We bless you from the house of the Lord

We bless you from the house of the Lord. 

For many children, last week was a special day.   On the eve of the feast of St. Nicholas, they put their shoes outside their bedroom door before they go to bed, and in the morning they find treats inside them.   St. Nick has made a visit!

The real St. Nicholas was born in 270 of wealthy parents who died in an epidemic while he was young.   Raised by an uncle who was a monk, Nicholas was eventually ordained a priest.   He spent years as a pilgrim in the Holy Land, and when he returned, he was consecrated the bishop of Myra, a city in southwestern Turkey.   A bold defender of the divinity of Christ during the Council of Nicaea, Nicholas died on December 6, 343.

Countless stories have come down through the centuries of Nicholas’ remarkable generosity.   According to one famous story, Nicholas helped a poor man who had no money for a dowry for his three daughters.   Without a dowry, they would remain unmarried and possibly end up having to support themselves as prostitutes.   So Nicholas threw a bag of gold into the man’s window one night, and did it again as each of the other two daughters came of age. (Thus began the tradition of St. Nick secretly giving children gifts.)

How can we be a blessing to other people as St. Nicholas was?   By being as generous as we can.   By imitating Nicholas’ habit of giving ourselves to other people through acts of love, compassion, and kindness.   Every day, God gives us opportunities to bless people by giving of ourselves, just as he does.   Every day, he invites us to share in the joy he has in pouring himself out for his children.

God has been generous to you in so many ways.   Today, in response to that generosity, ask God to open your eyes to the needs around you.   Ask him to show you too how deeply he has blessed you.   Then let your love and gratitude for these blessings flow out of you to help lift up the distressed, the poor, the lost, and the needy.   As you become a blessing to others, you will be blessed as well!

Word Among Us