What does it mean to be human?  Is there something more than simply being homo-sapiens designed with a certain kind of primate body?  One of the things that separates humanity from the rest of creation is that we have the ability to challenge ourselves and question whether we are living up to our potential.  Does a cat ask, “Am I a good cat?”  I don’t think so.  The cat simply goes ahead and lives as a cat.  Human beings are different.  We are concerned, at least if we are in our right minds, about measuring our ability to be ourselves in many different ways. 

For many years one of my greatest fears was whether I was a good father.  I continually asked myself if I was doing the best I could possibly do to contribute to the development and welfare of my children.  I’ll not explain the extent of my worries about this in too much detail so I don’t risk being thought of as a bit paranoid.  Well, they are grown now, and have children of their own, and they appear to be healthy well-balanced individuals.  I have often been concerned with my ability to perform a certain task or another.  I might ask; am I a good minister? am I a good therapist, or am I a good manager and supervisor?  Do I truly do all that I can to empower those around me to do their jobs and tasks?

Our Scripture lessons for the Sunday after Christmas, December 30, 2007, remind us of the incarnation of Christ—God becoming a human being.  The Gospel of John tells us that the Word was eternally existent with God, and was truly God.  The Word was present at creation and without the Word of God creation would not have happened. The Word became human and lived among humanity in the person of Jesus Christ.  The Christian doctrine of salvation has been uniquely linked to the doctrine of God becoming human in the person of Jesus; fully God and fully human at the same time and without becoming two separate and distinct personalities.  God became human in order to bring salvation to humanity.

For Jesus, being human was a challenging experience.  He was tempted in every way like we are tempted.  Jesus experienced both the best and the worst of what it means to be human. Jesus was vulnerable to others.   He lived in an occupied land under a tyrannical ruler.  Within this environment, Jesus did not forsake his humanity or his deity.  He confronted those around him.  He was a bit of a troublemaker as an itinerant religious teacher and philosopher. He didn’t always know where he would sleep at night or where his next meal was coming from.  He knew what it meant to be lonely and he had the desire to escape from the crowd and be alone.  Jesus knew how to passionately love others and he was truly loved.  He also knew what it meant to be betrayed unto death by someone he loved.  He was tortured and murdered.  Jesus truly experienced humanity.

Most of us cannot claim the same range of human experience that Jesus knew; although countless numbers of people have experienced similar pains at the hands of cruel people. For the most part we tend to be more concerned with more basic things.  Most people in the world simply want to survive.  Psychologist Abraham Maslow developed a hierarchy of human needs that can have something to do with what it means to be human.  The most basic of needs are those that help us survive; our physiological needs.  We need to be able to breathe, eat food, drink water and perform all the tasks required to keep the organism known as the human body alive.  However, being human is more than this simple interpretation of life.

Maslow explained that we also have the need for safety.  Essentially we want ourselves and our families to be safe from harm.  This often requires some more complex thinking.  Safety requires a sense of morality and protection of life.  That, I believe is one of the primary indicators of humanity, that we have a conscience, we have a sense of right and wrong.  The story of the Garden of Eden from genesis seems to point to the idea that the knowledge of good and evil is what separates humanity from the remainder of creation.  Often our moral sense is critical to preserving our safety.   The next need in the hierarchy is the need to love and be loved.  We need to feel as if we belong.  This is another critical distinction of humanity.  We build relationships with others that cause us to be loved and to love others.  Without love we cannot be fully human.

There is something else about being human that is likely unique among the animals of earth.   We have a need for esteem.  We want to be respected.  We have a need to respect ourselves, and want to have a sense of accomplishment so we are respected by others.  I doubt any other creatures much care what their peers’ think of them, but human beings will go to great lengths to prove that they deserve respect.  This can often get out of control and lead to some fairly dangerous consequences. Maslow’s final human need -- and one that not everyone is capable of achieving -- is the need for self-actualization; the ability to discover one’s true self and live our lives to the fullest extent possible.

I find it interesting that Jesus made several “I am” statements recorded in the Gospel of John that seem to fit with basic human needs.  “I am the bread of life” relates to biological needs.  “I am the light of the world” could easily relate to safety and security.  “I am the true vine” shows that we all are connected and “belong” to one another.  “I am the good shepherd” could indicate the value of humanity and respect for life since the good shepherd will give his life for the sheep.  Finally, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” is certainly an indication of the source of self-actualization as we discover truth and live our lives following the way to its fullest.

