Saint Nicholas’ Day is more of a European celebration than an American one. Most Americans relate St. Nicholas to Santa Claus. Who was he? He was St. Nicholas of Myra (in modern Turkey) whose reputation was based on what he did for the poor. In one story, he gave a large sum of money so that a poor man's daughters would not be forced into prostitution. Certainly there is myth in the traditions, but it’s clear Nicholas existed as a man of great faith and compassion. St. Nicholas's Day is tomorrow, December 6, and inaugurates the Christmas festivities in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and parts of Germany. On the night of December 5, St. Nicholas brings gifts for good children, who set out shoes or stockings for him to fill. The Dutch (“Sinterklass”) make the biggest production of Nick's arrival, gathering to watch his ship land in Amsterdam. The Reformation generally distanced itself from his life, but replaced it with other forms. In Germany, Luther replaced St. Nicholas with the Christ child, KristKindl, or as we would come to know him – Kriss Kringle.
American immigrants have adapted their respective ethnic backgrounds to keep the story of St. Nicholas alive. It was the story of St. Nick's coming that inspired Clement Moore to pen the now famous "The Night Before Christmas" poem (yes, I know there's some controversy over whether Moore was the original author, but until proven differently, he remains the one most say wrote this poem for his children).
In our family, Linda grew up celebrating St. Nicholas day. So, while our kids were growing up, we would hang up stockings on the fireplace mantle on St. Nicholas eve and fill them with “goodies”. Why? We wanted them to understand while they were still young that Christmas was not just Christmas day, but a celebration of this season. Besides, being German, it gives us a chance to hang on to one old-world part of our past. It's simple, waves of European immigrants brought cherished St. Nicholas holiday traditions to the United States. Over time these have melded into some common practices. If one looks closely, these reveal some distinctive characteristics of beloved St. Nicholas.
Christmas stockings by the fireplace
And the stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there, goes the oft repeated Christmas rhyme. In the story of Nicholas rescuing the poor maidens from being sold into slavery, the gold coins was reportedly thrown into the window and landed in the stockings left to dry by the mantle fire.
Orange or tangerine in the toe of filled Christmas stockings
The gold Nicholas threw to provide the dowry money is often shown as gold balls. These are symbolized by oranges or even apples. So the orange in the toe of the stocking is a reminder of Nicholas' gift.
Candy Canes *
These are really candy symbols of Nicholas’ office as a Bishop. All Bishops carry staffs, hooked at the top like a shepherd's crook, showing they are the shepherds who care for, or tend, their people.
Gift-giving in secret, during the night
Stockings are filled while children are sleeping. Nicholas did his gift giving secretly, under cover of darkness. He didn't want to be seen and recognized as he wanted those he helped to give thanks to God.
Seasonal concern for the needy
St. Nicholas gave gifts to those in greatest need—the young and the most vulnerable. Christmas gifts and baskets given to those in need, along with other seasonal contributions to charity, reflect St. Nicholas' unselfish concern for others. He never wanted or expected anything in return.
Reading: Romans 12:1-2 (NRSV)
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God--what is good and acceptable and perfect.
A Meditation:
“The two main enemies of the spiritual life are anger and greed. They are the inner side of a secular life, the sour fruits of our worldly dependencies. What else is anger than the impulsive response to the experience of being deprived? When my sense depends on what others say of me, anger is a quite natural reaction to a critical word. And when my sense of self depends on what I can acquire, greed flares up when my desires are frustrated. Thus greed and anger are the brother and sister of a false self fabricated by the social compulsions of an unredeemed world.
It is not so strange that Anthony (4th century Monastic) and his fellow monks considered it a spiritual disaster to accept passively the tenets and values of their society. They had come to appreciate how hard it is not only for the individual Christian but also for the church itself to escape the seductive compulsions of the world”
-Henri Nouwen, The Way of the Heart
Action? In this season of constant commercials telling us “in this holiday season I wished someone would give to me….”, why not look for some ways to give to those who cannot give back to you. In our church Christmas gifts can be given to those less fortunate who we neither know, nor will ever be able to personally thank us. How about volunteering to be a bell ringer?
