There has never been a time in human history without danger and cause for fear. Both of these were present during the time of Jesus’ public life and during the time of the early Church. It is no surprise, then, that St. Luke records these words from Jesus: “Your redemption is at hand, be vigilant, and pray.”
The people to whom St. Luke first wrote were living in a time of great trial and tribulation under the persecution of Romans and the hatred of some Israelites. So, St. Luke includes in his Gospel a message of “good news.” He reminds them in various ways that they are living not “at the end of time,” but at the dawn of humanity’s salvation! He acknowledges that they are a people who have waited and watched, who have prayed, and who have rejoiced in the presence of the Messiah. But he is also trying to encourage them to continue to pray and watch for when Christ will come again.
Today, we celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas, a bishop who was known for his generosity and his love for children. Born around the late third or fourth century, St. Nicholas is more than just the inspiration for the modern day Santa.
One of the most famous stories of the generosity of St. Nicholas says that he threw bags of gold through an open window in the house of a poor man to serve as dowry for the man’s daughters, who otherwise would have been forced into prostitution. The gold is said to have landed in the family’s shoes, which were drying near the fire. This is why in some cultures children leave their shoes by the door on this day, or hang their stockings by the fireplace in the hopes of receiving a gift on the eve of his Feast.
St. Nicholas is associated with Christmas because of the tradition that he had the custom of giving secret gifts to children. It is also conjectured that the saint, who was known to wear red robes and have a long white beard, was culturally converted into the large man with a reindeer-drawn sled full of toys because in German, his name is “San Nikolaus” which almost sounds like “Santa Claus.” He died on December 6, 346.
Let us pray. “God of joy and cheer, we thank you for your servant, the good bishop St. Nicholas. In loving the poor, he showed us your kindness; in caring for children, he revealed your love. Make us thoughtful without need of reward, so that we, too, may be good followers of Jesus. In His Name. Amen.”
