I confess to getting very tired of "Santa Claus," and all the associated commercialism. So I sometimes have to remind myself that there is a real person behind the scarlet-suited shopping mall Santas -- St. Nicholas of Myra, a great a beloved bishop of the early 4th century. There is a good article about him on the Mission St. Clare Daily Office site for today. I encourage you to read it.

It seems to me that the real St. Nicholas is a genuine Advent character. Any person who can give so selflessly gives us reason to hope for the human race. A Christ-centred ministry such as his gives an example for all Christian ministries, especially during this season.

In this community, as in many others, there are a many special ministries associated with helping the poor, the homeless, and the hungry. Some of them continue year-round, some are special to the Christmas season. Some are faith-based, others are secular.

One example:
This Cathedral has housed the local Christmas Cheer Registry for over 30 years. From now until Christmas, our phone will ring constantly, as people enquire about both giving and receiving. It is a minor disruption to our life as a church, but one that we are glad to bear, because it helps many families enjoy Christmas in a way they would not otherwise.

The spirit of St. Nicholas lives in all of this selfeless ministry.
Thanks be to God.