AN ADVENT CELEBRATION WITH ST NICHOLAS
[2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT]
[TOY SERVICE]
Welcome
Hymn
Greeting
In the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
[EITHER
Boy Bishop:
I greet you all.
Today we give thanks for St Nicholas and rejoice
that in Christ's name he spoke out fearlessly against oppression,
did many acts of kindness and proclaimed God's justice.
OR
St Nicholas knocks on the door of the church with his crozier:
St Nicholas: Peace be with you
All: And also with you
St Nicholas: Happy St Nicholastide!
Fanfare, as St Nicholas enters with his helpers]
Lighting of the Advent Candles
Boy Bishop OR St Nicholas:
We light the first candle to remind us of Jesus’ ancestors –
the fathers of our faith .
(The first candle is lit)
We light the second candle to remind us of the prophets,
who foretold Jesus’ birth.
(The second candle is lit)
CANDLE SONG (to the tune of Frere Jacques) (x2)
Advent candles, Advent candles,
burning bright, burning bright,
lighting up our darkness, lighting up our darkness,
with God’s light, with God’s light.
[Prayers of Preparation
Boy Bishop OR St Nicholas:
Lord Jesus, in this dark time of the year
we are reminded of our need for light.
Prepare our hearts to hold more love,
so that the world’s darkness may grow less
and the light of love shine brighter.
All: Amen.
Almighty God,
We await your coming; we long to meet you.
Fill us with your Holy Spirit.
Lift up our hearts to worship you
and kindle in us the fire of your love;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.]
Prayers of Penitence
When the Lord comes, he will bring to light the things now hidden
in darkness, and will disclose the purposes of the heart.
Therefore in the light of Christ let us confess our sins.
Confession
In a dark and disfigured world
we have not held out the light of life:
Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.
In a hungry and despairing world
we have failed to share our bread:
Christ, have mercy.
All: Christ, have mercy.
In a cold and loveless world
we have kept the love of God to ourselves:
Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Absolution
May the God of love
bring you/us back to himself,
forgive you your/us our sins,
and assure you/us of his eternal love
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Collect
Almighty Father, lover of souls,
who chose your servant Nicholas to be a bishop in the Church,
that he might give freely out of the treasures of your grace:
make us mindful of the needs of others
and, as we have received, so teach us also to give;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Hymn
Gospel Reading : Mark 10.13-16
Drama: The Story of the Three Dowries
Sermon/Talk [by Boy Bishop or St Nicholas]
Hymn
Affirmation of Faith
Boy Bishop OR St Nicholas: Let us declare our faith in God.
All: We believe in God the Father,
from whom every family
in heaven and on earth is named.
We believe in God the Son,
who lives in our hearts through faith,
and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
who strengthens us
with power from on high.
We believe in one God;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Prayers of intercession
The Spirit of the Lord was upon him.
All: To bring good news to the poor and to heal the brokenhearted.
All-powerful God,
you made St. Nicholas abishopand leader of the church
to inspire your people with his teaching and example.
May we give fitting honour to his memory
and always have the assistance of his prayers.
The Spirit of the Lord was upon him.
All: To bring good news to the poor and to heal the brokenhearted.
As Nicholas reached out to the poor and needy,
may we extend the hand of Christian charity
wherever it is needed. Use us as instruments of your love
to a world in need of that love.
The Spirit of the Lord was upon him.
All: To bring good news to the poor and to heal the brokenhearted.
In this holy season of Advent, let the light of the Christ Child
so shine in our hearts that we are filled with the glory of the Lord.
Make our worship truly a time of hope, peace, joy and love.
The Spirit of the Lord was upon him.
All: To bring good news to the poor and to heal the brokenhearted.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
All: Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Collection of Toys and Gifts
Blessing of the toys
Lord Jesus,
may we remember with thankful hearts
the love that comes with each present we open
and each gift we give to others.
We also thank you for the amazing love you have for each of us,
and we thank you for the many gifts that you give us.
May these gifts be blessed
in the name of the Father, and the Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen.
[Blessing of the Children
Jesus said: ‘Let the little children come to me’. And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them and blessed them.
We prepare to welcome the Lord who once came as a child.
Let us now ask God’s blessing on these children
and on all in the family of faith.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.
In Baptism you have claimed us as your daughters and sons.
