REFLECTION

Star Of David

Also known as The Creator’s Star, as each of the six points represents a day of the week and the centre corresponds to the Sabbath.

The two triangles represent the two opposites in our world, for example, good versus evil; spiritual versus physical and so on.

The triangle pointing up symbolises our good deeds, which go up to heaven and activate a flow of goodness back down to the world (the triangle pointing down).

David
The name David in ancient Hebrew – which was during the time of King David, is made up of three letters, “Dalet”, “Vav” and “Dalet”. The letter Dalet in ancient Hebrew is actually a triangle.

Kind David used the six-pointed star as his signature (the two triangles of his name). The middle letter “Vav” means six – the six-pointed star.

The six points symbolise that God rules over the universe and protects us from all six directions: North, South, East, West, Up and Down. King David used this symbol in the battlefield on his shield as an omen from God.

Saint Nicholas

Patron Saint

Did you know that St. Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors and is often called upon by sailors who are in danger of drowning or being shipwrecked?

One legend says that as a young man Nicholas went to study in Alexandria. On one of his sea voyages from Myra to Alexandria he saved the life of a sailor who fell from the ship’s rigging in a storm.

On his arrival, he took the sailor to the church. At that time, the bishop had died and the church fathers were instructed in a dream to choose for their next bishop a “man who conquers”. (This is from the Greek word ‘nikei’).

While the saint was praying - the sailor went around telling everyone that he was courageously saved by the man Nikei-Laos.

So the church elders had no choice but to appoint Nicholas as their new bishop.

Saint Nicholas was seen as “The Lord of the Sea”, and in modern Greece, he is still easily among the most recognisable saints.

December 6 finds many cities celebrating their patron saint. He is also the patron saint of all of Greece.

It is also claimed Nicholas resurrected three children who were butchered, and that is his connection with children – showing redemption and kindness.

He is also the patron saint of pawnbrokers.

Giving Gifts

It’s also claimed Nicholas helped a father of three unmarried girls. The father had no dowry for his daughters, which meant they would face a life of poverty and no marriage prospects.

So Nicholas, threw one purse, for three consecutive nights through a window opening onto the man’s floor.
In one version of events, the father waited up to see who was leaving the money. But Nicholas saw him and instead he threw the money down the chimney.

In Grecian times of yesteryear, on 6 December, every man went to the harbour towns to participate in a church celebration for their patron saint.

On the way back they would stop at one of the various Nicholas Fairs to buy some hard to come by goods and gifts for their loved ones and invariably some little presents for their children.

While the real gifts would only be presented at Christmas, the little presents for the children were given right away, courtesy of Saint Nicholas.

A Christmas Prayer

Loving Father. Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
(Robert Louis Stevenson)

At Gift Giving

Lord Jesus. Wise men travelled for miles to bring you the first Christmas presents. So may we, too, remember with thankful hearts the love that comes with each present we open. 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. Amen

Christmas Workers

Lord. As I spend today going about my work, help me to put aside any bitterness that I’m not celebrating at home with loved ones. I ask you, Loving Father, to give me a special sense of your presence as I meet people, that I may shed on them the light of the Bethlehem Star, the Spirit of Christmas. Amen.

Christmas Bible readings:
St Luke 2 (1-20). St Luke tells the traditional nativity story.

John 1 (1-18). The Prologue to St. John’s Gospel reveals how Jesus was destined to be born from the very beginning of time.

1 John 4 (7-14). Reminds us of God’s love for us in giving His son to be born as a human baby.

Isaiah 9 (2,6,7). The prophet Isaiah foretells the coming of the Prince of Peace.

At Christmas Dinner
We thank you, Father God, for the love that binds us, for the food that nourishes us, and for your giving of your Son into our world to save us. Amen.

Reflection
Father God, When your precious Son became a tiny baby in a stable in Bethlehem in poverty and simplicity, you changed our world. As we imagine those surroundings, we join with the shepherds and the wise men in wonder and praise. We thank you for our material lives, praise you for our spiritual lives, and trust in you for our eternal life. Amen.

 

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