Nicolas
was the Christian bishop of Myra (in Asia Minor, now Turkey) in the
4th century. Many miracles were attributed to him, and he
had a reputation for caring for needy people and as a secret
gift-giver; for example, he is said to have anonymously thrown three
bags of gold through the window of a poor family's house, whose three
daughters were unable to marry as they had no dowries. The story
tells that the gifts landed in the girls' shoes or socks, placed by
the fire to keep warm – hence our Christmas stockings! The historic
figure of Saint Nicolas, Santa Klaas, is the origin of Santa Claus,
with an emphasis on compassion and charity, rather than good or bad
behaviour and writing lists of our wants.
If
you wish to celebrate St. Nicolas' Day, you might like to use this
responsive prayer. There may be one leader, or take it in turns, and
everyone joins in the words in bold type:
Blessed
be this feast day of Nicolas,
who
shared his
wealth among those he served who needed it most:
May
his example inspire us
to
be generous and creative with our gifts and our giving.
For
the gift of each person here:
we
give thanks!
For
the capacity to care for, and to share with, those in need:
we
give thanks!
For
this holiday season of joy, hope, and peace:
we
give thanks!
May
we be always mindful of the needs of others:
and
may we always rejoice
in
the abundance of goodness that surrounds us.
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