Wednesday, December 6, 2023
“Feast of St. Nicholas”
Today is the Feast of Saint Nicholas, honoring Nicholas of Myra, most legendarily known for the three dowries he provided to a poor farmer whose three daughters were in danger of being taken into slavery. Saint Nicholas sneaked up to the family’s window one evening and threw bags of money into the house. The bags landed in the girls’ shoes that were drying by the fireplace.
That’s the story most people know, but many other stories, legends, and tales exist about Saint Nicholas, originating from all over the world. His feast day in the Western Church (Americas, Europe, Asia Minor) is December 6th, to honor his death in 346 AD. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of children and students, as well as the patron saint of sailors, merchants, beer-makers, and pawnbrokers. What a combination of characters who grabbed onto Saint Nicholas! But of course, most people recognize him because of his generosity to those in need.
Many people don’t realize that following his death, his bones found several resting places, finally settling in the Basilica of Myra, located in Bari, Italy (just under 300 miles southeast of Rome). The bones are said to generate holy water (manna) which is collected daily and is said to have healing properties. Scientists and clergy still argue over the strange phenomenon. Whatever is happening, the rest of us would say that it’s pretty cool and worth a few minutes on Google so we can develop our own opinions (https://www.stnicholascenter.org/who-is-st-nicholas).
In this first week of Advent, the week attributed to Hope, I find it awesome that we can have hope in something as old, abstract, and difficult to prove as the stories and legends about Saint Nicholas. I believe that God puts special people on this earth to make a difference in our lives. Though not everyone believes in Saint Nicholas (or Santa), I’m guessing that everyone does have someone in their own lives that they might consider a Saint. I know I do. Though the world may not know these people, their impact on me is significant enough for me to put them into a special place in my mind where only the elite have access.
Does this bring someone to mind in your life? Do you believe that a saint is watching over you right now? If this bothers you, don’t worry. You are special to someone and nobody else needs to know. Give God a little thanks for that special saint today. God didn’t give you a saint by accident or put you in their lives by accident, either!
“I thank my God every time I mention you in my prayers. I’m thankful for all of you every time I pray, and it’s always a prayer full of joy.” (Philippians 1:3-4, CEB)