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Deeds of Kindness

I am writing this on December 6, the Feast Day of St. Nicholas, 4th century bishop of Myrna.

"For All the Saints" tells us that Myrna was a small town in what now is known as Turkey, and that we remember St. Nicholas because of the stories which have given him “a perpetual name for deeds of kindness on land and sea.”  

"For All the Saints" shares two legends around the life of Nicholas.

The most famous legend centers around three sisters, whose family was poor.

In that day for a young woman to marry, she required a dowery. There was no way for the poor family to provide such a large sum of money, and the three young ladies were sure they would never marry. Nicholas, hearing of their plight, is said to have placed three bags of gold on their doorstep, thus providing them with doweries for marriage.  

The second legend tells of a company of seafarers caught in a storm off the coast of Asia Minor.

It is said that the sailors, in fear of being swamped by the storm, and knowing of the tradition of Nicholas, called out his name. Legend tells us that Nicholas appeared in the rigging of the ship and calmed the storm.  

In our third parish, an annual Children’s Day was held on the day closest to December 6th. 

It was the parish custom that St. Nicholas would visit the children. He would share the legend of the three bags of gold he had left on the doorstep of that poor family, so many years before. Then, each child would receive a small bag of ‘gold’ coins. They were always a hit.  The gold foil soon fell away to reveal chocolate hidden beneath the gold!

Each week, since Remembrance Day, our communities shine brighter with the sparkling colored lights of Christmas.  The lights help us, as Christians, to focus on the upcoming, joyous season of  Yuletide. The lights bring joy into our hearts, and herald the opportunity to bring hope and joy to others, through acts of charity.  

Here, at St. John’s, Duncan, we have the Annual Angel Tree in place. Each Christmas season, I am encouraged, as “angels” bless the tree with gifts for the children of the wider community.  

And, this year, the parish has added a second charity--a “Reverse Advent Calendar.”

Parishioners have volunteered to fill grocery boxes over the traditional days of Advent. Following Christmas, these boxes will be forwarded to local families needing to make ends meet. (That period between "December and January Government Assistance" is a very, long month.)

Charity comes in various forms, some simpler than others.

One of my favorite stories of charity is of an elderly gentleman, wrapped in a Great Coat, sitting alone on park bench, on a frigid winter day.

A passerby noticed the man but kept walking.  Then he turned, and came back saying to the gentleman, “Can I help you?” The response from the gentleman was, “Thank you. You already have.”  

The simple act of recognizing someone can mean so much.  

Blessings as we continue our walk to Christmas,
Archdeacon Brian+