Both the Gospel of John and today’s reading from Galatians explains that being fully human is not connected to the more primitive idea of simply following a list of rules and laws.  Being fully human means living by faith through the Grace of God.  Jesus is our example of how we have a higher purpose than to follow Old Testament law, or even the more modern rules made up by church councils and associations.  Our purpose is to discover the uniqueness that God has created in each of us. 

Laws and rules so often want everyone to conform to the same pattern.  Jesus shows us that being fully human means we do not conform, but we live true to ourselves instead.  Of course we can’t be self-actualized until we have met our more basic needs and have a healthy conscience, but we are to live in the freedom that comes from knowing the unique expression of God that is within and allowing it to shine forth.

The way to be fully human can be found in the radical teachings of Jesus.  He didn’t say that we are to live in bondage to tradition and law.  Instead, Jesus promised that “you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”  The Gospel reads, “From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

Isaiah 61:10-62:3

Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7

John 1:1-18

The future can be a frightening place.  You and I are limited to what we know about the past and what we are experiencing in the present; but we can’t possibly know what will happen in the future.  It is this fact that causes anxiety about what may happen next.  We can only come up with a best guess about the future based on what we have experienced before and what is happening now.

There are many reasons to be concerned about what could happen in the future.  Newsweek reported recently that this year may be a pivotal year in global warming due to the arctic melting at a much quicker rate than expected.  Economists tell us that serious measures need to take place to keep the global economy growing.  Politicians tell us that there are enemies who want to destroy us all around the world.  There are enough nuclear weapons in the world to destroy our planet many times over.  Those who have reason to promote fear keep reminding us that there is the potential of more governments gaining access to nuclear weapons.  I find it scary enough that our government has nuclear weapons.

On a more personal level, growing older itself can be a source of concern.  What happens if we don’t have enough money to live on when we retire?  How about health care?  Will we be able to keep health insurance and get the kind of medical care we need? So many people in our culture are getting older.  For those of us in same-sex relationships we have the added worry of a lack of social and legal protections to make sure that we will be able to take care of one another as our life partnerships reach the golden years.  With the increase of anti-gay laws being passed over the past decade, who knows whether we will even be able to enjoy the same rights we currently have. 

The future is indeed a frightening place.  The scripture lessons for the fourth Sunday of Advent show us that anxiety is not a new thing.  The reading from Isaiah reminds us that in spite of enemies all around, God promises a miraculous sign; a young woman will be with child and the child we be “God with us.”  There may be enemies, but if God is for us, who can possibly be against us?  The future may be frightening, but the presence of God brings courage to face every obstacle.  We will not be abandoned without a savior.  God will always be with us, going through the struggle, so that we will be able to face what the future holds.

The reading from Romans reminds us that the events of history are all tied together.  As Christians, we are closely connected to the history of the Jews.  The promise of a savior is found in the ancient texts of the descendents of Abraham and comes true for us in the person of Jesus of Nazareth born in Bethlehem. The New Testament is closely tied together with Hebrew Scripture, which we consider to be the Old Testament.  The promises of the ancient texts give us hope that our future is in safe hands because of the presence of God in our lives.

The Gospel of Matthew tells the story of a young woman named Mary.  She is with child, even though she is only engaged to be married.  Mary had many reasons to be afraid.  Her society would not have allowed her to survive as a single-parent.  As a matter of fact, the law demanded that Mary be put to death as an adulteress.  I can only begin to imagine the fear she must have felt when she faced her future husband with the news.  Would he call the elders of Nazareth to come, take her to the common area and throw large stones on her until she could breathe no more? 

Matthew tells us that Joseph, her future husband, was a righteous man.  What does it mean to be righteous?  If righteousness is always following the letter of the law Joseph was not righteous at all.  He decided to disobey the law and quietly dismiss her from the marriage.  That way she would not be considered an adulteress.  She may however have had to make her living as a prostitute since women could only own property along with their husband in that culture.  At least she would still be alive. People would probably assume she became pregnant from one of her clients and so her life, and that of the child, would be spared.

In spite of all the reasons to fear, God had plans for Mary and the baby she was bearing.  The Sovereign God appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him it would be OK.  He should go ahead with his plans to marry and raise the child.  This baby would save people from sin.  The child Mary carried was Immanuel.  The child was “God with us.”  The presence of God changed the situation.  It would still be difficult, but salvation would be the result.  Human life would never be the same because of the baby that Joseph decided to name Jesus.

