An Advent Story: The Courage of Nicholas

Advent is crowded with characters...

...from the visionary Hebrew prophets to the announcing Gabriel, brave Mary, loyal Joseph, expectant Elizabeth, silenced Zachariah, and wild John the Baptist. We will follow them to the stable, where startled shepherds, seeking magi and rejoicing angels complete the scene -- and welcome, at last, the long expected One: the infant Jesus, God Incarnate. This Advent, we are encouraged along by other guides, as well: brothers and sisters from across the centuries who have traced the path back to Bethlehem. As we tell their stories each week, may these Saints of the Season impart the gifts of Advent: courage, hope, love and joy.

Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, preached the Gospel simply, wanting even the poorest in his care to know the Good News of Christ's coming. For the sake of these vulnerable ones, Nicholas stood up to all who abused their power and position, and pursued justice for his people in tangible ways.  

Though persecuted and imprisoned, Nicholas distributed his own  inheritance to those in need, secured grain in time of famine, saved the lives of three men wrongly condemned, and secured lower taxes for the ordinary citizens of  Myra.  To spare young impoverished women from lives of sexual slavery, Nicholas secretly provided gold for their marriage dowries.

Nicholas shows us how to live with courage and creativity, committed to that Jesus who came to earth "to live and die as one of us."