A Prayer:
“Lord, renew my spirit, my soul, so that I might find that which is good, acceptable and perfect to you. In a world full of malls and advertisements towards excess, keep me more centered in giving than in receiving. Help me to see those who are not so fortunate and make a way to silently love through your name.” Amen.
American immigrants have adapted their respective ethnic backgrounds to keep the story of St. Nicholas alive. It was the story of St. Nick's coming that inspired Clement Moore to pen the now famous "The Night Before Christmas" poem (yes, I know there's some controversy over whether Moore was the original author, but until proven differently, he remains the one most say wrote this poem for his children).
In our family, Linda grew up celebrating St. Nicholas day. So, while our kids were growing up, we would hang up stockings on the fireplace mantle on St. Nicholas eve and fill them with “goodies”. Why? We wanted them to understand while they were still young that Christmas was not just Christmas day, but a celebration of this season. Besides, being German, it gives us a chance to hang on to one old-world part of our past. It's simple, waves of European immigrants brought cherished St. Nicholas holiday traditions to the United States. Over time these have melded into some common practices. If one looks closely, these reveal some distinctive characteristics of beloved St. Nicholas.
Christmas stockings by the fireplace
And the stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there, goes the oft repeated Christmas rhyme. In the story of Nicholas rescuing the poor maidens from being sold into slavery, the gold coins was reportedly thrown into the window and landed in the stockings left to dry by the mantle fire.
Orange or tangerine in the toe of filled Christmas stockings
The gold Nicholas threw to provide the dowry money is often shown as gold balls. These are symbolized by oranges or even apples. So the orange in the toe of the stocking is a reminder of Nicholas' gift.
Candy Canes *
These are really candy symbols of Nicholas’ office as a Bishop. All Bishops carry staffs, hooked at the top like a shepherd's crook, showing they are the shepherds who care for, or tend, their people.
Gift-giving in secret, during the night
Stockings are filled while children are sleeping. Nicholas did his gift giving secretly, under cover of darkness. He didn't want to be seen and recognized as he wanted those he helped to give thanks to God.
Seasonal concern for the needy
St. Nicholas gave gifts to those in greatest need—the young and the most vulnerable. Christmas gifts and baskets given to those in need, along with other seasonal contributions to charity, reflect St. Nicholas' unselfish concern for others. He never wanted or expected anything in return.
Reading: Romans 12:1-2 (NRSV)
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God--what is good and acceptable and perfect.
A Meditation:
“The two main enemies of the spiritual life are anger and greed. They are the inner side of a secular life, the sour fruits of our worldly dependencies. What else is anger than the impulsive response to the experience of being deprived? When my sense depends on what others say of me, anger is a quite natural reaction to a critical word. And when my sense of self depends on what I can acquire, greed flares up when my desires are frustrated. Thus greed and anger are the brother and sister of a false self fabricated by the social compulsions of an unredeemed world.
It is not so strange that Anthony (4th century Monastic) and his fellow monks considered it a spiritual disaster to accept passively the tenets and values of their society. They had come to appreciate how hard it is not only for the individual Christian but also for the church itself to escape the seductive compulsions of the world”
-Henri Nouwen, The Way of the Heart
Action? In this season of constant commercials telling us “in this holiday season I wished someone would give to me….”, why not look for some ways to give to those who cannot give back to you. In our church Christmas gifts can be given to those less fortunate who we neither know, nor will ever be able to personally thank us. How about volunteering to be a bell ringer?
A Prayer:
“Lord, renew my spirit, my soul, so that I might find that which is good, acceptable and perfect to you. In a world full of malls and advertisements towards excess, keep me more centered in giving than in receiving. Help me to see those who are not so fortunate and make a way to silently love through your name.” Amen.
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