Starting New Traditions

Song of Saint Nicholas

by J.M Rosenthal

Listen here to this and other St. Nicholas songs

Children everywhere agree

Each December now to be

Ready, eager, all to greet

The great saint we wait to meet.

Bearing gifts, he first recalls

If we have been good at all,

In our work, at home or play

All before St Nicholas day.

With his helpers at his side,

Celebrating far and wide,

He's the real Santa Claus,

Hail our kind St Nicholas

Now he leads us one and all

To the Christmas manger stall

Sees the babe, he bows the knee

For the prince of peace—tis he!

So in Myra stories told

His great love, his actions bold,

Pilgrims now to Bari go

So the legends all may know.

Now the day of joy and fun

Ole St Nick, his work is done,

Says goodbye to young and old

By whom still his tales are told.

There are many traditions to share with one another at this season, some old, some new enough to be rediscovered! Recollecting the date, December 6th is the feast of Saint Nicholas of Bari, the Simple Mind writes a bit about this personage. More often called Saint Nicholas of Myra or more often, Santa Claus was indeed a real person. As a saint of the Church and a most highly favored saint of Greek Orthodoxy, he is also  revered in Russia, to mention a few places. Little is known of his earliest years, but he was said to have been born about 460 or 480 AD in Patara, he was highly influenced by the teachings of another saint, Saint Augustine of Hippo; he was so moved that he became one of their community. Later he was made bishop of the ancient diocese of Myra, Asia Minor, today part of Turkey. Tracing the life of this saint proves to be an interesting travel itinerary.

He is attributed with several characteristics: he taught the Christian gospel vigorously, like the good shepherd and was imprisoned during  persecutions of Diocletian. Specifically, Roman Emperor Diocletian rescinded the legal rights of Christians and demanded that they observe traditional Roman religious practice. Freed from prison by Emperor Constantine, Nicholas was said to have been present at the Council of Nicaea held in 325 AD in Alexandria, Egypt. Later as Bishop, he worked to save the lives of three men, is said to be the saint of children, sailors, to have encouraged the active practice of Charity as taught by the Christ, to love one another. This was remarkable in his world where an eye for an eye reigned supreme. He died at Myra and was buried within his Cathedral.

This December, learn about the Saint, share in his practice and make the holiday bright. Today we offer treats and chocolates to one another and observe many other customs inspired by Saint Nicholas. Exchanging gifts is one practice recalling the birth of the Christ child that is also attributed to Saint Nicholas.

A Saint Is Made

"Out of shadows and images into the truth" --Cardinal John Newman

Abba Father

by Landry and Talbot

Listen Here

Abba, Abba, Father.

You are the potter; we are the clay,

the work of your hands.

Mold us, mold us and fashion us

into the image of Jesus, your Son,

of Jesus, your Son.

Father, may we be One in you.

May we be One in you as he is in you,

and you are in him.

Glory, glory and praise to you.

Glory and praise to you forever, amen,

forever, amen.

While much is made of the beatification of Cardinal John Newman and the religious fore-history of England, there is little to note except that he led a life that some would consider replete with many, many fits and starts. He was not always Catholic, he did not have an ideal family background; some of his siblings were Deists, or non-believers; his personal life,  his deepest feelings and most private thoughts were beyond the norms of his society.

Yet he found his way to the Church, to the Christ and to the pure unity it offered to him. So this Sunday, the Sunday when a Pope, thought to be ultimately conservative, honors this man, recognizes his whole, loving oneness with the Lord, it will be a reminder and a vindication that all who believe are saved, that grace and redemption are real. There is salvation in faith.

While some may gossip about the man's private life; some such as a National Public Radio(NPR)broadcast may wish to titillate with certain details, others will know most clearly that a National Public Radio station is clearly no expert on Church affairs, nor is it even on the mark when explaining dogma to the masses. The beatification of Cardinal John Newman demonstrates their slander for what it is--gossip without foundation, as all gossip necessarily is.

Rejoice and be glad, for the way of the Christ is before us. He, the Bible teaches, did not distinguish one of God's children from another;he loved them all. Peace be with you. Amen.