Bible
Study: Isaiah 40, 1 to 11 and Matthew 18, 12 to 14.
To really
understand what happens at Christmas, one great Saint told this story. Once
upon a time, there was a problem in the kingdom of rats. The rats were
constantly dying in such large numbers because of a particular feeding habit of
theirs. There was no way to tell them to change their ways because no one could
speak or understand the language of the rats. To prevent the rats from going
into extinction, the suggestion was raised that someone would have to change
into a rat in other to go and save them.
Everyone jeered
at the idea of how a person would become a rat but it was the only solution to
the rat problem. The person would be both a rat and a human at the same time
and he would have to be born as a rat so that he would be accepted into the rat
community. He wouldn’t have to be a rat for so long and he would spend some
time leaning the ways of the rats. The moment he reached adulthood, he would
begin teaching the rats how to avoid the things that were responsible for their
deaths in rapid succession.
At the
end, the only child of the king volunteered and even though it saddened the
king, he was happy that his son was willing to make this sacrifice. And that
was how the rats were saved.
This story
is the Christmas Story. It is the story of how God the great king gave us his
only son; how he came to be born as a man even though he was God at the same time,
to save mankind from eternal damnation. And Jesus came not to save a few but
everyone! Even if there is only one person missing, he or she does not deserve
to be lost. Jesus, like a dedicated shepherd can afford to leave the ninety
nine behind in search of the one. Having become man for our sake, Jesus would
stop at nothing to save everyone.
This attitude
of Jesus should be ours also especially as we enter this season of Christmas.
We too are called to become rats in other that our presence in the rat
community will prevent them from going into extinction. Isaiah says: “Comfort
my people… speak tenderly… cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her
iniquity is pardoned.” We are called to level the mountains of hate,
unforgiveness and envy that keep us separated from those who are most in need. We
are called to fill up the valleys of emptiness by giving gifts and showing love
to others. God’s gift to us was his only son. Is there any gift too precious to
give away this Christmas?
Now,
coming to gifts, our minds are drawn to the Saint we remember today. St.
Nicholas around whom rests the legend of Santa Claus. If you ever seen Santa
Claus or “Father Christmas” as we like to say in this part of the world, you
would notice his dressing is very similar to that of a Catholic Bishop. In fact,
it is said that even the name Santa Claus is a translation of Saint Nicholas.
Santa for Saint and Claus for Nicholas.
Who is
this St. Nicholas? According to legends, Nicholas was born during the third
century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on
the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a
devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying
Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor,"
Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the
suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra
while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for
his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for
sailors and ships.
Through
the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and
deeds. One story tells of a poor man with three daughters. In those days a
young woman's father had to offer prospective husbands something of value—a
dowry. The larger the dowry, the better the chance that a young woman would
find a good husband. Without a dowry, a woman was unlikely to marry. This poor
man's daughters, without dowries, were therefore destined to be sold into
slavery.
Mysteriously,
on three different occasions, a bag of gold appeared in their home-providing
the needed dowries. The bags of gold, tossed through an open window, are said
to have landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. This led to
the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting
gifts from Saint Nicholas. Sometimes the story is told with gold balls instead
of bags of gold. That is why three gold balls, sometimes represented as
oranges, are one of the symbols for St. Nicholas. And so St. Nicholas is a
gift-giver.
Under the
Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas
suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. After his release, Nicholas
attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra
and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna,
formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers,
fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. (Read more at www.stnicholascenter.org).
Now you
know the story behind Santa Claus, why not become a Santa Claus this Christmas
by giving gifts to the needy freely.
Let us
Pray: Lord Jesus, may I be an instrument of joy to the world. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you. Happy new week.
Fr. Abu.
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