Feast day of St Nicholas

Icon of St Nicholas the Wonderworker

Today is the feast day of St Nicholas. Although it was a week day I was able to travel to celebrate the feast day  with the Divine Liturgy with my Orthodox church family.   As I stood there in the church meditating on ordinary and the miraculous I appreciated the true meaning of community.  As  the priest reminded us, we are already miraculous and special because we are Human and God chose to take on Human form. When we meet in the Church and share  in the gifts of Christ, we are communing with one another is a deeply profound way. It is beyond a mere get together, it is like a prequel of heaven itself.

As an unexpected treat after Liturgy we were all invited to listen to the children sing and share in food. With musical accompaniment  The children  beautifully sang two songs.

The first was written by Grainne Archer titled, "St. Nicholas  Children's song".

To the Children it will be no surprise
that Parents sometimes can be unwise:
A father, driven by poverty
To sell his daughters, was soon set free
by St. Nicholas, St Nicholas,
Who gave his earthly riches away
St. Nicholas, St. Nicholas,
He saved his neighbour and points to Mary
Who gave Mankind Jesus Christ on Christmas Day.

Although I know it's a foolish goal
To have the whole world and then lose my soul,
If I inherited lots of  wealth
Perhaps I'd spend it all on myself
But St. Nicholas, St. Nicholas,
He gave all his earthly riches away,
St. Nicholas, St. Nicholas,
He saved his people and points to Jesus who  gave Himself to Mankind
On Christmas Day.
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The second was  Hymn to St Nicholas, the words written by Charles William Polm and was put to a  Traditional Dutch melody

St. Nicholas lived in a land far away;
A warm-hearted Bishop, the people did say.
While still a young person his parents both died;
His fortune he shared  with the poor far and wide.

The Bishop of Myra he soon was proclaimed;
For prayer, Holy life and good works he was famed.
The good friend of children, he cared for their need;
The sick and imprisoned he aided and freed.

 He gave three young women a dowry of gold,
To help them find  husbands to have and to hold.
Through his life shone Christ's life and thus we proclaim:
Dear Nicholas, help us who honour your name.

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Russian icon depicting St Nicholas with scenes from his life. Late 1400s or early 1500s. National Museum, Stockholm.

Thank you to the Parish of St Nicholas the Wonderworker for making us feel so welcomed on their Patronal feast day.