Feast of Saint Nicholas
Psalm 23, Verse 4
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for
you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me.
Saint Pope John Paul II was an example of someone who walked
through the valley of the shadow of death and feared no evil. The Lord’s rod
and staff sustained him through the nightmare of the Nazis and the Communists.
Both were evil empires devoted to the destruction of life, liberty and the pursuit
of happiness for all except for the few selected elite. These empires
systematically replaced God with the rule of the chosen ones of the State.
People from both the Fatherland and the Motherland sat by and watched the evil
grow without taking decisive action, making the adage ‘All that is necessary
for the triumph of evil is that good men (or women) do nothing.’Remember to
measure our nation and our politics with Gods Rod (Rods were often used
in ancient times to measure) and not the political States or the media nor the
opinion of the rich and the powerful. Let us be ever ready to speak up for what
is righteous using Gods rod, which are His laws of justice and mercy, working
tirelessly and remember Saint Pope John Paul II words of encouragement, “I
plead with you – never, ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and
never become discouraged. Be not afraid.” Let
us also carry with us for the journey the Staff of God which is truth, not
worldly truth but Gods truth. “The word of truth, publicly, indeed almost
liturgically, proclaimed was the antidote the Rhapsodic Theater sought to apply
to the violent lies of the Occupation. The tools for fighting evil included
speaking truth
to power.” [1]
Be
unafraid, confident in God, and focus on receiving these promises for a month
and see what happens!
35 Promises of God[2]
1. “Call
on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”
-Ps 50:15
-Ps 50:15
2. “Trust
in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all
your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
-Proverbs 3:5-6
-Proverbs 3:5-6
3. “For
surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare
and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”
-Jer 29:11
-Jer 29:11
4. “Come
to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give
you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble
in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
-Matt 11:28-29
-Matt 11:28-29
5. “He
gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint
and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the
Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
-Is 40:29-31
-Is 40:29-31
6. “God
will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in
Christ Jesus.”
-Phil 4:19
-Phil 4:19
7. “Therefore
do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What
will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed
your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for
the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to
you as well.”
-Matt 6:31-33
-Matt 6:31-33
8. “Those
who listen to me will be secure and will live at ease, without dread of
disaster.”
-Proverbs 1:33
-Proverbs 1:33
9. “Peace
I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world
gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
-John 14:27
-John 14:27
10. “If
you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that
God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
-Rom 10:9
-Rom 10:9
11. “So
if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”
-John 8:36
-John 8:36
12. “No
testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and
he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he
will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.”
-1 Cor 10:13
-1 Cor 10:13
13. “Submit
yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
-James 4:7
-James 4:7
14. “When
the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their
troubles.”
-Ps 34:17
-Ps 34:17
15. “Do
not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will
strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right
hand.”
-Is 41:10
-Is 41:10
16. “Honor
your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the
Lord your God is giving you.”
-Ex 20:12
-Ex 20:12
17. “The
Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.”
-Ex 14:14
-Ex 14:14
18. “Train
children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray.”
-Proverbs 22:6
-Proverbs 22:6
19. “Even
though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me;
your rod and your staff comfort me.”
-Ps 23:4
-Ps 23:4
20. “So
I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock,
and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and
everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be
opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give
a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a
scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those
who ask him!”
-Luke 11:9-13
-Luke 11:9-13
21. “For
the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall
not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the
Lord, who has compassion on you.”
-Is 54:10
-Is 54:10
22. “I
hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed,
for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
-Josh 1:9
-Josh 1:9
23. “I
will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the
Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. If you love me, you
will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you
another Advocate, to be with you forever.”
-John 14:13-16
-John 14:13-16
24. “But
you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be
my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
-Acts 1:8
-Acts 1:8
25. “I
will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with
my eye upon you.”
-Ps 32:8
-Ps 32:8
26. “If
any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and
ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.”
-James 1:5
-James 1:5
27. “And
this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his
will, he hears us.”
-1 John 5:14
-1 John 5:14
28. “Are
any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them
pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of
faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has
committed sins will be forgiven.”
-James 5:14-15
-James 5:14-15
29. “For
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes
in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”
-John 3:16
-John 3:16
30. “For
I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things
present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything
else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in
Christ Jesus our Lord.”
-Romans 8:38-39
-Romans 8:38-39
31. “Be
strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the Lord your God
who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you.”
-Deut 31:6
-Deut 31:6
32. “Everything
that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will
never drive away”
-John 6:37
-John 6:37
33. “I
am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they
die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do
you believe this?”
– John 11:25-26
– John 11:25-26
34. “For
the Lord God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing
does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly.”
-Ps 84:11
-Ps 84:11
35. “Take
delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
-Ps 37:4
-Ps 37:4
St. Nicholas 270–343 Feast Day—December 6[3]
From the ninth century in the East and the eleventh century in the
West, Nicholas has been one of the most popular saints in Christendom and in
Christian art and is the patron of many countries, dioceses, churches, and
cities. He was a Greek bishop of Myra in Lycia (now Turkey). According to
folklore, he may have saved three girls from prostitution, restored to life
three children who had been killed, and saved three unjustly condemned men from
death. While some sources say that he may have been imprisoned during the Diocletian
persecution, there is no historical certainty that he suffered persecution for
his faith. Likewise, while some sources place him at the Council of Nicaea in
325, it is uncertain if he attended. His charity to the poor is commemorated in
modern times by those who follow the tradition of stuffing a boot or a stocking
with gifts on his feast day. “Santa Claus” comes from the Dutch form of his
name, “Sinterklaas.” He is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, and
children.