We thank you for giving us the joy and care of children.
Help them to grow up to know you, to love you and to serve you.
We thank you for the blessing of mothers and fathers in the faith
who have helped us to know your strong protection
and tender love.
Today we give thanks also for your servant Nicholas,
who was faithful in the care and nurture of your family.
As Jesus took children in his arms and blessed them,
so now embrace these children with your blessing.
Bring us all at last to the new heaven and new earth
in which we will rejoice for ever;
through Jesus Christ, your Child, our Lord.
All: Amen]
[Blessing of oranges or clementines
Loving God,
you ask us to show kindness and care to everyone.
Thank you for good Saint Nicholas
who shows us how to give gifts and care to others,
especially children.
Bless these oranges/clementines
that they may remind us of Saint Nicholas' gifts to people in need.
Help us to love and care, like Saint Nicholas, for those who need help
and for children everywhere.
All: Amen]
[Notices and] Hymn
Blessing
God give you grace to follow his saints
in faith and hope and love;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
All: Amen
Boy Bishop OR St Nicholas:
Our Lord says, ‘I am coming soon’.
All Amen. Come Lord Jesus.
Boy Bishop OR St Nicholas:
May the Lord, when he comes,
find us watching and waiting.
All Amen.
HYMNS
For suitable hymns, including some specially written for St Nicholas-tide, see:
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/hymns/
INTERCESSIONS
The intercessions printed in this service are based on http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/second-sunday/
For other suitable prayers and intercessions, see http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/prayers-for-children/
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
1. On arrival, children are invited to leave their shoes somewhere. Later in the service (e.g. after the collection and blessing of the toys) they reclaim their shoes, which now contain chocolate coins.
2. After the service the Boy Bishop or St Nicholas dispenses gold coins from the bishop’s throne.
3. After the service serve St Nicholas cookies with drinks.
Saint Nicholas,
Bishop of Myra
The real story of 'Santa' goes back to a fourth century Christian saint named Nicholas.
Nicholas was Bishop of Myra. He had a great heart for the poor and courageously pursued justice. One story tells how Nicholas heard that three innocent men had been handed over to some soldiers to be executed. He ran to the site, grabbed the executioner's sword and freed the men. Another story tells how, when Myra was in the grip of famine, Nicholas convinced sailors on route to Egypt to share their wheat cargoes with the people. Not only were the people fed, but the wheat cargoes were miraculously replenished. Another story tells how St Nicholas rescued three girls from slavery (or worse) by secretly dropping gold coins into their stockings while they slept. Yet another story tells how he rescued three kidnapped children. He is also credited with standing up to those who hindered God’s work and he helped to write the Nicene Creed.
From the Bishop to 'St Nick'
Over the centuries, as 'Nicholas' stories and devotions spread, the saint's image became more gentle and benign. He was portrayed as a friend to children, leaving fruits, nuts, cookies and sweets in shoes and stockings on the eve of St Nicholas' Feast Day which is December 6th. In fact, the shape of the candy cane is meant to reflect the bishop's crosier (shepherd's staff) which Nicholas carried. In the middle ages the figure of Nicholas was often accompanied by a devil-like character to symbolise the choice between good and evil. Like Nicholas, people were inspired to offer little gifts and acts of kindness to each other in secret, seeking nothing in return. The practice of giving Christmas baskets to those in need is also a St Nicholas custom.
From St Nick to the American 'Santa'
In nineteenth century New York a number of popular writers and artists began depicting St Nicholas as an elfin Dutch figure who smoked a clay pipe and brought gifts down the chimney. However it took a 1930s Coca Cola advertising gimmick to give the American Santa image the mass appeal we are so familiar with today. For 35 years Coca Cola was sold using the life-size, plump, jolly, red-suited, cherry-faced, white-bearded, Santa figure. Santa was now an icon of contemporary commercial culture!
So there you have it. 'Santa Claus' as we know him evolved from a fourth century Bishop, a courageous man of faith and a friend of the poor. Today the original saint is increasingly attracting attention from people in search of the spiritual dimension of the festive season.
Source: St Nicholas Centre: www.stnicholascenter.org This is a delightful website for rediscovering the 'Real' Santa Claus, including St Nicholas stories, prayers, recipes and children's activities. Worth a visit this Christmas!