 |
| St. Nicholas Day is December 6th. |
St. Nicholas is a resplendent visitor at St. Martin's. I am
certain we have the best St. Nicholas in the diocese. His appearance reminded
me of an Advent prayer by an author I really like – Edward Hays. I would like
to share it with you. It is from his book, Prayers for the Domestic Church.
St. Nicholas Blessing Prayer
St.
Nicholas, holy patron of children,
Bishop of the East,
we invite you to come among us
and to grant us your holy
blessing.
Help us in
this busy, busy season
not to miss the miracle of the
coming of Emmanuel
in the days of preparation
as well as on the feast
itself.
Help us not
to be blind
to the gifts of getting ready.
Protect us
from insincerity.
May every
greeting we send
be signed with love,
friendship and prayer.
May our greetings,
so written,
be fun to open and treasures
to keep.
Kind St.
Nicholas,
protect us from shoppers
fatigue.
Show us how
to take delight in the marketplace,
now transformed in beauty,
lights and music.
Save us all
from anxiety over what to give
so that we may concentrate on how to give.
Stand by the
stepladder
as we decorate our homes and
trees and lives.
May our
decorations not be mute
but rather singing symbols,
sacred signs of the evergreen
coming of the Lord of Life.
Help us to
remember that mistletoe, holly
and all other ornaments of the
season,
 |
| On Sunday, December 8th St. Nicholas visited Church School. |
were sacred signs to ancient
believers.
But, most of
all, jolly saint of toys and sweets,
help us stay youthful,
humorous, playful and dream-filled
as we prepare together for the
coming of Christ
with Advent longing.
St.
Nicholas, pray for us.
Amen
- The Rev. Carol Duncan