Reflect: The generosity of St. Nicholas was often expressed in the giving
of gifts. How often do you give gifts to the poor? How do you choose what gifts
to give your family and friends?
Pray: St. Nicholas was known for his abundant generosity to the poor, pray for an end to global poverty.
Act: Consider buying Fair Trade. . . gifts this holiday season.
Things to Do[4]
·
Today is a good day to teach your children the
difference between Santa Claus and St. Nicholas. This story of the origin of Santa Claus will help you. Also learn all you can about St.
Nicholas.
·
Choose some of the recommended activities — a
puppet show, a party, a visit from "St. Nicholas." Make sure to
include in all the activities the story of St. Nicholas, virtues to imitate,
and his significance in the Advent season. Read how different countries Celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas.
·
To enhance your feasting, purchase a copy of the
CD by the Anonymous 4 Legends of St. Nicholas. This is medieval music, all in honor
of St. Nicholas, done by four female vocalists.
·
There are numerous recipes to enhance this
feast, anything from a soup to dessert, so have fun in the kitchen trying
different ones.
·
St. Nicholas did his charitable works secretly.
Suggest that your children do one hidden act of kindness in imitation of the
saint.
·
From the Netherlands we have the most popular
recipe, speculaas (or St. Nicholas Cookies; Speculaus; Speculatius; Kris
Kringle Cookies; Dutch spice cookies). You can find tips for using special speculaas cookie
molds by Gene Wilson. Try these sites for St. Nicholas Cookie cutters or
molds: House
on the Hill, HOBI
Picture Cookie Molds, Rycraft,
and St. Nicholas
Center. You could also use Nativity Cookie Cutters, like these from Cookie Craft.
There are three stages of man: 1st you believe in Santa Claus;
2nd you don’t believe in Santa Claus and 3rd you become
Santa Claus!
It should always be remembered that like Lent, Advent is a
period of penitence and sacrifice. Prior to the 1917 Code of Canon Law,
in fact, the Roman church observed a fast (albeit one much less demanding than
the Lenten fast), and prior to Vatican II it continued to require fasting
during the Advent Embertide. It is therefore a salubrious custom to practice
some kind of abstinence (e.g. giving up a favorite food) during Advent as a
sober reminder of the season. Yet
because it anticipates the Nativity, Advent cannot help but be suffused with joy as well. Traditional treats,
especially on St. Nicholas Day (December 6) and during the "Golden
Nights" (December 16 to 24), have long been a part of Advent observance.
These hints of celebration have nothing to do with the ungodly bacchanalia of
the annual Christmas party at the office or on the block, and can therefore be
made part of a holy preparation for the Lord.
Cookies: traditional treat during Advent, especially on
St. Nicholas Day and during the octave before Christmas. Springerles or Peppernuts (Pfeffernusse)
are popular in Germany, Diples ("folds,"
for the infant Jesus' swaddling clothes) in Greece, and Speculaas cookies (on St. Nicholas Day) in the Netherlands.
Drinks: there are special holiday drinks to toast the
imminent arrival of the Christ Child. Eggnog
and Rum pots are especially
popular during the Octave before Christmas or the Golden Nights (see Customs),
while Swedish mulled wine or Bishop's wine is drunk on St. Nicholas
Day (December 6).
Fruitcake: alcoholic content and heavy texture,
fruitcakes are the preferred winter treat for many adults. Again, the kind of
fruitcake will various according to nationality. Do not use this as a frienemy
gift!
49 Godly Character Traits [3]
As we begin the Advent season let us take up the nature of God by
reflecting on these traits that make us a model for our children and our
sisters and brothers in Christ. Today reflect on:
Decisiveness vs. Double-mindedness
The ability to finalize difficult decisions based on the will and ways of God (James 1:5)
1723
The beatitude we are promised confronts
us with decisive moral choices. It
invites us to purify our hearts of bad instincts and to seek the love of God
above all else. It teaches us that true happiness is not found in riches or
well-being, in human fame or power, or in any human achievement - however
beneficial it may be - such as science, technology, and art, or indeed in any
creature, but in God alone, the source of every good and of all love:
All bow down before wealth. Wealth is
that to which the multitude of men pay an instinctive homage. They measure
happiness by wealth; and by wealth they measure respectability. . . .
It is a homage resulting from a profound faith . . . that with wealth
he may do all things. Wealth is one idol of the day and notoriety is a second.
. . . Notoriety, or the making of a noise in the world - it may be
called "newspaper fame" - has come to be considered a great good in
itself, and a ground of veneration.
1728 the beatitudes confront us with decisive choices
concerning earthly goods; they purify our hearts in order to teach us to love
god above all things.
1970
The Law of the Gospel requires us to
make the decisive choice between
"the two ways" and to put into practice the words of the Lord. It is
summed up in the Golden Rule, "Whatever you wish that men would do
to you, do so to them; this is the law and the prophets."
The entire Law of the Gospel is
contained in the "new commandment" of Jesus, to love one
another as he has loved us.
Daily Devotions
·
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