St Nicolas Funeral card, 1829, Belgium St Nicholas Center Collection

Readings and Propers for St. Nicholas Day
Sentences & Preface  Orthodox
Point Counterpoint with Santa & Saint Nicholas

Readings and Propers For St. Nicholas Day~ December 6 or 19

Episcopal
1 John 4.7–14
   Psalm 78.3–7
   or Psalm 145.8–13
Mark 10.13–16

Lutheran
Isaiah 10.33–11.9
   Psalm 84
1 John 4.7–14
Mark 10.13–16

Roman Catholic Traditional Latin Mass Proper in English

Other
Isaiah 6.1–8
   Psalm 107.33–43
Hebrews 13.16–21
Luke 10.1–9

Other Anglican readings
Psalms: 1, 15, 23, 40, 96, 99, 107.23-30, 110
Old Testament: Isaiah 6.1-8, Isaiah 52.7-10, Isaiah 61.1-3, Ezekiel 34.11-16, Malachi 2.5-9
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 4.1-6, 1 Timothy 4.1-5, 1 Timothy 6.6-11, 1 Peter 5.1-4
Gospel: Matthew 24.42-44, Matthew 25.14-30, Mark 10.13-16, Luke 10.1-9
From The Promise of His Glory: For the Season from All Saints to Candlemas, House of Bishops of the General Synod of the Church of England, 1999

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Sentences & Preface

I myself will search for my sheep, and I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered.
Ezekiel 34.11, 12

To do good, and to distribute, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Hebrews 13.16

O you who love festivals,
Come gather and sing the praises of the fair beauty of bishops,
The glory of the fathers,
The fountain of wonders and great protector of the faithful.

Let us say: Rejoice, O guardian of the people of Myra,
Their head and honored counselor,
The pillar of the church which cannot be shaken.

Rejoice, O light full of brightness
That makes the ends of the world shine with wonders.

Rejoice, O divine delight of the afflicted,
The fervent advocate of those who suffer from injustice.

And now, O all-blessed Nicholas,
Never cease praying to Christ our God
For those who honor the festival of your memory
With faith and with love.
—0rthodox Liturgy

From The Winter Pasha, Thomas Hopko, 1984, p. 4. St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 575 Scarsdale Road, Crestwood, NY 10707, 1-800-204-2665. Used by permission.

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Point/Counterpoint with Santa & Saint Nicholas

Wesley Theological Seminary Washington, DC

Santa Claus: Here is the Gospel of Claus.
St. Nicholas:Here is the Gospel of Christ.

 

Santa Claus: Blessed are the rich.
St. Nicholas: Blessed are the poor in spirit.
Santa Claus: Blessed are the powerful.
St. Nicholas: Blessed are the meek.
Santa Claus: Blessed are the religiously correct...
St. Nicholas: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice.

Santa Claus: Love your family . . .
St. Nicholas: Love the stranger,
Santa Claus: Love your friends . . .
St. Nicholas: Love your enemies,
Santa Claus: Enjoy a festive dinner . . .
St. Nicholas: Befriend the hungry,
Santa Claus: the well dressed . . .
St. Nicholas: the naked,
Santa Claus: the healthy . . .
St. Nicholas: the sick,
Santa Claus: the young . . .
St. Nicholas: all ages,
Santa Claus: the comfortable . . .
St. Nicholas: the homeless,
Santa Claus: the respectable . . .
St. Nicholas: the prisoners.

Santa Claus: Christmas comes that we may have
      things more abundantly.
St. Nicholas: Christ comes that we may have
      life more abundantly.

From Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC. Used by permission.

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