Monday, December 6, 2004
St. Nicholas
The feast of St. Nicholas has been celebrated on this date since about the fifth century.
Little is known of his life, except that he was bishop of Myra (in modern-day Turkey) and lived in the fourth century.
Stories suggest he was the only child of a wealthy family, was orphaned as a young boy, grew up in a monastery, and at age 17 became a priest. He was kind and generous to poor families, widows and especially children and orphans. Legends say that, wishing to aid people anonymously, he would drop bags of gold down the chimneys of the homes of people in need or throw gold coins through windows where they landed in stockings hanging by the fireplace to dry.
Legends of his generosity soon encouraged other people also to give gifts at this time of year. But in the 16th century, some Reformers felt Nicholas was too closely tied to the Catholic Church. Different countries or regions developed their own gift-giver. In France, he was known as Pere Noel; In England, Father Christmas; to the Dutch, Sinter Klass.
Early Dutch settlers in New York brought their tradition of Sinter Klass to the United States, where he later became known as Santa Claus.
Monday - Second Week of Advent
When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. (Matthew 1:24)
We have in this passage the first of four responses of Joseph to an angel’s message: ”When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him.” He will respond in this same fashion three more times:
• When later told to flee to Egypt: ”Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.”
• After Herod’s death when told to return to Israel: ”He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel.”
• On the way, when warned in a dream that Herod Archelaus was ruler of Judea: ”He departed for the region of Galilee.”
Joseph faithfully did whatever he was given to do. That’s the long and the short of it in my life. Sometimes I wonder, “Why this? Why me? But it’s got to be done, and I’m the one to do it, so I do it.
Doing God’s will doesn’t always involve high-profile stuff or works that seem so wonderful. Only later will we realize how important the ordinary things really are.
Just ask Joseph.
Spend some quiet time with the Lord.
