Thursday of Advent I - Feast of Saint Nicholas

Lessons: Psalms 145:8-13; Proverbs 19:17, 20-23; I John 4:7-14; Mark 10:13-16

Jolly Old Saint Nicholas Lean Your Ear This Way

Did you see the end of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade this year? You might have missed it; but, just before Santa made his way onto Broadway and 34^th Street one of the marching bands played a stirring rendition of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” What surprised me was, not the music, but the costumed extras that were marching along with the band – seven to ten different characterizations of Saint Nicholas, The Bishop of Myra: the “real” Santa Claus! I was amazed and delighted that Macy’s would take such a risk by portraying Santa Claus in such a varied and truthful way.

Nicholas, the Bishop of Myra, and venerated saint of the Christian Church, was a native of Western Turkey. He was consecrated a bishop in the Church during the fourth century. There are numerous stories and legends about his miraculous actions that saved others and brought life to many. The best-known account involves a man with three unmarried daughters, and not enough money to provide them with suitable dowries. This meant that they could not marry, and were likely to end up as prostitutes. Nicholas walked by the man's house on three successive nights, and each time threw a bag of gold in through a window (or, when the story came to be told in colder climates, down the chimney). Thus, the daughters were saved from a life of shame, and all got married and lived happily ever after.

One year, a dear friend of mine, Randy Pope, agreed to play Saint Nicholas at our morning worship service. He was regally dressed from head to toe, looking every bit the part of a fourth century prelate. After educating the children and adults present that day, and distributing small pieces of chocolate in the shape of gold coins, Saint Nicholas and I exchanged heartfelt gratitude and farewells to one another. I ended by saying, “You know, Bishop, you have a remarkable resemblance to a Pope I used to know!” This statement received one of the longest laughs I have ever had in ministry.

If you want to show your children how Nicholas is remembered by Christians with a background different from your own, might I suggest attending an Eastern Orthodox service some year in your local neighborhood. Many Eastern Orthodox congregations have services on or before December 6 that feature a "visit from Saint Nicholas." He appears as a bishop, with no red suit. The faithful leave their shoes outside the church door (now there is an example of radical trust), and find in them afterwards gold coins (actually chocolate wrapped in gold foil) representing the gold dowries of the three daughters.

Most importantly on this day, remember Nicholas’ example of doing something good for another human being. Go and do likewise.

Almighty God, who in your love gave to your servant Nicholas of Myra a perpetual name for deeds of kindness on land and sea: Grant, we pray, that your Church may never cease to work for the happiness of children, the safety of sailors, the relief of the poor, and the help of those tossed by tempests of doubt or grief; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Advent Action Step: Today, on the Feast of Saint Nicholas, give a gift to someone…. Something very simple like a visit or a phone call or a hug.

Love One Another - Brian