This letter comes to you after the first Sunday of Advent when we realize that we are thoroughly planted in the season with all the preparation for Christmas. But I want to again emphasize that it is important not to be sucked into the hustle and bustle of the secular propaganda that tempts us to focus more on Christmas, and all its commercialism, and not the "reason for the season".
This Second Sunday will be highlighted by the story of John the Baptist as the one prophesying the coming of Jesus. We also know that John struggled with those who confused him with the coming Messiah. Ponder our gospel reading for Advent II:
Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
"See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
`Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,'"
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
John's baptizing of Jesus reminds us of our own baptism and our own commitment to die to our sins and be raised by Christ, in the same manner as Jesus experienced it in the physical and spiritual actions done on that day by God the Father and John the prophet.
As we reflect on the Advent messages of, preparing, watching and being ready for Christ's return, I am most grateful that we have the opportunity to share together in this season.
Advent II also allows us to experience the story of the Bishop of Myra or the one better known to us as St. Nicholas. Here is some history and a typical story that surrounds the mystery of this venerated saint. This article comes from a web source "The St. Nicholas Center"- St Nicholas Center
The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.
Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals-murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th.
Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and deeds. These accounts help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need.
One story tells of a poor man with three daughters. In those days a young woman's father had to offer prospective husbands something of value-a dowry. The larger the dowry, the better the chance that a young woman would find a good husband. Without a dowry, a woman was unlikely to marry. This poor man's daughters, without dowries, were therefore destined to be sold into slavery. Mysteriously, on three different occasions, a bag of gold appeared in their home-providing the needed dowries. The bags of gold, tossed through an open window, are said to have landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas. Sometimes the story is told with gold balls instead of bags of gold. That is why three gold balls, sometimes represented as oranges, are one of the symbols for St. Nicholas. And so St. Nicholas is a gift-giver.
Perhaps you share this tradition of hanging stockings by the fire place or in a special place in your home in hopes that St. Nicholas would bless you also with his gifts. We do in our house and it is one of the special traditions that has followed our family story since I can remember.
Stories like this add to the mysticism of Advent and Christmas. These stories warm the hearts of many of us, especially in times when good deeds and acts of kindness seldom get recognized.
May we all be so touched by these stories, and the so many other stories that come out the mystical traditions of our faith, whether through folklore or truth, that we are compelled to help those less fortunate than we are, knowing that acts of kindness never go unrecognized by God.
It is my prayer that we can all rest for a few moments to allow Christ to enter our hearts and lives and to feel his presence as a true reminder of the "reason for the season".
I leave you with our collect for Advent II from the Book of Common Prayer, page 211, and because there will not be another article from me until after Advent III, I encourage you to look ahead to the next collect that calls us to "stir up God's power to come among us".
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to
preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation:
Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins,
that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our
Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Blessings to all!
David+