Advent Project Devotional: Day 9

Day Nine

Rev. Cindy Johnson

Pastor

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church

Carroll, Iowa

Psalm 72.1-7, 18-19

Isaiah 30.19-26

Acts 13.16-25

May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor. - Psalm 72:4

Today is Sinterklaas Day! If you are from the low countries of the Netherlands and Belgium you know that this is the day that good boys and girls find a gift and candy in their shoes. On Sinterklaas eve, children place their shoes by the door and go to sleep with dreams of good things coming in their shoes. The next morning would be the fun of running to check your shoes and see what had been left there.

Sinterklaas Day, in honor of St. Nicholas, is a fun day that commemorates a serious saint. Today is the feast day of St. Nicholas who is said to have died on this date in 343. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, was known for his generosity towards the poor. The legend of St. Nicholas begins with his giving three poor young women a sack of money to ensure their dowry so they could marry. He gave the sacks of money secretly during the night.

Sinterklaas – a contraction of Sint Nikolaas in the Netherlands, is the beginning of the American Santa Claus tradition. It is quite easy to be distracted by the clamor of commercial Christmas and we may wish to blame Santa, but in reality we can enjoy the thought of giving that lurks behind the Santa Claus figure while actually practicing the Christian action of giving as St. Nicholas did. Nicholas understood the words of Jesus to take care of the “least of these.” Nicholas understood that God defends and delivers the poor and needy and crushes the ones who oppress the less fortunate.

During Advent, we can think about Nicholas being the patron saint of children and enjoy the wonder of having a child-like heart. We can enter into the joy of God’s lavish love for us poured out in Jesus Christ. 

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Gracious Lord, we thank you for saints who understand your command to help the needy. In this time of Advent, may we help those who are needy and care for them as St. Nicholas did. In the name of Jesus, amen.