St. Nicholas is the patron saint of those who need to be rescued and redeemed.
Santa Claus ... the true story ... was born during the third century in the village of Patara. The area was Greek at the time. Today it is the southern coast of Turkey. Raised by wealthy parents, but orphaned young, Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick and the suffering.
Nicholas was made a bishop in the church at a young age. He was known for his spirit of generosity for those in need. His heart for children and his concern for sailors and ships was common knowledge . He understood the reality that poor orphans ended up in slavery, including prostitution.
One of the most retold stories of his compassion toward the poor, was for a father with three daughters. He did not have the resources to provide a proper dowry for his three girls. They were of marrying age, but unwanted without something of value to bring to the marriage. The man was heartbroken and feared for his daughter's destiny. They would be sold into slavery... and possibly prostitution. Not by choice, but by circumstance. Without money or a husband, his death would leave them unprotected.
The story says that Nicholas became aware of this father, his daughters and her troubles. The tale has been retold over the centuries with slight variations. Some say Nicholas threw bags or balls of gold into an open window landing in shoes or stockings left by the fireplace to dry. Traditionally, oranges have represented balls of gold. We still hang stockings by the fire keeping the tradition. The three daughters were rescued by his gift of gold for a dowery.
On giving Tuesday in Dressember, the legend of St. Nicholas connects so beautifully. If you look at the list of people to whom he is considered the patron saint... it is those that even society sees as lost souls who need protection and redemption. It is quite a list. Remember, children were very much second class citizens of the day. And women were often left with only their bodies to trade to feed themselves and their children. Have we really come that far.
An estimated 45.8 million slaves exist today. Human trafficking is a $150 billion dollar industry. 5.5 million children are forced into slavery. 17,500 people are trafficked and traded in the United States alone, annually. The average price of a human life? $90
Again... it think of Rahab (Joshua 2). The prostitute who helped the Israelite spies, who was redeemed and became a great-grandmother of King David, son of Jesse.She is boldly listed in the genealogy of Jesus.
"Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse," -Matthew 1:5
Rahab rescued the spies and they rescued her. Not quite that final scene from "Pretty Woman" but then again... not that far off.
Nicholas used his wealth to give and lessen the burden of those hurting and at risk.
James 1:27 has a powerful verse:
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
We can argue religion, doctrine and theology... but loving God with our whole hearts means seeking out the hurting, broken and lost for rescue and redemption. Nicholas lived out what he believed. He is worth remembering. Jesus died that all who call on him, might be saved, rescued and restored. No longer orphans and widows... but sons and daughters of the King.
Remembering the good St. Nicholas... fighting modern day slavery with Dressember... kneeling at the manger and at the cross... it is the opportunity and the beauty of this day.
https://dressember.funraise.org/fundraiser/valerie-smith
Today, I am grateful for St. Nicholas... and Dressember.
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