The season of Advent is a time of expectation.  It is the expectation that the presence of God brings salvation into human history.  A poor vulnerable child, born in a manger in an occupied land subject to an Emperor who did not allow the child to be born at home because he wanted to collect takes from the child’s parents, somehow radically allows us to face our fears about tomorrow.  God is with us.  We are not alone.  Struggles will come and go, but God’s grace is sufficient for each and every one of us.  It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks, because God is present in our lives and relationships. 

Nature will take its course.  Laws will be passed and often broken.  Some people will have more money, some will have less.  Enemies will threaten and attack.  God is still with us. God’s love for us and our love for one another will sustain us through anything the future can bring.  True love is always closely connected with its social expressions of mercy and justice.  God is love.  God’s presence means love is present.  Love means we promote mercy and justice.  When a culture is built on these precepts it is truly righteous and the salvation of our lives and souls is the result.  The baby born in Bethlehem is the way God has brought his love to us.  Now, we are challenged to take that love to others.  It is love that truly conquers every enemy. 

Scripture Readings for the 4^th Sunday of Advent:

Isaiah 7:10-16

Romans 1:1-7

Matthew 1:18-25

I wasn’t raised in a particularly religious household.  We didn’t go to church.  We celebrated the cultural Christian holidays in some form, but never attended church services as a family, prayed, or in any way practiced religion.  There was only one exception to this rule; when we visited my maternal grandmother.  She was a very devout Church of God woman and children who stayed at her home were expected to attend church and Sunday School.  It didn’t happen often. 

I can remember a few of those visits to Sunday School.  One of my earliest memories was of a heater at the church.  I believe it was fueled with natural gas and the flames would lick up around some bricks behind treated glass to radiate heat.  It made horrible popping and cracking sounds as it turned off and on.  My attention was so drawn to that little heater because I was convinced it was going to blow up at any moment. It didn’t and I survived to get out of there.

Another of the Sunday School classes at my grandmother’s church I can remember fairly completely. The church was small and they would pull a curtain across the room to divide into classrooms for different age groups.  The children gathered behind a curtain on one side of the pulpit.  We sat on the floor and listened as the teacher pulled out a piece of felt attached to cardboard.  She had colorful paper figures that would attach to the felt as she told stories from the Bible.  That day she read the story of the three young men who had been taken prisoner in Babylon.  The King had commanded them to worship a statue.  Since Christians don’t worship statues the three youths refused.   The king became so angry he had them thrown into a fiery furnace.  The teacher had paper figures of three boys, and some bright flames that she put below them to illustrate the point.  As the story is told, the boys were not even scorched by the flames because an angel of God protected them from harm.  I made it out of there past that space heater without being hurt once again.

December 17 is the date that eastern Orthodox churches celebrate the feast of the Three Young Men as well as Daniel the prophet. Daniel chapter three explains the story I first heard in Sunday School. I later learned that they weren’t Christians, they were Jews. The eastern churches often remember and celebrate saint’s feasts from not only Christian times, but Jewish saints as well. 

Three young men were captured in Jerusalem when conquered by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.  It isn’t unusual in such situations for certain people who are conquered to become the slaves of the conquerors.  The Bible doesn’t provide the entire cultural context.  These three young men were most likely turned into eunuchs by castration.  Eunuchs were often used to guard the harem of the king, but also to provide other services such as accounting, education, and even serve as body guards.  Some were used as catamites and were the sexual objects of the royal court, or sold to be the sex slaves of wealthy land owners.  The three young men from Jerusalem gained significant prominence in Nebuchadnezzar’s court.

Eunuchs are just about the only sexual minority specifically mentioned in the Bible.  Interestingly, the position of Scripture has changed about Eunuchs over time.  They are condemned in Deuteronomy.  They were not allowed to participate in public worship in the Temple.  However, things had changed by the time Isaiah 56 was written.  Isaiah reports God’s blessing on Eunuchs and promises to provide them with alternative families since they are unable to have children.  Perhaps those who believe that God’s Word does not change with the needs of the culture should read the passages a bit more carefully. 

By the time of the Book of Acts, a eunuch from Ethiopia, who may or may not have been castrated, was told that there was no reason he could not be baptized a Christian.  Interestingly, there is tremendous scholarly evidence that the term eunuch was used more to describe a man who should not marry than simply those who had been castrated.  The notion that eunuchs had to be physically castrated is a fairly new idea as most ancient cultures recognized that there were some men who should not marry.  Evidence of this is that Jesus said there were some men who were born eunuchs and that they should not marry a woman.  They certainly weren’t born without genitals.  Christ advised that they should not marry.  Trust me, it is not wise for a person not sexually attracted to someone of the opposite sex to marry someone of the opposite sex.

