On December 6th, alot of the Christian world celebrates the feast of St. Nicholas. At our house, one of the ways we celebrate it is by filling the boys shoes with oranges, chocolates, and other candies. However, the real celebration isn't about candy or filling your shoe with other goodies, but rather meditating on the life of St. Nicholas in order that we may be encouraged in the faith.

St. Nicholas was the Bishop of Myra in the early 4th century. There a story about him that at the council of Nicaea, in 325, he supposedly went up to the heretic Arius and punched him for not rejecting his teachings that Jesus wasn't God, but a creature that was made into God. The story may or may not be true, but what it tells us is that Nicholas took the faith seriously and defended it with his life. He took doctrine as a serious matter because they were the words of life and death. What Nicholas was really known for was being a generous bishop, giving money to the poor, harboring the homeless, rescuing sailors, and protecting children. He is known for believing the Word steadfastly, and living the word out as well. He is known for having faith that lived in love for his neighbor. We thank God today for St. Nicholas as an example of charitable giving and sacrificial living. We also thank God for showing mercy to Nicholas in granting him faith that trusted in the promises and mercy of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. The only way Nicholas was able to live such a generous life was because God was first and always generous to him in love and forgiveness.

So, let us celebrate Nicholas today by living generously with each other in both temporal things and in the forgiveness of each other's sins. Let us also celebrate by receiving the same mercy, grace, and forgiveness that Nicholas did and living a life free from the burden and terror of sin, death, and the power of the devil. 

Peace be with you. May the devil be silenced, the world be hushed, and the Old Adam be drowned anew so that you hear only the peaceful voice of your Savior Jesus who says, "I forgive you. I love you. I claim you as My own forever," Amen.

Jesus' Sheepdog,

Pastor Hull