. When winter came, so would mysterious parcels of warm clothing. How did he know?

The night before St. Nicholas Day the children place their empty shoes beside the fireplace or door. When they awaken the next morning, they discover a delicious German honey cake with his picture on the front, a small mesh bag of gold-foil-covered chocolate coins and one longed-for gift from each child's wish list.

Celebrating St. Nicholas Day takes the holiday pressure off children and adults. With just a taste of Christmas joys to come, we can begin to look outside ourselves to the holiday needs of each other. We can never outgrow the magic of a visit from St. Nicholas. Invite him into your homes this year and see for yourself."