One of the most amazing things about the three young men from Sunday School fame is that they were at that time outcasts from their own religion, yet they remained faithful to God and would not worship a statue of Nebuchadnezzar.  They had no reason to be faithful to Judaism as a religion, but they still found it within themselves to have faith in the God of Judaism.  They openly admit that they didn’t know that God would keep them from the flames, but they refused to give in to the demands of the King knowing that it would mean they would likely die.

I am often amazed at how organized Christianity can stay in power today.  Religion is a dangerous thing.  Millions of people have been caused harm because of religion.  How can Christianity survive?  Thankfully, it is not one organized political body, but divided into various denominations and sub-groups. I can only imagine the terror that the church could cause if it were completely united in structure and wealth.  There is balance in allowing folks with different ideas to form different communions and congregations. That way imposing one person or group’s will on another is more limited.  If the groups could only stop fighting one another and agree to promote justice, mercy and humility the human race would be able to make great strides.

Many people today find themselves in the position of not agreeing with the religious bodies that they have been affiliated with.  Often folks can move to another group and find a place to commune with God in peace.  However, that is not always possible all of the time.  Sometimes a group that fits for a while no longer fits because personalities and attitudes change in a way that is less accepting of folks who may be different.  One gay man told me many years ago that he did not leave the church, his church left him.  He is still waiting for the church to come back.

Until the church comes back, we can follow the example of the three young men who are remembered in the Orthodox calendar today.  In spite of the fact that our religion has rejected us, we can have faith in the fact that God does not reject us.  As much as is within us, may we be able to commune spiritually with the God who loves us, and be faithful to show his love through justice, mercy, and humility regardless of whether the priests will allow us in the Temple, or give us a place at the table.

John always knew he was different.  His family told him rather strange stories about the way he came into the world.  His parents were elderly members of the priestly clan of Israel and they lived most of their lives without having a child.  In those days, John’s mother Elizabeth would have faced considerable prejudice because not having a child was always blamed on the woman, and was considered a curse from God.

However, God has a way of turning things around.  John may have heard the stories of how the angel Gabriel appeared to his father in the temple and announced that he and Elizabeth would have a child.  This would be no ordinary child, but one who had a special purpose from birth.  The entire community knew this story because something happened to make the matter public.  John’s father, Zacharias, doubted what Gabriel told him.  Because of this doubt, Zacharias was unable to speak until the child was born.  The visit of the angel could not be kept secret.

John was to be the forerunner of the Christ.  The plan for his life was to be the one who announced the coming of the domain of God and the Savior of the world.  John lived with these expectations all his life.  He could have been a priest in the Temple of God, but it is likely that his parents died while John was young and that he was taken in by the Essene community instead.  This was a group of monastic-like separatists who lived very simple lives and continually prayed and looked for the coming of the Messiah.

Much of John’s strange character may have resulted from the time he spent with the Essenes.  He wore rugged clothing made from camel’s hair.  He ate locusts and wild honey.  He lived under a vow of poverty and had no personal property or wealth.  This was a very different life from that of the priestly class.  John began his ministry by proclaiming that all Israel must repent of sin in order to prepare for the coming of the domain of God.  He demanded that all be baptized in the Jordan River as a spiritual cleansing from sin and begin a new life committed to God.

John was very popular.  Great numbers of people traveled from the cities of Jericho and Jerusalem to hear John preach and to be baptized by John in the river.  Since John did not claim to be the messiah himself, he didn’t gain the attention of the political leaders right away.  Most of the religious leaders of the day thought they were very righteous already since they obeyed the law, so they ignored John for the most part.   The common people however had a great sense of anticipation of the coming messiah and they found great hope in the preaching of John.

When John the Baptist was preaching one day, Jesus, his cousin, came to be baptized in the river.  The Gospels record that God proclaimed Jesus to be his Son at baptism and John told his disciples that Jesus was truly the messiah.  The disciples of John believed that Jesus was the messiah, and some became disciples of Jesus.  John continued to confront what he believed to be sin and openly confronted King Herod Antipas for his adultery.  John would not go away unless the king repent and John was sent to prison to keep him quiet. 

It is at this point that our Gospel reading for this Sunday finds its setting.  John spent about ten months in prison.  Prison was not what he envisioned for his life.  He expected to herald a time of great peace and prosperity on earth.  He expected the messiah to radically change the world as he knew it; and he probably thought that change would happen in his lifetime.  John knew he had played his part in the majestic drama of human salvation, but now he sat in prison. He had followed the plan of God faithfully, yet he was in jail as a result.

