christchurch2007

Our first visit from Saint Nicholas happened on December 6th. To the delight of the children and adults who attended the Evening Prayer celebration followed by dessert, Saint Nick, the bishop of Myra, showed up in his most splendid red and white outfit.

Every one who attended was asked to remove one of their shoes during my sermon. By the end of the service, St. Nicholas had arrived, candy canes representing the bishop's shepherd's crook (crozier), were handed out and the shoes were filled with chocolate wrapped in gold. There was also a gold dollar piece placed in each shoe with the challenge of spending the dollar the way St. Nicholas would--to help someone in need.

Following the service, we all went to the parish hall to enjoy desserts provided by the families who attended. We hope to make this service a regular tradition at Christ Church and to do new and creative things during the service and afterwards. Anyone interested in helping to plan this fun family event should drop me an email at rwcornner@aol.com or give me a call.

Here is the prayer we used to bless the candy canes last night.

THE BLESSING OF THE CANDY CANES

St Nicholas Center by Edward Hays


Good St. Nicholas, we honor you
on this your holy feast day.
We rejoice that you are the patron saint
and the holy symbol of joy
for many peoples of many lands.

Come, great-hearted, saint
and be our patron and companion
as we, once again, prepare our homes and hearts
for the great feast of Christmas,
the birth of the Eternal Blessing, Jesus Christ.

May these sweets, these candy canes,
be a sign of Advent joy for us.

May these candy canes,
shaped just like your Bishop’s staff,
be for us a sign of your benevolent care.

We rejoice that you are the holy bringer of gifts
and that so many have been delighted
through your great generosity.

Help us to be as generous of heart.
Wherever these candy canes are hung,
on tree or wall or door,
may they carry with them
the bright blessing of God.

May all who shall taste them
experience the joy of God
upon their tongues and in their hearts.

We ask God, now, to bless
these your brightly striped sweets
in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

From Prayers for the Domestic Church: A Handbook for Worship in the Home by Edward Hays, copyright © 1989 (revised) Forest of Peace Publishing. Used by permission. Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.ca, or amazon.co.uk.


God's Peace in the Coins and Candy Staffs of Life,
Bob+