Christmas Morning Reflections
At our Christmas morning service, we reflected on the beautiful words of the classic carol:
“Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing.O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.”O Come, All Ye Faithful – John F. Wade, circa 1743
These words invite us to come and adore Jesus, the Word of the Father, who came to us in flesh. They remind us of the true heart of Christmas: worship and gratitude for God’s ultimate gift of love.
The Real Story of St. Nicholas
As we celebrate this season, we also looked at the story of St. Nicholas, the man behind the beloved figure of Santa Claus.
St. Nicholas was a real person—a Greek Bishop who lived in the 3rd century and passed away in AD 343. His life was marked by faith, courage, and generosity:
A Devoted Follower of Christ: Nicholas was passionate about Jesus and played a significant role in shaping the early church, even contributing to the crafting of the Nicene Creed, a foundational statement of Christian faith.
Persecuted for His Faith: He endured torture and imprisonment because of his unwavering commitment to Christ.
A Legacy of Kindness: Known for his acts of secret gift-giving, Nicholas’s generosity inspired the legend of “Saint Nick” and eventually evolved into the folklore of Santa Claus.
The Spirit of Giving
St. Nicholas gave gifts to reflect God’s love, and this tradition has carried forward to our modern-day practice of giving gifts at Christmas. These gifts are tokens of the affection and generosity we’ve received from God, now shared with others.
His kindness and care, especially toward children, earned him the title of the patron saint of children. His life reminds us that our celebrations should be rooted in:
Bowing the Knee to Christ: Like St. Nicholas, we are called to center our hearts on Jesus, the reason for this season.
Kindness and Generosity: His life exemplifies how acts of love and giving can reflect the heart of God.
Our Christmas Challenge
This Christmas, let us follow the example of St. Nicholas:
Adore Christ: Take time to worship and reflect on the wonder of God’s gift to us in Jesus.
Give Generously: Whether through gifts, time, or kindness, let our actions mirror the love we’ve received from God.
Show Kindness: Especially to those who need it most.
As we celebrate Christmas, may we remember the profound generosity of God and share His love with those around us.
Merry Christmas! 🎄❤️
