Even though it is “just” a minor memorial on the official Roman Liturgical Calendar, I can’t help but reflect on Saint Nicholas today. Part of the reason comes down to the last sentence of our first reading brought the jolly ole fellow to mind. The last sentence refers to “those who err in spirit”, “acquiring understanding”, and “receiving instruction”.
It was at the First Council of Nicaea where, among other things, the heresy of Arianism was discussed. Some estimates suggest 90% of Christians at the time the Council was convened had fallen for the Arian heresy.
A priest named Arius, was at the Council of Nicaea to defend his teaching against the Church. Arius taught that God the Son was neither coeternal with the Father nor equal to the Father; essentially denying the divinity of Jesus Christ.
But Nicholas (the Bishop of Myra) couldn’t bear the claims of Arius. According to the legends at least, Nicholas stood up, walked over to Arius, and began to speak to him and over him. But, Arius would not yield. In fact, Arius raised his voice all the more in defiance to the good bishop. In response, Nicholas raised his hand and slapped Arius.
Shortly thereafter, the Nicene Creed was authored to infallibly declare the Son is consubstantial with the Father. Meaning that, among other things, this means the Son truly is coeternal with the Father and equal to the Father in every way. Thus, debunking the heresy of Arianism.
If you have ever felt like slapping a heretic, happy feast day to you.
But, in all seriousness, the focus of our readings is of course on the theme of Advent. The readings describe the restoration and renewal of the coming Kingdom of God. A Kingdom where darkness is conquered by hope, peace, joy, and love. The readings encourage us to spiritually enter into that sense of waiting…..waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ to enlighten the dark areas in our lives and the world around us.
I believe Saint Nicholas is one of those saints that in a special way encapsulate this Advent spirit. He was a man known to bring hope to those in despair, peace to those troubled, joy to those in sorrow, and love to those who felt alone. He was a man that stood for mercy and justice. He was a man who was the light of Christ to those in darkness, leading them into the Sacramental life of the Church, which of course is the Kingdom of God.
The most famous story about Saint Nicholas involves the help he provided to a poor man with three daughters. The man was so poor that he couldn't afford a dowry for any one of his daughters. In those days, that meant the daughters would have remained unmarried and most likely forced into prostitution.
Nicholas interceded. He secretly donated three purses of gold, one for each of the three daughters. In some versions of the story, he dropped the purses down the chimney, where of course they landed in the stockings of the daughters.
Perhaps that is our spiritual invitation for this Advent season. An invitation to be a Saint Nicholas in a world that seems to only know Santa Claus. To be a visible contrast of charity over (among other things) consumerism and individualism. To search out those in our lives that are living in the darkness of a world without Christ. A darkness void of hope, void of peace, void of joy, and void of love. To empathize with them, to walk with them, and to be the light of Christ for them. To show them how the Lord is the light and salvation of your life. To show them what true reverence for the Holy One of Jacob looks like. And, to help them experience the true awe of the God of Israel; particularly through, with, and in the Eucharist.
To many of us, this can seem like a daunting, if not impossible Advent challenge. Be not afraid. It will be done according to our faith.
Thanks be to God.
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