
Dec, 6 marks the Catholic feast day of St. Nicholas, said the Manila Bulletin
Dec. 5. He was a fourth century bishop and patron saint of Orthodox Christians,
Russia, Holland and children around the world. Dec. 6 is Saint
Nicholas Day in many countries. He is the Christmas gift-giving figure and basis for the Santa Claus legend, St.Nick's acts of charity weren't myth, however. If
you want to celebrate a more Christ-centered Advent and Christmas, here are
free printable St. Nicholas activities.
First-School has an adorable St. Nicholas Advent calendar to print
free.
There are free printable advent wreath crafts, Bible Christmas lesson
plans, nativity of Jesus coloring pages and more.
St. Nicholas Center is dedicated to the promulgation of the faith through devotion to
St. Nicholas. Visit the activities page with free printable St. Nicholas games, crafts, lesson plans,
hidden pictures, puzzles, word search and 3D cut and paste play set. You can
print a free St, Nicholas coloring bookfeaturing holy cards,
Byzantine icons and stained glass images of the saint. Even older children will
enjoy coloring these beautiful sacred images. Use as an art lesson to explore
Byzantium and the Eastern Orthodox church. Older children might color the
images and write a narrative of St. Nicholas's. Then assemble into a book,
laminate and read annually on the Feast of St. Nicholas.
Catholic Mom has free printable Catholic Christmas activities in the Sunday
gospel section. There are free printable advent activities too. EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network) has a Catholic Kidssite with holiday and holy day lesson plans, games, crafts,
recipes and activities. Check the main site for viewings of the cartoon
Nicholas: the Boy Who Became Santa Claus. Youtube has a video on Nicholas, the Real Santa Claus.
Don't forget the best-loved St. Nicholas Day tradition. It comes
from the Netherlands. On St. Nicholas eve, December 5, children leave their
shoes out near the door. Legend says St. Nicholas, dressed in his bishop's robe
and mitre, rides by on a white stallion and leaves presents in shoes. Children
leave a hot drink for St. Nicholas and hay or a carrot for his noble steed.
Nicholas's feast day is Dec. 19 in the Julian Orthodox calendar.