Peace and Comfort

I have never experienced a year like the one we have had as a pastor. 2020 was nothing compared to this year. Last year was a walk in the park compared to this year. I don’t have to tell you that there has been many moments of grief. I have not only done more funerals this year than I have the previous four years combined, by I have also lost family members as well. There has been changes in the lives of my family. Many of the changes have been good. Yet, there is still stress with every change. On top of this, we have lost church members. Not just those who have passed on, but those who have not returned since the pandemic began. Some have visited other churches, some have moved away. Although that is not a big number, the number is still great with those who simply have not returned. I made a pledge, early on in my ministry life that I would not ever try to force people to attend church, for no good can come from that. Yet, there is still the pain of loss that is insurmountable. There is loss everywhere I turn. It is overwhelming. This week, I noticed just how shut down I have become to the world around me when I was watching the news. Do you know that there was another school shooting this week? They have also discovered another variant to Covid-19. Yes, the Omicron variant. Honestly, once I heard those words my brain shutdown and I began counting the Greek letters to figure out what number we are on. Apparently this is the fifteenth variant of Covid-19 just in case you wanted to know. Last month, I was depressed. I am feeling some better now. I thank God only for this peace and comfort. Seeing family over Thanksgiving, planning Christmas, and the decorations here have helped. However, I have been abiding in Christ more and more with each passing day, and I know that He is the one who bring me Peace and Comfort.

Pray and Read Isaiah 40:1-11

Isaiah 40:1–11 NRSV

Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” A voice says, “Cry out!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.

How dare Isaiah tell the people of Israel, during a time when there is no Israel, “be of good comfort and cheer.” No, how can they? There homes have been destroyed. Not only that, but they have no homeland to return to. They have lost family and friends, either through violent death or separation. They have nothing in which to find comfort. But God! They have comfort in God who still loves them and promises restoration, even now.

As they recall the stories of the great leaders and prophets before, they remember that God always restores what is destroyed. Isaiah reminds them that their sins are forgiven, because the price has been paid, twice over actually! They may be in the wilderness now, but God is make a way for them to return home. Not all is lost.

From the wilderness, they will see a clear path back to the full promises of God. They will see over the tallest mountains. The mountains and valley will be made into a straight path. Every rough place made smooth. Be of comfort, God’s people. He is making things new. Isaiah tells God’s people to “Herald glad tidings.” This means to be messengers of good news. Even in the face of oppression and loss, there is good news that needs to be shared.

I love the story of Santa Claus. Although we call him Santa Claus, his name is actually St. Nicholas. There is a virtual center dedicated to the life and stories of St. Nicholas or Santa Claus. You can visit. www.stnicholascenter.org. Here is some history from this website.

“The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara in Asia Minor. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus’ words to “sell what you own and give the money to the poor,” Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th (December 19 on the Julian Calendar).

Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas’ life and deeds. These accounts help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need.”

“One story tells of a poor man with three daughters. In those days a young woman’s father had to offer prospective husbands something of value—a dowry. The larger the dowry, the better the chance that a young woman would find a good husband. Without a dowry, a woman was unlikely to marry. This poor man’s daughters, without dowries, were therefore destined to be sold into slavery. Mysteriously, on three different occasions, a bag of gold appeared in their home-providing the needed dowries. The bags of gold, tossed through an open window, are said to have landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas. Sometimes the story is told with gold balls instead of bags of gold. That is why three gold balls, sometimes represented as oranges, are one of the symbols for St. Nicholas. And so St. Nicholas is a gift-giver.”

But that is not my most favorite story about Saint Nick. Let me read to you the one that I enjoy most. “In 325 Emperor Constantine called the Council of Nicaea, which was the first ecumenical council ever held. More than 300 bishops from all over the Christian world came to debate the nature of the Holy Trinity, one of the early church’s most intense theological questions. Arias, from Egypt, taught that the Son Jesus was not equal to God the Father. This was the Arian controversy which shook Christianity’s very foundations. According to one account, when confronted by the unyielding Arias, Nicholas slapped him in the face. For such a breach of decorum, Nicholas was brought before Constantine, who stripped him of his office and had him thrown into prison. During the night, Jesus with his Mother Mary appeared to Nicholas: Jesus bringing the book of the Gospels, and Mary, the bishop’s stole which had been taken from him. In this way Nicholas was reinstated. Many Eastern Church icons of St. Nicholas reflect this event with Jesus on the left returning the Gospels, and Mary on the right, bringing the bishop’s stole or omophorion.”

St. Nicholas, even in the face of opposition and oppression, found ways to still bring peace and truth. This is why he has the position that he has with being the patron saint of children and gift-giving. Do you see how St. Nicholas is like Jesus Christ? Do you see elements in his life that say, “yes, he was a good Christian!” How are the stories of Santa Claus good examples of the values and morals Jesus commands us to have as His followers? Think about your idea’s of Santa Claus, Saint Nick, or Kris Kringle, whatever you call him, and how do you also share in his love for others? How can you care for the children around you? I think that being giving is showing the Christmas Spirit. Do you agree? Are you bringing comfort and joy to those who need it most? How can you bring peace in this chaotic world, or in the life circumstances that you are in, in this day and age?

In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.