FormingLutherans

Shrouded in legend, Bishop Nicholas of Myra (270-343) evolved over the centuries into the patron saint of children (in the West) and sailors (in the East). According to one Roman Catholic source, this devolution—my word, not that of my source—of a fourth-century saint revered for acts of mercy and charity into the King of consumerism at Christmas started in Protestant circles.

“…the giving of presents at Christmas … is not an old Catholic custom. It seems to have originated among the Protestants of the Low Countries and to have been taken to America by the Dutch immigrants of New Amsterdam” (Butler, Lives of the Saints, December vol., 60). The name “‘Santa Claus’” derives from “the Dutch ‘Sint Niklaas’” (ibid., 59).

Feast of St. Nicholas Shrouded in legend, Bishop Nicholas of Myra (270-343) evolved over the centuries into the patron saint of children (in the West) and sailors (in the East). Acco

Rev. Dr. Armand Boehme writes:
Here are some comments to help the readers understand how I arrived at my selection of the scripture readings and hymns for this part of the catechetical sermon series.

Baptismal Sermons

For each of the baptismal sermons I included in the readings the scriptural texts Luther used in his Catechism (Matt. 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-16; Titus 3:3-8; Romans 6:1-11).

For the first sermon the Old Testament and Epistle readings reflect the fact that circumcision is the Old Testament predecessor to Baptism, and that Baptism (the circumcision of Christ) can be administered to infants. Circumcision was administered to infants on the 8th day (Genesis 17:9-13). The sermon text contrasts Jesus’ Baptism with our baptism – Jesus was baptized as an adult and did not need Baptism; most of us were baptized as infants and all of us needed Baptism to be brought to faith and to have sin forgiven.

Catechetical Sermon Series I – Baptism and the Ten Commandments Here are some comments to help the readers understand how I arrived at my selection of the scripture readings and hymns for this part of the catechetical sermon