Tis the season to be jolly!! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!!
As I trawl through the TV offerings I’m struck by the huge amount of Santa Claus movies, themes, and cartoons. Makes sense because we are in the season of Santa.
As we get to Christmas Eve, various news programs will offer updates of Santa’s progress as he makes his way around the world delivering presents. Makes sense because we are in the season of Santa Claus.
Santa Claus . . . or Father Christmas, Le Père Nöel, and Kriss Kringle, are all names for the same person: Saint Nicolas.
Nicolas lived in the early fourth century and at a young age was elected bishop of Myra, in present-day Turkey. He suffered through at least one Roman persecution, and was acknowledged as a deeply faithful church leader. Although Nicolas was quite rich he gave money away but he wanted it kept a secret. Despite the secrecy, stories of his generosity spread far and wide and in the Middle Ages, more people prayed to Saint Nicolas than to any other saint. He is the patron saint of Russia, sailors, children, bankers, students, pawnbrokers, and even vagabonds and thieves - quite an interesting gathering of people for Saint Nick to look after!
So let’s celebrate the season of Santa Claus. Santa is just another word for ‘saint.’ And Claus is the Dutch way of pronouncing the last part of Nicolas. As we celebrate let’s remember the origin of Santa Claus - a deeply faithful bishop who lived his life based on Jesus’ message of generously and quietly giving to others.
This Sunday, we will celebrate our third Sunday of Advent. Younger Genesis participants will be exploring the legend of the little drummer boy in story and song while older ones will be reflecting on putting our dreams into action by creating a "Children’s Human Rights" declaration. Revelation participants will be considering, if we are "people of the dream" - what is God dreaming us into being?
Don’t forget to arrive early for a warm cup of fair-trade coffee and some Christmas caroling.
See you Sunday!
Abigail
P.S. We have a lovely fresh Christmas tree in our worship space to grace our Advent 3 worship but we need decorations! Please bring a decoration to add to our tree and make a truly communal Christmas display. Click on Heartbeat for more information. AJ