It is easy for most of us to understand why John would begin to have some doubts.  Matthew records that John sent one of his disciples who had visited him in jail to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” (Matthew 11:3)  If I were John, what I would really be saying was, “OK, I’ve done my part, when are you going to do yours?”  John definitely doubted.  The entire purpose of his life was in question.  He thought he had been called to perform his ministry and he was faithful.  Instead of his preaching coming true the way he thought it would, he sat in a moldy prison cell.  I would have lapsed into depression and doubt fairly quickly.

Jesus’ response was to quote from a portion Isaiah 35; Tell John the lame walk, the blind see, the deaf hear, the sick are healed.  Jesus talked about those portions that were being openly reported by the crowds about himself.  He didn’t mention those things that would take time to work out in the natural world.  The remainder of the chapter in Isaiah speaks of messianic peace, which is a spiritual reality in my opinion, but yet to be a reality in the natural world of linear time.  (James 5) John’s life had not been wasted.  He was indeed the first messenger of a new domain that would change the face of the world over the centuries.  Recognizing this, Jesus proclaimed that among those born of women; no one is greater than John the Baptist.

Jesus changed the conversation to say that all are welcome in the domain of God.  He proclaimed a means of inner strength and peace.  “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28, 29)  Millions have heard this message and responded to call upon the one who promises rest for our souls.

John was certainly a person of faith.  He responded to the call of God by dedicating his entire life to fulfilling God’s purpose.  Yet, he also had doubts.  He could not understand God’s entire plan. I find myself doubting at times.  I think doubts cause us to think through our faith and our vocations to make sure we continue on the path God has for us.  I have often wanted to blame others for taking advantage of my zeal for financial gain.  I have often wished I had done some things differently with my life.  Yet, in spite of my doubts, I think God still has a place for me.  Rejection by human beings, and particularly political and religious leaders, does not equate with rejection by God.   Jesus still says “Come to me”

Scripture Readings for the Third Sunday of Advent December 16,2007

Isaiah 35:1-10

James 5:7-10

Matthew 11:2-11

It was 36 degrees Fahrenheit when I left the house this morning.  I wrapped my self in my trusty wool p coat and out I went.  I drove through the campus of Duke University and it was crowded.  When I stopped at the light I gazed at the crowd.  Many folks, both young and old were wrapped at least as warmly as I.  Others seemed to be dressed exactly the opposite.   Many were in short sleeve shirts and short pants.  At the next light I noticed much the same thing and also that the ones not wearing a coat did not seem to be shivering, moving, rubbing their limbs, or showing any sign of being cold. 

I’m sure this isn’t a strange phenomenon for North Carolina.  The weather can shift quickly this time of year and it is easy to be caught off-guard regarding appropriate outerwear.  However, I think this observation also points to the great diversity of humanity.  For what ever reason, one person can be completely comfortable in an environment that another person finds very difficult.  Each of us is unique. Whether physical, emotional, cognitive, social, or cultural, God has created a broad range of people to reflect the image of deity.

This second Sunday of Advent includes readings from Isaiah that describe a wonderful time when creatures who have been opposed to one another rest together in peace; wolves with lambs, leopard with goats and cows and bears grazing while their young sleep together.  It is a promise of peaceful bliss.   

The epistle to the Romans reminds us of the hope we have in Christ.  The writer did not encourage believers to believe or do exactly the same thing.  There is no command in Scripture that believers are to be correct.  But we are encouraged to “live in harmony with one another” (Romans 4:5).  Harmony demands that we are different.  The word brings to mind many diverse voices rising together to make one sweet song. 

Advent is the time of promise.  It is the promise of Christmas, that God becomes “Immanuel” or God with Us.  It is the promise that Christ brings a new domain.  Not a domain of spears, swords or economic power, but a domain of love and sacrifice bringing peace where there was no peace before. 

Our world is not a very peaceful place however.  Like Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote, “There is no peace on earth…for hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, goodwill to men.”  There continues to be wars and fighting.  Nations continue to struggle for dominance, some for their own land and people, others to dominate another, and still others, to have dominance in the world economic marketplace.  As industry and technology have improved the human condition, we have also increased the complexities of our reasons to fight and make war.

