Loading...St. Nicholas Day — leave a shoe out for St. Nicholas to leave treats or oranges?
4th c. Bishop of Myra in present day Turkey.
Legend has it that Bishop Nicholas left gold coins and fruit at the door of a poor man with three daughters to pay their dowries so that they could marry rather than be sold into slavery.
This has morphed significantly into the Father Christmas/Santa Claus story, mostly through German and Dutch traditions, coupled with some from Scandinavia and crystalized in the US through poetry, song, and advertising.
Yet, the original story, whatever form it may have truly been,
seems to be about a faithful man caring for those who were in difficult situation.
One could say that he lived the good news of Jesus in his life.
Despite our day to remember and commemorate St. Nicholas, we are still — really — in Advent, not yet Christmas!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What would you consider to be good news?
Maybe, in this year, good news would be that the vaccine for Covid works and there’s enough for everyone to have it!
Good news might also be about your health or the health of someone you love.
or, the healing of a difficult and broken relationship;
word that you are welcomed and loved back into community;
justice brought to fruition for one who has been wronged;
school is back in session, for all kids, safely!
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ....
Mark’s gospel begins just like this.
No geneology (like in Matthew’s) or family story (Luke’s), or
theological poetry (John’s).
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ....
This story that Mark is going to tell about Jesus
begins here and is full of good news!
People who are hungry being fed.
Children, women, and men who are sick are healed.
Child brought back to life.
People who are cut of from society because of “sin” or uncleanliness or disease are made right — brought back to wholeness of body and community.
Families are knit back together.
Lessons are shared.
Meals are eaten together, especially with those whom society has deemed ... undesirable.
Jesus is the good news.
Jesus declares the good news.
Jesus lives the good news.
It begins here. With these words.
And it ends, at least, sort of, 16 chapters later with these words:
“So [Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome] went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.”
Words which may be disconcerting and bizarre until you read them as the prelude or introduction to
“The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ....”
The good news of Jesus isn’t crucifixion and death,
or even so much, resurrection,
except that they lead us back to
WHO Jesus was and
WHAT Jesus did and said and taught — how he lived.
How do we emulate Jesus?
What have you learned from Jesus and his love for you?
What is the good news of Jesus Christ?
And then, how do you share that?
How are you transformed by this good news
and live it out every day?
How might we pay attention to and learn,
as that bold and active bishop, St. Nicholas, from all those years ago who noticed a need and was able to meet it?
What might be the Way you follow Jesus?
Patience? Kindness? Forgiveness? Working for reconciliation? Striving for justice? Listening to the voices of those who need healing who are around?
Loving?
The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ —
the good news of great joy, I like to call it.
Every day, with great joy, for all whom you meet.
Amen
