Sermon for a Visit by St. Nicholas
by Ralph Buck, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Foley, Alabama
You may not know that in 2018 Pope Francis invited religious leaders from all the Middle East denominations to meet in Bari to pray for peace in the Middle East and an end to conflict in Syria. It would be an "ecumenical meeting for peace to discuss the dramatic situation of the Middle East that afflicts so many brothers and sisters in the faith." Bari was chosen because it represents the "window into the East" and is also the home of the relics of St Nicholas, who is venerated by the Western and Eastern Christians alike.
Now, I have just a few more words to say before I return to Bari for another year. Advent is the time when Christians prepare to greet Christ—who came as a babe in a manger, who comes into our lives each day, and who will come again at the end of time. As a matter of fact, the usual reading on this 4th Sunday in Advent is from the Gospel of Matthew, and recounts how the birth of Jesus, the Messiah, took place. I urge you to read it to your families on Christ Mass Eve.
Now, Advent is the time when people of faith are most at odds with the culture. The church calls people to focus on getting ready to receive Christ—preparing hearts and lives to make room for Jesus, to live as he would have us live. It is a time of longing, not fulfillment. Quiet reflection, not celebration. The culture, however, is already in a time of festivity—actually started before Thanksgiving—and is unable or unwilling to wait, contemplate and prepare for the real festival. It is not easy to observe Advent without being pulled prematurely into Christmas.
So, how does St. Nicholas fit into all of this? First, he is an Advent saint because his December 6th feast day always falls in early Advent. However, Nicholas is a good Advent saint for more important reasons than the date of his special day. Whatever he did—and it is said that he did many amazing things—may not be as important as the way he did them. St. Nicholas is sometimes called the "Wonder-Worker." Indeed, many are the wonders that he is said to have worked in the years of his life. Perhaps the greatest wonder is that he simply took Christ at his word and followed him with all his heart and soul. He showed how the true Christian life can be lived. And perhaps another wonder is that the memory of his sweet life has come down to our day to shed its fragrance in the world in which we live.
Nicholas became so popular because he was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. His life clearly reflected the way each one of us is called to show God's love to others, especially the poor and those in need, as our Old Testament Lesson from Proverbs instructs.
In the Middle Ages (the 6th century) Saint Nicholas, along with Martin of Tours, was celebrated as a true people's saint because of the way he lived. This was unusual as most saints at that time were martyrs who had died for their faith. Both Nicholas and Martin lived to an old age and died peacefully. This may be why they were so very popular: to be examples of how to live, rather than how to die in times of persecution.
You should know that St. Nicholas has a particular connection as a Patron Saint to over 100 groups of people—including sailors, fishermen, merchants, travelers, the falsely accused, repentant thieves, pharmacists, archers, pawn brokers, and maidens in need of a dowry—but it is with children that he has the closest bond.
This is clearly shown in today's Gospel for The Feast of St. Nicholas, from Mark 10:13-16:
People were bringing little children to Jesus in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it. And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
Why does the Kingdom of God belong to such as these? [pause]
St Nicholas felt certain it is because little children's lives are fully open to the love of God. If they are fortunate, their hearts have never been broken. They know of no reason not to open their hearts to the world around them.
Not so much with us. The modern world in which we live is full of heart break: cherished beliefs are under attack almost daily, and we experience divisions, hatred, and rejection, even by loved ones. The wounded are everywhere among us. Hearts that were once wide open have closed—like a clam shell. So, even when God comes knocking, we are skeptical. How do we know that He means it? How can we be sure that we won't be hurt—again?
Well, we can do this: we can receive the Kingdom of God like a little child; we can love like we've never been hurt. Our only alternative is to love like we HAVE been hurt; but anyone who has ever been on the receiving end of that, will tell you it isn't any kind of love at all.
At the end of this passage, Mark was telling us that Jesus was lifting little children into his arms, laying his hands on them, and blessing them. You can almost hear them giggling as he does it—can't you? You can almost see the smiles on their faces—and the smile on his. Why was this?
Well, the words we have in Psalm 78 point us to the truth:
That which we have heard and known,
and what our forefathers have told us, we will not hide from their children.
We will recount to generations to come
the praiseworthy deeds and the power of the LORD,
and the wonderful works he has done.
[And this was so] the children yet unborn,
in their turn might tell it to their children;
So that they might put their trust in God, and not forget the deeds of God,
but keep his commandments;
And what are those commandments that our children will trust?
Well, in part, I John 4 tells us:
"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....
Since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.
No one has ever seen God, BUT, if we love one another, God lives in us,
and His love is perfected in us."
That is the way Nicholas of Myra lived his life—Like a child—whose heart has not been broken—who is lifted up by our Savior—who receives his blessing—who trusts his promises—.even when unjustly imprisoned and tortured like Nicholas—and he holds up for us a challenge on which to model our own lives.
And so, like Saint Nicholas of Myra, we too need to open our hearts and receive the Kingdom of God like a child. We, too, need to be steeped in our Lord's commandments of love for one another. We, too, must look beyond the hurt and heartbreak, and be Christ for those we encounter on our journey through life, lifting them up and blessing them in His Name.
Small treats and surprises help keep alive the spirit of good St. Nicholas, especially when stories of his goodness and kind deeds are told, and ways to express his care for those in need are sought. And we, too, as did Nicholas long ago, now prepare for the birth of our Lord and King through repentance, reflection, and readiness.
Yes, I rather like being an Advent saint!! And YOU can be one too—Multiply the love you learn and display here in the church named for Saint Paul, by witnessing Christ's love to all whom you encounter in your daily life. Tell them of Christ's birth, ministry, death, and resurrection. Invite them to visit and worship with you. Let the joy of your celebration be always on your faces.
Let us pray:
Almighty God, in your love you gave your servant Nicholas of Myra a perpetual name for deeds of love, hope, kindness and generosity both on land and sea: Grant, we pray, 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, forever and ever. Amen.
A BLESSED AND JOYFUL LAST SUNDAY IN ADVENT TO AL . . . and a HOLY CHRIST-MASS to come.
From Ralph Buck, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Foley, Alabama, 2019. Used by permission