Rev. Reed Lee Pedersen's
Do you ever wonder why we have stockings on Christmas Day? When I grew up I was told Santa Claus would not only put presents under the tree, but he was also the one filling my stockings that night with more candy than anyone needed. Of course, that candy never made it to January. It was not until I began dating my wife that I learned of something called St. Nicholas Day. St. Nicholas (270-343 A.D.) was a bishop in the early Christian Church. Legend has it that St. Nicholas came across a good man who had been squandered out of his money. He worried because he had no money to pay a dowry for his three daughters. They would not be wed, but instead they would have to become prostitutes. Nicholas was a very wealthy man, so three nights in a row he threw a bag of coins to help the man pay his daughter’s dowries. On the final night they caught Nicholas in the act and he ordered them to not tell anyone for he was not doing it for recognition. To celebrate such a man Western Christianity sprung a custom that took place on St. Nicholas’s feast day, December 6th (also my wife’s birthday!!!!). In the United States, this commonly meant putting a shoe outside one’s bedroom the night before in hopes that a few coins would be in it the next day. This later morphed into hanging a sock which would then be filled with sweets. Thanks to English and Scandinavian influence, St. Nicholas eventually became more known as Santa Claus. I think St. Nicholas teaches us a wonderful lesson in giving. Many times during this time of year we think about what we might buy others and what others might buy for us. Perhaps good ole St. Nick can inspire us to give to charity this Christmas season. Maybe he can inspire you to give not in a boastful or selfish way, but rather with a heart towards those in need. Maybe instead of that shirt you had in mind for that special someone; you give to charity in their name? “The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 Let us be givers this Christmas season and keep spreading that Christmas cheer! Points to Ponder:
1 Comment
Sally Rehn
12/11/2018 07:35:45 pm
Grow ministry in Cambridge is SO appreciative of any gifts. I'll go there and the lobby is full and the next time empty, they've given everything away. Maybe we could have Janet Wolf speak sometime, I know Deanna mentioned their needs in the Spire once but sometimes a speaker gets more results!
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AuthorPastor Reed is a first call pastor at Augustana Lutheran Church in Andover, Illinois. Archives
July 2019
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