A Little Office of St. Nicholas

from the St Nicholas Society, UK

A Song Of St. Nicholas

There was a good bishop who lived long ago
His memory is glorious, His legends are bold
We call him St Nicholas, a servant of Christ
Who loved little children and taught what was
right

He is Father Christmas and Santa Claus too
He helped many people, the stories are true
At Christmas he calls to us, both young and old
To see that the story of Jesus is told

The gifts that he brings us are signs of the love
That comes down at Christmas from heaven above
We see Mother Mary, the babe in the stall,
With Joseph, the wise men and shepherds and all

O blessed St Nik'las we hail you today
The patron of many, you show us the way
To be good and generous, to help those in need
To be kind to others in both word and deed

Suggested tune: St. Denio (Welsh)
JMR 2000

A Collect

Eternal God,
In your great love you gave your servant Nicholas
A perpetual name for deeds of kindness
on land and sea.

Grant that your church may never cease to work for the happiness of children, the safety of sailors, the relief of the poor and the help of those tossed by tempests of doubt or grief; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Lesser Feasts and Fasts

Psalm 23

1. The Lord is my shepherd; *
   I shall not be in want.
2. He makes me lie down in green pastures *
   and leads me beside still waters.
3. He revives my soul *
   and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.
4. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; *
   for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5. You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *
   you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over.
6. Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *
   and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

After the Psalm:

We call upon Your mercy, 0 Lord.
Through the intercession of St. Nicholas, keep us safe amid all dangers
so that we may go forward without hindrance on the road of salvation. Amen.

A Reading From The New Testament

Ephesians 4: 11–13

And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

or

1 John 4:7–14

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.
By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world.

The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.

Reflection

Prayers And Intercessions

Thanksgiving And Praise

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be they Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

The St Nicholas Society Prayer

O God, our Father, we pray for your blessing on this Society of St Nicholas. Draw us together in fellowship with one another and loyalty to you. May your Holy Spirit renew us in prayer and strengthen our love that we may be faithful servants and true witnesses to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

An Orthodox Prayer

Nicholas, The Servant of Christ, you were shown as truely victorious to the faithful people, strong in temptation, and worthy of your name! Called from all places, you are swift to come to those who turn with love to your protection. Appearing by day and night to the faithful, you save them from danger and temptation. By your intercessions to Christ.

Prayer to Saint Nicholas

O good Saint Nicholas, you who are the joy of the children, put in my heart the spirit of childhood, which the Gospel speaks, and teach me to seed happiness around me. You, whose feast prepares us for Christmas, open my faith to the mystery of God made man.

You, good bishop and shepherd, help me to find my place in the Church and inspire the church to be faithful to the gospel.

O good Saint Nicholas, patron of children, sailors and the helpless, watch over those who pray to Jesus, your Lord and theirs, as well as over those who humble themselves before you. Bring us all in reverence to the Holy Child of Bethlehem, where true joy and peace are found.

Amen.

During Advent

Good St Nicholas,
Help us prepare for the miracle of the coming of Jesus.
Help us not to be blind to the gifts of getting ready.
Help us be sincere in the greetings we send and receive, with love and prayer.

Kind St. Nicholas, protect us from shoppers' fatigue, stress, overspending,
yet help us to be kind and generous of heart to all,
especially those who are alone, financially poor and fearful.

May our celebration of your feast lead others to see the true meaning of giving and receiving and to guide all people to

The greatest of all gifts, even Jesus Christ, prince of peace and child of Mary, Our Lord and only saviour.

Amen.

Hymn

O blessed Saint, we honour you,
On this great festal day.
Hail Nicholas the faithful say,
Apostle of the Way.

As you helped those who round you came;
May we your presence feel,
As our commitment is the same
Answering Love's appeal.

The father poor, the three young girls,
Young men to life restored.
Sailors can rest, the sea is blessed,
Your miracles record.

In prison dark, your faith was strong;
Help those who suffer wrong,
We heed your words, the gospel call,
To hail Christ, Lord of all.

As Bari's pilgrims make their way
To sing of your great name
The wonder myrrh of Myra still
Proclaims your loving fame.

Lead us dear saint, in joy and peace,
Your prayers we now implore,
As we praise God, the Father, Son
And Spirit blest adored.

Tune: Cm St Fulbert
JMR 2002

or

Good Saint Nicholas of Myra
deeds and legends tell his fame
Saintly bishop, friend of children
Bari pilgrims chant the name

Bless'd Nicholas, Bless'd Nicholas
He loved all in Jesus' name

Miracles and signs and wonders
he performed to praise the Lord
For a poor and weary people
source of care and joy outpoured

Sailors, nations, people thank him
for the message that he brought
Young and old now hail the memory
Of the lessons that he taught

May his ways of true devotion
guide us on our earthly way
Challenge us to be more like him
as Christ's gospel we obey

Father, Son and Holy Spirit
bind us in community
so that we with holy Nicholas
might eternal glory see

Tune: Regent Square/Westminster Abbey

Acclamation

Glorious Nicholas, The Holy Preacher of Christ,
you are the great and fervent protector of those in danger:
those on land and sea, far off or near,
for you are a most compassionate and mighty intercessor.
Therefore as we assemble, we cry aloud:
Pray to the Lord that we may be delivered from all danger

Dismissal

+The Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with us now and evermore.
Amen.

By the Revd James Rosenthal, St Nicholas Society

back to top