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December 6, 2021Stories about St. Nicholas spread from his home in Turkey up to Russia, where he is still a very popular saint. Through the centuries, people passed on stories of him across the most northern parts of Europe, then to Germany, France, and England, and finally to the United States. The children in every country gave St. Nicholas a name in their own language, and in the United States, and other places, he is Santa Claus. Nicholas lived in a seaside town named Myra, which is in the country we now call Turkey. Ever since he was a small child, Nicholas loved God more than anything. He studied hard, prayed often, and followed Jesus by helping the poor. As an adult he was consecrated a Bishop. Nicholas is revered throughout the ages because he loved God and God’s people. His service to the poor often included bringing toys for children.
Our Gospel reading from Luke, on this feast of St. Nicholas, ultimately gives us a purpose to following God’s way---that purpose being a life of service to our fellow people, a life of solidarity with other’s trials and joys. The way to God is through a life shared with others. Our actions of service, like the paralytic being lowered through the roof by his friends, needs to be driven by what is good for those around us.
The Gospel stories of Advent charge us with the task of serving one another, even in difficult times and doing so in hope. In a world infected by Covid, there is plenty of turmoil to arouse fear in many. When we allow our lives to be led by fear, we become susceptible to an “us versus them” mentality rather than looking with the eyes of solidarity at our human experience. The coming of Christ calls us to be vigilant, not against another, but vigilant for opportunities to encounter God with one another through the challenges we face together. Nicholas and other saints model this way of discipleship; when humans are treated poorly, injured, are talked down to or stripped of their rights, the Lord entrusts us with traveling the road to salvation and solidarity with them. St. Nicholas showed his gratitude for God’s gifts by serving and giving to others. What gifts can you and your family share with those in need?
