All Souls Weekly                 
Volume 3, Number 2, December 6, 2009

HOW A GRINCH STOLE ST. NICHOLAS DAY

December 6 is traditionally observed as the feast day for St. Nicholas of Myra. It is this Nicholas who was the fourth century bishop whose life has morphed (for better or for worse) into modern conceptions of Saint Nick and Santa Claus. Though little is known about the actual Nicholas, one of the most famous stories told of him has to do with a family who had three daughters. As the young women grew up, Nicholas heard that the family had no money for dowries for the women to be properly married. The only options for the young women in that culture seemed to be abject poverty or prostitution. But Nicholas saved them by throwing a bag of gold through their window, anonymously. Some sources say he threw it into the chimney, and you can see where that has led in modern legends. But the point is that Nicholas’ action was almost anonymous. It was self-giving. He didn’t look for a thank you or expect anything in return. Through many legends and stories over the centuries, Nicholas is depicted as the friend of children, the patron saint of sailors, a protector of the poor, and a rescuer of any who may find themselves in a dangerous situation.         

So who stole his feast day this year? Is there a grinch in the liturgical calendar? 

St. Nicholas Day is not so much stolen, as it is replaced this year. Since December 6 falls on a Sunday, St. Nicholas Day (being a lesser feast) would ordinarily be moved to the next convenient weekday, Monday. But Monday is December 7, which is already another feast day, commemorating Ambrose of Milan. Rather than have the calendar shift throughout the year, the custom has developed that when a lesser feast falls on a Sunday and cannot be transferred to a Monday, it simply is not observed that year. So the grinch, if there is one, might be named “tradition,” or “custom.”

Though we won’t officially commemorate St. Nicholas on December 6, we will include a prayer for him at Evensong and then we will celebrate him in fine style at the Children’s St. Nicholas Party next Saturday, December 12. As we move through this Advent, may we be inspired to notice ways that we might help the life of another person, particularly the life of a young person. By doing something to help the life of a child, we honor Saint Nicholas, and we follow in the steps of our Lord and Savior Christ. John Beddingfield

Around the Parish . . . The Adult Forum meets at 10 a.m. in the undercroft and today focuses on Judaism.  We will welcome Amira Rosenberg, who holds a masters in religion from Harvard University, and is currently teaching in the undergraduate theology program at Georgetown University . . . Special thanks to all who helped prepare, eat, or clean up for the Thanksgiving dinner last week, especially to Jennifer Johnston for coordinating . . . Thanks to Robin Jones for cooking for our Advent Wednesday evening dinner last week . . . Attendance on Thursday, November 26 at the Thanksgiving Day Mass, 37; attendance on Sunday, November 29, at the 8:30 a.m. Mass, 38; attendance at 11:00 a.m. Mass, 152 . . . Total pledge offerings this week were $7,293.00. The plate offering this week was $1,022.00.

Your prayers are asked for . . . Ann Dixon, Lorenzo Martinez, Family of Tom Martin, Hugh Yeomans, Cielito Pilar, Helen Horne, Pat Latin, Erling Hansen, Tim Dill, Mark Hoffman, Mona Bauer, Mary Backus, Sandy Jenkins Dixon, Steve Collins, I. Kathryn McKewen, Lexi Ball, Thais Blanchard, Bruce MacDonald, Bob Colburn, Elizabeth McKee, Freddie Cameron, Robert Long, Barb Chaffee, Harriet Martin, Chris Cobb, Landis Vance, Vickie Drell, Stephanie Russell, Ruth & Fred Huber, Jim St. George, Mark Henderson, Sheldon Odland, Martha Holdgate, Chip Meyers, Walter Jason, Arthur Andrew Warren, Louise and Robert Osborne, Mary Beth McCutcheon, Bryan Powell, Regina Dading, Julia Gutierrez, Ted Field, and for the repose of the soul of Milton . . . Pray for members of the parish in the foreign service and others who are working overseas, especially Chuck Hunter, Steve Kerchoff, Brad Moore, and Michael Pate . . . Pray also for the members of our Armed Forces on active duty, especially Jack Severson, and Timothy Zlatich . . . If you wish to participate in our ongoing Internet Prayer Circle please contact Vicki Lowe at lowevg1@verizon.net.

Liturgical Notes . . . Join us on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. for a light supper and our program, “The Music of Advent.”  Philip Cave will lead our discussion this week . . . The Sanctuary candle burns to the glory of God and in memory of Dale Huber, given by Barry Huber . . . On Sunday, December 13, Mr. Seth Walley, our seminarian, will preach at the 8:30 a.m. Mass . . . On Sunday, December 20, Father Worthley will preach and celebrate at both Masses.

Childcare Workers Needed . . . Our Sunday childcare attendant, Natty Dayal, will be away during the months of January and February.  If you know of anyone who would like to be considered for this position please contact the parish office.

Episcopal Mens Fellowship . . . The EMF will meet in the undercroft on Tuesday, December 8 to hear Robert Publicover talk about “Christmas at the North Pole.” If you are interested in attending, please sign up in the undercroft so that we can arrange for the proper amount of food.

A Special Advent Evensong . . . This afternoon, December 6 at 4 p.m, All Souls will offer choral evensong with prayers for the season and in particular thanksgiving for the ministry of the St. John Eye Hospital in East Jerusalem.  An offering will be taken for the ongoing ministry of the hospital and clinics.  Music led by the All Souls Choir and the Madrigal Singers of McLean High School will include Preces and Responses by Thomas Morley (1557 or 1558 – 1602) canticles from the Short Service by Orlando Gibbons (1583 – 1625), and other anthems.  Father Beddingfield will be the officiant and the Rev. William Hague, rector of Christ Church, Kensington, will offer the homily. Please join us for this special time of prayer and song.  A reception sponsored by the Order of St. John follows in the undercroft.

St. Nicholas Party . . . The children of the Sunday school will celebrate the season on Saturday, December 12 at 6 p.m. in the undercroft.  (Children of all ages, as well as adults, are welcome to join the party.)  Contributions will be received to purchase toys for the St. John Eye Hospital. The dinner will be pot luck, so if you can bring something, please RSVP to Marcia Anderson at marcia513@verizon.net.

Endowment Grant Applications . . . Applications for grants from the All Souls Endowment Fund for 2010 are available in the parish office and on the bulletin board in the undercroft. Grants may be made for projects in ministry or mission as well as for capital improvements. All applications are due in the office by January 29, 2010 and will be acted upon by the Board and Vestry.

Readings for the Daily Office