Old Saint Nick?
The original "Old St. Nick" who inspired the tradition of Santa Claus, Nicholas was bishop of Myra in fourth-century Turkey. Little is known about his life except that he entrusted himself to Jesus at an early age and, when his parents died, gace all of their possessions to the poor. While serving as bishop, Nicholas learned of three girls who were going to be sold into slavery by their father. Moved to use the church's wealth to ransom the lives of these little ones, he tossed three bags of gold through the family's window. We recall this ancient Christmas gift, even as we remember the 1.2 million children are trafficked each year in the global sex trade today.
*From Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals p.55
to think a secular tradition story is based on a bishop who creatively addressed a serious issue that still exists today... hm. something to think about.
and need a song to make you smile? this one does it for me every time... click here to hear it
I love, I love, I love, I love the way You hold me
I love, I love, I love, I love the way You hold me
I love, I love, I love, I love the way You hold me
I love, I love, I love, I love the way You, the way Ya, the way Ya…
I've had a long day; I just wanna relax.
Don't have time for my friends, no time to chit-chat
Problems at my job, wonderin' what to do
I know I should be working but I'm thinking of You and
Just when I feel this crazy world is gonna bring me down,
That's when Your smile comes around
Oo, I love the way You hold me, by my side You'll always be
You take each and every day, make it special in some way
I love the way You hold me, in Your arms I'll always be
You take each and every day, make it special in some way
I love You more than the words in my brain can express
I can't imagine even loving You less
Lord, I love the way You hold me
I love, I love, I love, I love the way You hold me
Whoa oh oh oh oh
Oh Whoa I love the way You hold me
I love, I love, I love, I love the way You hold me
Whoa oh oh oh oh whoa
I love, I love, I love, I love the way Ya…
Well You took my day and You flipped it around,
Calmed the tidal wave and put my feet on the ground
Forever in my heart, always on my mind
It's crazy how I think about You all of the time
And just when I think I'm about to figure You out,
You make me wanna sing and shout
Oo, I love the way You hold me, by my side You'll always be
You take each and every day, make it special in some way
I love the way You hold me, in Your arms I'll always be
You take each and every day, make it special in some way
I love You more than the words in my brain can express
I can't imagine even loving You less
Lord, I love the way You hold me
I love, I love, I love, I love the way You hold me
Whoa oh oh oh oh
Oh Whoa I love the way You hold me
I love, I love, I love, I love the way You hold me
Whoa oh oh oh oh whoa
I love, I love, I love, I love the way Ya…
I'm so grateful and thankful for all You've done
Wish I could tell You in a short story or poem
But, all I have is my voice and this guitar
And You have my heart
Oo, I love the way You hold me, by my side You'll always be
You take each and every day, make it special in some way
love the way You hold me, in Your arms I'll always be
You take each and every day every day every day...
“Hold Me” Jamie Grace and Toby Mac
