Day Six:
Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker
What crowns of praise shall we weave the bishop?
He reaches out in spirit to all.
--Troparion for St. Nicholas
Tradition has blurred the line between Nicholas of Myra, a fourth-century bishop, and jolly ol' St. Nick. Little is known about Nicholas, but it's safe to say that he wasn't a roly-poly man in a red hat. Learn more about the man honored by the Orthodox Church and other churches for his holiness
Saints (Un)Preserve Us: St. Nicholas Resurrects Pickled Boys!
An evil shopkeeper chops up and pickles three boys. A fourth-century saint comes to the rescue.
BY: Martha Ainsworth
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The historic St. Nicholas was the Bishop of Myra, in Asia Minor. St. Nicholas is traditionally considered the patron saint of children, particularly boys. In fact, in medieval England, it was the custom on St. Nicholas' Day (December 6) to choose a choirboy from the cathedral choir as "Bishop for a Day." Some cathedral museums still have their "boy bishop" vestments on display.
Icon: St. Nicholas and the Three Slain Boys
St. Nicholas Day Blessing of Candy Canes
BY: Edward Hays
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Excerpted from "Prayers for the Domestic Church: A Handbook for Worship in the Home," by Edward Hays. Forest of Peace Publishing, c2000. Used with permission.
Good St. Nicholas, we honor you
on this your holy feast day.
We rejoice that you are the patron saint
and the holy symbol of joy
for many peoples of many lands.
Come, great-hearted saint,
and be our patron and companion
as we, once again, prepare our homes and hearts
for the great feast of Christmas,
the birth of the Eternal Blessing, Jesus Christ.
May these sweets, these candy canes,
be a sign of Advent joy for us.
May these candy canes,
shaped just like your Bishop's staff,
be for us a sign of your benevolent care.
We rejoice that you are the holy bringer of gifts
and that so many have been delighted
through your great generosity.
Help us to be as generous of heart.
Wherever these candy canes are hung,
on tree or wall or door,
may they carry with them
the bright blessing of God.
May all who shall taste them
experience the joy of God
upon their tongues and in their hearts.
We ask God, now, to bless
these your brightly striped sweets
in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Advent Prayer: Enduring TribulationFriday December 4, 2009
Categories: Advent, Advent Prayers, Bible, Jesus
By Claudia Mair Burney
Friday, the first week of Advent
"And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the Inn." Luke 2:7
One of the biggest myths that I bought into as a new believer was that the Christian life was a seamless journey to heaven, and Jesus would make everything better. I may have even had a t-shirt with what looked like the Coca Cola logo that proclaimed as much. While it's true that Jesus has made everything better, my journey to meet Him face to face has been far from seamless. Even Jesus had it rough: He was conceived by an unwed teen; the king put a contract out on him while His mother was pregnant, and He was born in a filthy stable because there was no room in the Inn for a woman ripe with child; all because of a government-mandated event. Yet we find no evidence that the Holy Family complained bitterly about their fate. Does their response mirror your own, not just to the challenges, but tribulations of life?
Patient Lord and Master,
I don't know how to suffer. I'm afraid to even have this conversation with You for fear that more pain and hardship will come my way. But this is silliness. You've already told us in the Gospels that in this world we would have tribulations. Help me to remember that You are with me, and that you will not put more suffering on me than I can bear. Lord, you endured far more than I will ever have to. Help me to look upon You always, and take strength for my journey from Your example. When I am cowering in fear of the darkness of life, illuminate me.
"Come, Lord Jesus."
Read more: http://blog.beliefnet.com/prayerplainandsimple/2009/12/advent-prayer-enduring-tribulation.html#ixzz176SpaTyU
The association is traced to the legend of St. Nicholas and the Three Pickled Boys. Tradition has it that an evil shopkeeper in the town of Myra hated children. He kidnapped three small boys, chopped them up with an axe, and pickled them in a barrel. St. Nicholas, upon hearing of this horror, prayed fervently to God. Because of the purity of his faith, the boys were raised to life and wholeness again and came out of the pickle barrel singing "Alleluia!" and giving thanks to God.
The legend of St. Nicholas and the Three Pickled Boys was popularized in this century by the composer Benjamin Britten in his well-known cantata "St. Nicolas" (op. 42). The witty choral work, with poetry by Eric Crozier, tells the life of the saint in song; three choirboys sing the part of the Pickled Boys, always an audience favorite.
For several years at Christmastime, Godiva Chocolate produced a large, solid chocolate St. Nicholas figure which had at his feet three boys and a pickle barrel.
The illustration shows what is believed to be the only existing icon depicting this legend. The evil shopkeeper's axe is visible in the lower right corner. To make a theological point, the artist has made the pickle barrel a baptismal font, symbolizing death and rebirth.
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