Saint Nicholas

I used to have a passionate dislike for Santa Claus.

When I had my first baby, I suddenly saw Christmas through different eyes. Everywhere I looked there was the jolly old elf, when what I wanted to see was Jesus. Christmas is the celebration of Jesus' birth, and He was nowhere to be seen. Santa was on display in every store, and on the front of most Christmas cards. Kids were clamoring to sit on his lap and have their photo taken with him. How would I explain to my son why there was a Santa in every mall, when he was supposedly preparing for Christmas at the North Pole? I found it really odd that Santa Claus could see and know everything; characteristics attributable to God alone.

My initial response was to avoid everything about Santa...

When doing Christmas crafts with my friends, they made boxes with Santa; I chose to put an angel on mine. I didn't even want Santa ornaments on my tree, and I especially didn't want my children to believe in Santa Claus. So from a young age, they knew that Santa didn't deliver gifts on Christmas eve. Nevertheless, I also helped them to be sensitive to their believing friends.

Slowly my attitude towards Santa has changed...

I'm not so adamantly anti-St. Nick. In fact, I've embraced St. Nicholas, and now my family has adopted a tradition in his honour. Every December 6th we celebrate St. Nicholas Day. The morning starts early as my kids look to see what small gifts "St. Nicholas" has put in their stocking. Usually there is an orange, a candy, and a small toy like Playmobil. Later we take some time to remember the historical St. Nicholas, by reading books (I recommend Santa Are You For Real by Harold Myra), or listening to tapes.

Saint Nicholas was a real person, who became the Bishop of Myra (hence the red suit), around 300 AD. He was known for his love of children and his great generosity. One story tells how he secretly helped three sisters by providing the dowry money necessary to get married. The coins he threw through an open window fell into their stockings hanging to dry by the fire (hence hanging stockings by the chimney with care). Saint Nicholas exemplified many of the character qualities that Jesus desires for his followers, including being generous to others and giving to the poor.

So now I actually appreciate Santa. In our house we've reached a compromise. He has his day, and on December 25th, Jesus has His. We get to celebrate the good qualities of Saint Nicholas, have an extra day of fun, and still keep Christmas focused on Jesus.

Merry Christmas to all and all a good night!

Mary's Story

Join me in exploring the possible thoughts and setting of a Jewish teenage girl on the eve of a startling revelation that will change her story...and ours.

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Mary lies on her mat the way she does every night.

Wondering...about many things.

Watching...the moonlight through a tiny window set high in the mud and mortar wall of her bedroom. Inhaling the blossoms of the olive tree fragrant in the humid night; the cumin and coriander that linger after the days cooking. Listening to the murmur of her parents' voices as they prepare for bed.

Remembering...the dust and noise of the market place where she chooses vegetables and fruit for the evening meal, the loom in the courtyard where she weaves cloth for the family garments and the spring-fed well where she meets other teenage girls who balance water jars on their heads while navigating the narrow laneways of their village.

Her mind shifts to the man she is engaged to marry in the coming year. A carpenter. How wonderful it will be to lay sheltered in his arms, to become his wife...

A smile forms on Mary's lips as she drifts in and out of sleep, thinking of God of the ancient scriptures, God who is eternal in his care for his people. Many times she overhears scholars discuss the prophecy of a Saviour who will bring spiritual renewal to the human race. A greatly anticipated event to transform their lives.

Gently her chest rises and falls, her thoughts yield to deeper sleep. Her dark hair falls across her face. What does she dream of ?

Is she restless for something less predictable than her routines? Does she ever sense that God might be preparing her for a special role in history? Perhaps, she is content to be a young woman with an ordinary life.

What was that? Mary's eyes flash open. Something has changed.

She listens. Rolls over. The moon has moved on. And yet light floods her room...

In the place where she earlier swept the mud floor stands Gabriel, an angel of the Lord.

"Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you."

Mary covers her mouth. What kind of greeting could this be? I am only a simple peasant girl.

"Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God."

Is it really possible that God who created the heavens and the earth favours me?

"You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High."

Finally the young woman speaks. "How will this be since I am a virgin?"

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

"Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."

With surprising surrender Mary opens her palms. " I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."

Darkness once more fills the place where Gabriel stood and Mary's thoughts begin to race.

What have I agreed to? How could I yield to this mission unless God Most High gives me the faith to believe this miracle will come to pass. And faith to trust he will help me bear this responsibility.

She touches her abdomen. Like a gentle breath from heaven, God has sown the seed of his Son into Mary's womb. She is the virgin she read about in scriptures...

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel - God with us." Isaiah 7:14.

While the young woman waits for dawn to slip through her window she tries to grasp the miracle that has entered her body and simple life.

In the days that follow, Mary hurries off to confide in her cousin Elizabeth. When they see each other Mary's heart overflows in song...

"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant..."

Despite her lowly position in life Mary knows she has been chosen by God's grace. The Son she carries will be her Saviour, as well as the Saviour for all nations.

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God has transformed Mary's story.

This is the same God who calls each of us to trust him and receive his Son as our Saviour. His grace offers us enough faith to believe his promise of salvation is meant for us too. All a person needs to do is open her heart and accept God's gift.

Please Lord -- transform my story too.

[All dialogue in bold print above is taken from Luke 2. You may want to read the historical account in your bible or google the reference.]