Strood St. Nicholas Patronal (Is.61.1-3;ITim.6.6-11;Mk.10.13-16)
Few days ago I returned from a visit to Estonia, our link diocese. While St Nicholas is not the most popular saint in Estonia, that is the Blessed Virgin Mary, he is, nevertheless, significant for Christians in Estonia. The Russian Orthodox Church in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is dedicated to St Nicholas and there is another prominent church, formerly belonging to the Evangelical Lutherans but still in the hands of the state, dedicated to the same saint. In Tallinn and probably here in Strood, churches were dedicated to St Nicholas in port cities and towns because he was the patron saint of sailors. Sailors pray to St Nicholas to free them from the danger of shipwreck and drowning.
Another important custom I discovered in Estonia is the importance of light. In the winter in Estonia, nights are very long and days are very short. Outside shops there are candles and flames burning. Last Sunday, Advent Sunday, the Christmas tree was formally lit in the town square and while there were electric lights on the tree, a candle with a living flame was also lit and many people take the light from this candle, dedicated by the local priest, and burn it at home. This is not an ancient custom in Estonia but began as they were gaining freedom from their Soviet occupiers - it began in the 1990s. Light, then, symbolises for Estonians both the coming of Christ and also freedom. Our brothers and sisters in Estonia make a vital connection between the coming of Jesus Christ and liberation.
The stories around St Nicholas pointed to him as somebody who released people from different kinds of bondage. I have already referred to the story of St Nicholas releasing sailors from the danger of shipwreck and drowning. St Nicholas is also said to have saved three girls from prostitution by throwing three bags of gold as a dowry into their windows at night. Another tradition speaks of St Nicholas saving three unjustly condemned men who were about to be executed. Saving and releasing for life are themes around the stories of St Nicholas. I'm sure we all know that St Nicolas, as patron saint of children, is the origin of Father Christmas. Maybe we could say that through present giving, St. Nicholas is releasing children to enjoy Christmas!
So what does this popular and enigmatic saint say to us today? Does he have anything to say to us today? I believe that at this time, the stories around St Nicholas have particular relevance and significance. You may not agree, but I think that one of the most depressing and disheartening things we can do today is to switch on the news or read the newspaper. Doom and gloom are alive and well. I switched on the radio on my way here this evening and gained more cheer from the weather forecast than the news. The financial issues that surround us and the slippery slope before us are made very apparent. Six years of austerity, we are told. Depressive illnesses are up and I have no doubt that the suicide rate will rise. Yes, things are difficult and the economic future may look bleak, but the way it is all being transmitted and conveyed makes it sound as though we are all trapped. My concern is that the media are enjoying this is a bit too much and seem to be at their happiest when they are at their gloomiest. There is a danger that we lose perspective - as our Epistle reminds us today, ‘...if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.’ Note that it is the love of money which is a root of all evil: it is our attachment to money. If money is at the heart of our searching then we will be depressed. Doom and gloom. In these circumstances fear dominates our agendas – we become fearful and even more risk averse. We are trapped by fear. This is where, as Christians, we have something important to say and show and St Nicholas, who releases people from bondage, reminds us of an important message of the Christian faith. That wonderful reading from Isaiah, which is quoted by St Luke, reminds us of the liberation to be found in faith in God. Let me remind you of some of those words (Is.1-3). Here is a strong sense that the values of the world are turned upside down. Now is the time for us to show the power and truth of those words by not being drawn into this culture of fear and fearfulness.
Light is also important at this time of the year. Advent is a time for preparation for the coming of the light in the person of Jesus Christ. Our sisters and brothers in Estonia have made the vital and dynamic connection between the coming of Jesus Christ and liberation. It is in deepening our relationship with Jesus Christ that this connection becomes deeper and fuller.
Brother Roger of Taize used to pray that we should not let our darkness speak to us. Even in the gloomiest darkness, there are ladders of possibility. The light will never be overwhelmed by the darkness, even though we may not always feel that is the case.
I thank God for St. Nicholas and for his ministry of releasing....for the people of Estonia who have made the link between the light of Christ and their liberation from bondage and I pray that this ministry of liberation will be real and vital for us as we liberate ourselves and others from the fear that surrounds us.
4.xii.12.
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