The Festival of St. Nicholas, Bishop and Confessor
Posted on December 6, 2025 by under
Scripture: St. Matthew 25:14-23 (NKJV)
25:14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’”
Devotion
Just as the master of the servants in the parable traveled to a far country, so our Master, Jesus Christ, has departed and ascended into heaven. Unlike a normal traveler, however, Jesus is not absent from us. He has given us His Spirit, Word, and Sacraments, through which He Himself remains graciously with us to forgive our sins and preserve us from all evil.
He has also given us various gifts, each according to one’s own ability. St. Nicholas was given both great wealth and skills that were useful for the Office of the Ministry. He used these things faithfully; his money to provide for the poor, and his abilities as a bishop in the Church, defending the truth from the attacks of heretics.
When Jesus returns on the Last Day He will settle accounts with all of His servants. Knowing that we have sinned and misused His possessions, we should repent and put our faith in His merits, so that we are accounted righteous in His sight. And knowing that we are righteous by faith, we should strive to fulfill His will as good and faithful servants over whatever He has entrusted to our care.
Collect: O Lord, hear our prayers to Thee on this day of St. Nicholas, Thy Confessor and Bishop, that, as Thou didst lead him to render faithful service to Thee, Thou wouldst lead us to faithfully confess our hope in Thy salvation; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for Ad te levavi, the First Sunday in Advent
Stir up, we beseech Thee, Thy power, O Lord, and come, that by Thy protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins, and saved by Thy mighty deliverance; Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
