A Gift on the Feast of St. Nicholas -- The Scribe: The Legend of Josiam

Editor's Note: I love my readers! Many of their comments are spot on and bring up aspects of a subject that I haven't even thought of. How much they enrich the experience of blogging. I'm so thankful for them. One sent me a short story he was assigned once in a class (in 1991). Students were told to write an original piece about Christmas. I was so impressed with what he sent, I asked to reprint it. I know you will be as taken with the elderly scribe, Josiam, as I was. He makes me think of Simeon in his excitement over the coming of the Messiah. Because of its length, I'm publishing this in two parts. Part 1 is your St. Nicholas Day gift. It may be late in the evening, but it's still that dear saint's feast day. May you enjoy this little gift as much as I did.

THE SCRIBE

THE LEGEND OF JOSIAM

by Thomas J. Walsh

Chapter I

“Josiam, you had best come quickly!” Enos called to the elderly scribe, who was sitting hunched over with his nose nearly touching the tiny wooden desk. “King Herod demands that we attend to him in his court at once.”

Happy St. Nicholas Day or Punch a Heretic Day

Coal and a switch for you, heretic!

Have you ever heard the story about St. Nicholas punching Arius during the council of Nicaea?

Archbishop Nicholas attended the first Ecumenical Council at Nicaea (325), where he allegedly assailed the heretic Arius. In the middle of his hearing, Arius stood up on his seat in order to be better heard. Enraged by Arius’ denial that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, Archbishop Nicholas strode quickly over to Arius, pulled him down by his beard, and punched him in the face.

Now there's a man of action! You better watch out....

Put Your Shoes Out for St. Nicholas the Wonder-Worker

I love St. Nicholas. He was meek, loved the poor, and deprived himself of many good things to share with others. What a model for Advent. You can read about this great saint here and here.

Being meek didn't keep him from defending the faith with zeal. It's said that during one of the most contentious meetings during the Council of Nicea, he crossed the room and took a swing at the heretic Arius who denied that Christ was God.

Gosh, we could use some bishops like that in these days of playing kissy face with dissenters and outright heretics.

I'm putting my shoe out for St. Nicholas and asking him to fill it with spiritual intercessions that I might be more like him.

St. Nicholas, pray for us!