A few things for Advent
on the feast of St. Nicholas
I hope the Advent season underway is a rich and lovely time for you. Advent began last Sunday and even if you’ve missed the beginning, you can still enter into its goodness. One way that I best catch the Advent groove is through music, and my Advent playlist has been on repeat in the car and at home.
Tonight, however, is one of my favourite times in Advent, when I get to dress up like one of the irrepressible saints of the faith - St. Nicholas. That’s me, in the photo above, in front of my former church (Knox Presbyterian in Toronto). I introduced the staff at Knox to the feast of St. Nicholas, instructing them to leave their shoes out in the hope that St. Nicholas would swing by with some treats. And Nicholas delivered in person!
My Protestant parents (Protestants are not known for their celebration of saints), immigrants from the Netherlands, did celebrate this one saint. Sinterklaasavond (the evening before the feast of St. Nicholas on December 6) is big in Holland and my parents brought the celebration to Canada. I loved it as a kid, getting a chocolate letter and other sweets.
And so we keep on celebrating it (and I keep dressing up and making a few visits every December 5). But learning more about the life of the real Nicholas makes it all the more meaningful. Nicholas of Myra was one righteous Jesus follower, a living witness of the sweetness of a generous and compassionate life, a man who believed so deeply in the power of God’s mercy, a beautifully holy life.
Here are a few resources on Nicholas of Myra to enjoy:
“St. Nicholas is our guy” an article at Christianity Today.
Check out all the great resources at the St. Nicholas Center
Here is a post I wrote last year on St. Nick and the need for re-enchanting our faith.
I’ve been using “Seeking God’s Face” for the last 4-5 years. It’s my favorite resource in the last 10 years or so. I’ve given countless copies away. Just bought two more as Christmas presents this week.
Thank you for the time & effort (& obedience) that went into creating this treasure. I know there’s still quite a few years left to walk through it, but if the Lord impresses it upon your heart, I look forward to at least one more copy with future years as I get older.
I came across your substack not long ago & have enjoyed your writing.
As much as I get frustrated with the internet & social media, it’s provided me with opportunities to my favorite authors over the years to express the impact their work has had on my life.
Again, thank you for what you’ve created. It’s been a blessing to myself & many around me.
Happy Advent & Merry Christmas.