St.
Nicholas
Bishop
of Myra
(feast day
December 6, 342)
Rowan - playing Father Christmas at “the Palace”
Father Christmas
Sinterklaas, Father Christmas, Santa Claus… familiar names with a colour scheme made popular by the ubiquitous Coca-Cola icon, present traditional images and symbols in a timeless drama that find fresh expression in every generation. The Bishop of Myra is esteemed for the example he set for Christians to follow: in the care he gave to the distressed and disadvantaged.
His Bishop’s crozier, a
symbol of the shepherd tending his flock, reminds us of the Good Shepherd,
Jesus, and the example he so graciously invites us to follow. His hat, a mitre,
is a sign of his Office as Bishop, as is the ring seen in the photo of
Sinterklaas.
The cope and alb and stole complete the Episcopal symbols, softened and refashioned in the cultural image of Santa Claus we are more familiar with. At St. Luke’s, our children were given candy canes, candied croziers, as families brought food to church for distribution among those in need during a time when the advantaged have plenty.
