TLDR: Pray for the Seafarer’s. Come to Breakfast with St. Nicholas on December 10 from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. for pictures and to make boxes for the Seafarer’s in Houston.

The Feast of St. Nicholas is coming around the corner again. As with last year, St. Dunstan’s will celebrate the Feast Day on Saturday, December 10 from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Feast days within advent can feel a bit strange as it is a season of reflection and penitence, however, St. Nicholas encourages us to begin looking at our lives and see how we can be more generous with our talents and time.

One legend that I read comes from a lectionary blog. St. Nicholas heard of a man with three daughters who did not have dowries. He went by their window at night and tossed bags of gold into their house. The daughters found these coins and were able to marry instead of unpleasant alternatives. In colder climates, the story said St. Nicholas dropped the bags of coins down the chimney. 

There are many people today who have strenuous jobs and while we cannot give them the bags of gold, sometimes a care package is a meaningful necessity. This year, at Breakfast with St. Nicholas, we will be more intentionally focusing on putting together Christmas presents for Seafarers. The boxes will graciously be taken to the International Houston Seafarer Center. This year, I hope to fill at least eighty boxes. A list of items to donate can be found on our website.

St. Nicholas is the patron saint of Seafarers. When I visited the Seafarer Center several years ago the chaplain explained that the people aboard the ships are away from home for months at a time. On top of this, because of visa and security reasons they are not always able to come ashore. These sailors face difficult weather, isolation, and separation from family. They are doing so to support their families or make a better life for themselves. This does not mean that the burden feels easy. Displays of faith can be a great kindness in these times of difficulty. We have all felt lonely and missed our families. Many people reading this blog are in Houston where the weather can be ferocious at times. It is out of empathy and care that we lift up fellow children of God.

Another story about St. Nicholas states that he boarded a ship for a pilgrimage and encountered a storm. When he prayed, the storm became peaceful. The truth of the matter is that we all experience stormy times, and as the Feast Day of St. Nicholas approaches, we can remember the Seafarers by putting together boxes for them. In addition to this we will have crafts, stories, pictures, hot chocolate, donuts, and chick-fil-a.

Last year, I began with the traditional language collect for St. Nicholas, this year, I will end with the contemporary language collect:

Grant, Almighty God, that your church may be so inspired by the example of your servant Nicholas of Myra, that it may never cease to work for the welfare of children, the safety of sailors, the relief of the poor, and the help of those tossed by tempests of doubt or grief; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.^[1]

For His Sake,

Mtr. Beth Anne +

^[1] Lesser Feasts and Fasts (2003). Nicholas Bishop of Myra. New York: Church Publishing. pp.96-97