Not only is it difficult to find peace among the nations of the world.  Families are torn apart by strife over every conceivable disagreement.  The one holy catholic church is not a unified universal church, but a place of division, fighting, and often chaos.  The spiritual union that draws believers together still exists, but yet we cannot agree to disagree on issues as simple as how to spend our money, where the denomination headquarters should be built, or which missions program deserves more attention. 

The majority of the church cannot even agree on whether God’s grace extends to the whole world or not.  Is salvation for everyone or only a few?  Most groups would say that salvation belongs to them, but can always find someone else who needs to be excluded.  At one time it was the color of one’s skin that brought about division.  At various times in history it has been language, social norms, or economic status that has kept some people from being included in one congregation of saints or another.  Often today the battle seems to be about whom one is attracted to.  Only certain definitions of family are allowed in the church.  People who have been divorced, unwed mothers, children born from unwed parents, gay, lesbian bisexual and transgendered individuals often remain on the fringe if they are allowed to participate at all. 

I wonder what God thinks of the arrogance of those who claim to speak for deity yet exclude others from God’s plan.  How can leaders say they love God, yet fail to love their sister or brother?  Somehow the claim to love, while at the same time condemning those who are supposed to be loved, rings hollow and hypocritical.

The passage from Matthew tells the story of John the Baptist proclaiming Christ as one who baptizes with the Spirit.  May we be so immersed in the Holy Spirit that we live in harmony with one another regardless of our differences.  There are so many wonderful things that unite us.  There are so many reasons that the church should unite to change the world such as violence, hunger and disease. I hope the church can be so filled with the Holy Spirit that we look beyond those things that divide and find the ability to love and respect one another enough to sing in harmony of the Grace of God. 

Readings for the Second Sunday of Advent, December 9, 2007

Isaiah 11:1-10

Romans 15:4-13

Matthew 3:1-12

A friend is having trouble dealing with the issue of Santa Claus with her eleven year old daughter.  She still reports she believes in Santa and mom still provides her with gifts each year labeled from Santa Claus.  She doesn’t want to admit to her daughter that she has misled her all her life and that there is no Santa.

I suggested one way of dealing with the problem might be for her to buy a gift with her daughter and together give it anonymously from Saint Nicholas.  Perhaps this will open an opportunity to address where the idea of anonymous gift giving comes from. The tradition of many European and eastern countries is to give gifts from Saint Nicholas on December 6, the feast day commemorating the saint.  It is a day that is particularly enjoyable for children.  In western culture, we often give anonymous gifts at Christmas instead. 

Nicholas lived in what is now eastern Turkey and was famous for his generosity; there are many stories about how the man who became Bishop of Myra in the fourth century was generous and protected children.  One that seems to be consistent is that he became aware of three young girls who were so poor that their father could not afford a dowry.  At that time they would not be able to get married unless a dowry was given to their husbands.  It was not uncommon for women in this situation to become prostitutes to make a living if money for a dowry was not available.

Nicholas is said to have provided three bags of gold to the family anonymously by throwing them through the window at night.  This gold was used as dowries and the women were saved from prostitution.  Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate the feats of Saint Nicholas with a grand liturgy and distribute gold coins to those in attendance.  The coins today are usually chocolate coins covered with gold foil, but the reminder of Nicholas’ generosity is still relevant.  Nicholas is also known to have rescued drowning sailors.  Other names for Nicholas are Nikolaus in Germany and Sinterklaas in the Netherlands and Flanders.

Histories of Nicholas life agree that he was imprisoned for his faith and participated in the church council at Nicea where he defended the doctrine of the trinity.  He is also thought to have been released from prison by Emperor Constantine and later confronted the territorial governor who had taken bribes to condemn three innocent men to death.  The lives of the men were spared.

Scripture readings for services on the feast of Saint Nicholas remind us to remember the good works of those who have gone before and educate our children in the good examples of our predecessors in order to give God glory.  John reminds us that God is love and that we cannot truly love God without loving those around us.  Mark provides the example of Jesus blessing the children and that we must all receive the domain of God as a little child.

Traditions have developed over the centuries that have blended elements of many cultures together.  Santa Claus is likely derived from Saint Nicholas.  Nicholas provides us with an example of one who followed Christ by giving to others and protecting those who cannot protect themselves.  Those who live on the fringes of our culture today, such as those who suffer from poverty, disease, or prejudice need more of us to be like Saint Nicholas and give generously in defense of those who cannot defend themselves.

Scripture Readings for the feast of Saint Nicholas, December 6, 2008

Psalm 78:3-7

1 John 4:7-14

Mark 10:13-16