Joy to the world, the Lord is comeLet earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and heaven and nature sing
Psalm 67:4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth.
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In our travels around Europe we have encountered St. Nicholas churches everywhere. For us, he is an image of Santa Claus in a jolly red suit. He is fictional, surrounded by images of materialism.
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But around Europe, from St. Petersburg and Italy to Greece, he is an example of a saint who loved children and took care of them. He is buried in a church in Bari, Italy. The story of how they got his body involves stealing by cloak of night like a trophy. But to them his body reminded the people to Bari to live a more holy life.
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Christ came into the world to bring all peoples and all nations to himself. The church around the world is alive and well - in many places more vibrant than in the US and Europe. Truly His birth was a time of JOY for the world.
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Both photos taken in Bari, Italy in November.
