ADVENT MEDITATIONS: Tuesday 6 December
PSALM: am: 1,15 pm: 40,96
OT: Isaiah 10.33–11.9
EPISTLE: Hebrews 13.16–21
GOSPEL: Luke 10:1-9
ST. NICHOLAS OF MYRA, BISHOP AND DEFENDER OF THE FAITH, 343.
ABOUT TODAY ON THE LITURGICAL CALENDAR -Nicholas was born at Patara in Lycia in the third century. His parents, who had been growing old without having a child, are said to have obtained him by force of prayer. Nicholas, losing his father and mother at an early age, devoted his life to the poor and afflicted of every kind. Late in his life, after he had been made Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor (present-day Turkey) Nicholas suffered imprisonment for his faith. He died tranquilly in his episcopal city. Since 1087 his relics have been preserved at Bari in Italy and thus is sometimes known also as St. Nicholas of Bari. Devotion to St. Nicholas began in his native Asia Minor, and was brought to Russia by an emperor who was witness to his miraculous works. The devotion spread through Lapland and into Scandinavia, thence to all Europe and across to the New World. In early times, Nicholas was pictured as a kind, lean, ascetic bishop, but in America he became fat and jolly. His miter turned into a winter bonnet, his vestments became a snow suit. He retained his reindeer from Lapland, his love for chimneys from his own Asia Minor, and his love of children from all time.
MEDITATION – The lessons for today are a cross section of readings from Anglican RC and orthodox lections for the feast of beloved St. Nicholas. In some respects, given his life and legacy as it is now understood, perhaps the lesson from Hebrews serves us well as a reflection for this feast day in Advent. This section is known to many as a call to the radical hospitality to strangers and the proper stewardship of material resources The author of Hebrews tells us in verses 15-16 there are two dynamics to embrace this call.
There is a “vertical” dimension of the servant sacrifice made by Christ Jesus for all juxtaposed by a “horizontal” dimension — which ask how we shall manifest what has already been given to us thus the call to “not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
Perhaps when we consider the life of St. Nicholas it is no surprise that “servanthood”, “sacrifice” and “hospitality” are the marks of Christian sanctity that identify him, revealing both the vertical and horizontal dynamism of faith. These three marks from Hebrews as evidenced in the life of St. Nicholas reveal that living in such a way is a gift that feeds and nourishes us as well as those we demonstrate grace and hospitality towards.
In Advent, the lesson from Hebrews is a good reminder for those of us baptized into life with Christ Jesus. In this holy season, we should demonstrate God’s grace and generosity to those who may not sense. The very parents of our Lord when they were sojourners sought such as they sought to bring Jesus into the world. No less is a need today for such hospitality for him to be manifest again.
PRAYER: God of Grace, I need your help to accomplish the generosity that you call me to. I know you do offer me such grace and blessing in the promise of your Son’s coming. Give me the fervency to seek to serve others and open my heart to share your gifts with others in service of Your Son’s Kingdom. AMEN
SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE: Find a place today that is quiet, a place set apart. Compose a list of all those who are in need of hospitality this season that you are aware of. What steps can you take in secret to reveal to them a gracious Godly presence these holy days? ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic His giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves.” St. Nicholas of Myra
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