December 6 celebrates Saint Nicholas who evolved into Santa Claus.
What does this saint/icon represent within the human soul? That’s the question I asked myself this morning. Here’s my answer and a few questions.
He’s the wondrous gift giver!
Find in your soul the wondrous gift giver. Please don’t confuse the WGG with the self-sacrificer that’s another kind of gift giving.
St Nick gives with marvelous joy.
Wondrous soul gifts are the just right gifts that make a difference, impact the life (inner or outer) of another. The wondrous gift provides something needed for feeling loved, for feeling awakened, for feeling free. It can be a smile, a look, a touch, a word.
The Two Lists
Inner Advent is the time of recollection.
Recall the wondrous gifts you gave with marvelous joy to others. Go ahead…make your Santa’s List, not of what you want for Christmas, but what you gave with marvelous joy throughout 2012.
Now make your other list…the list of all the St Nicks who came your way and joyously placed a bag of soul gold in your inner shoe. The gold that adds to the wealth of love and beauty, warmth and courage in your heart.
Always sweet and so sentimental!
Writing this and contemplating these Saint Nicholas Day thoughts, I just start melting. My most melting recollection of the St Nicks who gave to me are my four grandchildren, Ava, Edon, Flora, and Julien – talk about a twinkle in Santa’s eye. One look from anyone of them is just utterly wondrous.
But there have been my clients with their questioning needs to be heard that bless my soul with their courage and vulnerability.
My friends, who listen and share. What gifts of understanding, love, laughter, and sobering reflections.
And you my readers, who actually read my messages and posts. The mail service I use lets me see how many people have opened any email. Those numbers keep me going. Knowing there are several thousand people reading my messages and forwarding them to others — each one is a wondrous gift.
And every comment on the blog, or note of appreciation, sends me joy into every corner of my soul.
So in your list of the wondrous gifts you gave make sure you put down, “I read Lynn’s messages!”
To learn more about Saint Nicholas here are two links:
http://www.stnicholascenter.org
This link has a wonderful gallery of images of Saint Nicholas.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas
Wikipedia is always great. You might want to make a contribution to Wikipedia.
I received a Feng Shui tip of the day today, before reading your post. It talked about arranging your shoes, in pairs (of course) pointing forward, as if ready to walk out on their own, and of course, giving away those which are no longer worn. I love the idea of ” ready to move forward”, a new direction, more importantly, readiness. I thought it would be a nice gesture to me and the universe that I am ready. Plus it gives me a good reason to straighten the closet. St. Nicholas was said to fill the shoes, if positioned properly, with gifts. Thank you, dear Lynn, for being such a thoughtful, helpful, consistent companion. Your are on my list.
Thank you for bringing St. Nicholas back into my life!
Hi
I am a yoga teacher so at the end of class today I gave everyone a few extra minutes to slow down, breathe, relax put their lists aside and take a moment of solitude & peace. Breathe out all your negative thougths, troubles, worries, pain, ….fill your mind and soul with joy, peace and happiness.
I am a foster/adoptive parent and try my best to be a voice for these children,my 2 boys I have adopted I have given them a stable caring home in which to grow. I am very blessed for all they give to me especially my little guy who is 8 and has sapergers he is so very lovable and tells me I am the best mom ever!!
Thank you for being able to have your words and reflection to give the gift of inner peace to myself. You are amazing and I am grateful for you~~
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an instance of the giver receiving as well as the receiver ….
recently I asked a work collegue if she would consider playing her instrument so that I might practice my eurythmy, …. expecting her to shyly decline. BUT, not only does she tease me to be timely for our practices but initiates them. we’re looking forwards to sharing our work with an audience and I sense that she will feel a gratitude toward self for having chosen to pick-up her instrument after not playing for 30 years.
Your e-mails are always like little presents left for me to open. Thoughts, images and meditations for my soul. In the hustle and bustle of my wonder-full life I am grateful to find the moments to open my gifts from you. They nourish and support my gift giving to others. Thank you for putting little gifts in my “shoes” throughout the year.