The Feast Day of St. Nicholas

December 6th is traditionally celebrated as the feast day of St. Nicholas of Myra. If you are wondering, yes it is that St. Nicholas. Not much is known about his life, and what is known may be more legend than reality. However, there is much that we can learn from and thank God for in the life and ministry of St. Nicholas. He was most certainly the bishop of Myra (Moderna day Turkey), living during the 4th century AD. The best known story about him is that he generously gave money to a poor family with three daughters so that they could marry and would not be forced into prostitution. Some retellings of this story involve Nicholas sneaking into the family’s house at night, placing the money in the girl’s stocking that were hung by the fire for drying. As you can see, this grew into the modern day folklore of Santa Claus who gives gifts to kids throughout the world on Christmas Eve.

Despite the folklore, St. Nicholas was a real historical figure and bishop of the church. His life is rightly honored and celebrated during Advent on the anniversary of his death (December 6). He is also believed to have been present at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, and standing firm on the orthodox biblical teaching of the Trinity as opposed to Arianism that taught that “there was a time when Jesus was not”. For a deeper dive into the life of St. Nicholas be sure to checkout this documentary film: Saint Nicholas: The Real Story (2015).

Traditionally, families have celebrated this day by putting candy in their children’s stockings to commemorate the generosity of Nicholas. For more ideas on how to celebrate, see Ashley Tumlin Wallace’s book The Liturgical Home: Advent. No matter how you choose to celebrate this day, may we by God’s grace, stand firm on biblical faithfulness and be generous with what God has given us. This Advent, let us celebrate the real St. Nicholas and thank God for his witness. We encourage you to use the collect (prayer) of the day below and the Bible reading selection in your devotional time today.

Collect (Prayer) of the Day

Almighty God, we thank you for the life and legacy of your servant Nicholas of Myra. He served the Church faithfully as a pastor and bishop standing firm against false teaching. May we, by your grace, imitate his witness and generosity all the days of our lives. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen. (Taken from the ACNA Book of Common Prayer, 2019).

Bible Reading

Psalm 40:1-5 (ESV)

I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD. Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.

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