Jolly Old St. Nicholas, I Believe

What a perfect day for the feast of St. Nicholas!  We woke up early to find goodies in our shoes as we got ready for the morning Mass.  After realizing that a layer of ice had fallen on the streets (and on our car's windshield) we decided to walk to church. As it is First Friday,  Benediction and Holy Hour followed the Mass. When we got out of church a thick, swirling snow was beginning to fall to the delighted squeals of the little ones.

We canceled school today when we realized the parish school (and public schools) were closed due to the winter storm.  I was able to catch up on some chores while the kids played with their friends.  We are hosting a priest friend for dinner on Sunday so this really was my day to tackle that long to-do list.

 As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out,
“Son of David, have pity on us!”
When he entered the house,
the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them,
“Do you believe that I can do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they said to him.
Then he touched their eyes and said,
“Let it be done for you according to your faith.”
And their eyes were opened.

How beautiful is today's Gospel reading. Credo. I believe.  As I ponder the answer to my Christmas novena prayer (and it's only the 6th!!!), I thought of the many years of plunging into the deep unknown that is faith. Sometimes that faith wavered, sometimes it doubted but always it plunged and moved forward. Always it was rewarded.  Today it was rewarded on the feast of the gift-giving St. Nicholas.  How providential.

Let it be done for you according to your faith.

What a promise! A promise from the One who knows how to keep it. 

I hope you all have a wonderful feast day.  Here's some of our photos for today:

St. Nicholas treats

backyard view

waiting for more snow to fall

feast day treats after Mass

inspired by my friend Barb, I finally made my own St. Andrew chaplet from leftovers of my jewelry-making days. I could swear that this has more luster after it was blessed!  My novena petition has already been answered. Let there be no doubt, God loves me ;-)  and yes, He loves you too!