The Good Shepherd: Gospel Reading for the Feast of St. Nicholas

 

 For Sunday, December 6, 2020

The Feast of St. Nicholas

John 10:1-9

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.

Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

Video 

Apolytikion for St. Nicholas 

Thy works of justice did reveal thee to thy community as a canon of faith, the likeness of humility and teacher of abstinence, O Father Bishop Nicholas. Wherefore, by humility thou hast achieved exaltation, and by thy meekness wealth. Intercede, therefore, with Christ God to save our souls.

Discussion Questions:

1. What kind of leader did God choose for his people?
2. What do shepherds do?
3. How is Christ like a shepherd for us?
4. How are our Bishops like shepherds?
5. How was St. Nicholas a good shepherd?
6. How can we be like them?

Lesson:

We read this Gospel today for the Feast of St. Nicholas because he was one of our most wonderful bishops. The bishop is the leader of our church, and he serves us the way that Christ did. God didn’t choose the most handsome or well-respected man to be the king of Israel, he chose a young shepherd named David. A Shepherd loves his sheep, he brings them to good pastures, to feed them, then leads them home again and protects them from dangerous animals like lions. 

This is the kind of ruler God wanted for his people when he chose a shepherd for a king. But it’s also the kind of ruler Christ is. He tells us that he is the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. In this story, Christ shows how he is like a shepherd. He calls us by name, and leads us to safe pasture. Even more so, he is also the door through which we find life. 

God wants our leaders, the Bishops and Priests, to be like shepherds as they imitate Christ. We give  them fine robes to honor them, but they lead us with the heart of a servant like a shepherd. The staff they hold is like the Shepherd’s staff, a sign of their pastoral role. Let us also imitate St. Nicholas, our Bishops, and especially our Lord Jesus Christ, by serving others with humility.

In Home Craft:

The printable pamphlet tells the story of St. Nicholas and includes an activity page.