Saint Nicholas Day (Mikuláš)

Saint Nicholas Day (Mikuláš)

The charming  (or not so charming) tradition of St. Nicholas falls on the eve of St. Nicholas Day, December 5th. If you find yourself walking the streets on that evening, you may run into a group of strange characters: St. Nicholas (Mikuláš), the Angel (anděl) who represents the Good, and the Devil (čert) representing the Evil. All wear costumes. Mikuláš looks a bit like Santa Claus whose origin was supposedly inspired by St. Nicholas. All three characters walk the streets, stopping children and asking them if they were good in the past year. Most kids say yes and sing a song or recite a short poem. They are then rewarded with sweets, candy or other treats, which are handed out by the Angel. Bad kids would be put in the Devil's sack and taken to hell, or would only get a sack of potatoes or coal instead of candy - of course it does not really happen! The charming tradition of St. Nicholas falls on the eve of St. Nicholas Day, December 5th. If you find yourself walking the streets on that evening, you may run into a group of strange characters: St. Nicholas (Mikuláš), the Angel (anděl) who represents the Good, and the Devil (čert) representing the Evil. All wear costumes. Mikuláš looks a bit like Santa Claus whose origin was supposedly inspired by St. Nicholas. All three characters walk the streets, stopping children and asking them if they were good in the past year. Most kids say yes and sing a song or recite a short poem. They are then rewarded with sweets, candy or other treats, which are handed out by the Angel. Bad kids would be put in the Devil's sack and taken to hell, or would only get a sack of potatoes or coal instead of candy - of course it does not really happen! The charming tradition of St. Nicholas falls on the eve of St. Nicholas Day, December 5th. If you find yourself walking the streets on that evening, you may run into a group of strange characters: St. Nicholas (Mikuláš), the Angel (anděl) who represents the Good, and the Devil (čert) representing the Evil. All wear costumes. Mikuláš looks a bit like Santa Claus whose origin was supposedly inspired by St. Nicholas. All three characters walk the streets, stopping children and asking them if they were good in the past year. Most kids say yes and sing a song or recite a short poem. They are then rewarded with sweets, candy or other treats, which are handed out by the Angel. Bad kids would be put in the Devil's sack and taken to hell, or would only get a sack of potatoes or coal instead of candy - of course it  (the bag)does not really happen!

On Tuesday, tracts will be distributed relating to this holiday .  Please pray for those receiving the tract and that they would be willing read it.  

Happy Birthday

Happy 15th Birthday, James

Request for prayer

Thank you for those who prayed for ill church members and for the faithfulness of others.  This Sunday was a blessing to our family.  We would also ask that you remember to pray for Milada, she faithfully attends our services, but has not trusted the Lord as her personal saviour.  Her husband is waiting on his wife's profession before he is baptised.  Pray for Lenka, the school teacher that Debra tutors in English.  Debra is on lesson 3 of the four week salvation Bible lesson with her.  Pray for the salvation of Zdenek, he is an elderly man with cancer.   I was introduced to him by his nephew, a friend of mine. I have been able to speak with him several times, once in the hospital and again at his home. He says he believes in God.

Our family is normally healthy, but at this time we would ask that you pray for James.  We took him for his regular eye exam last Tuesday.  As the doctor looked into his eyes, she noticed something that was not correct.  James has a spot in one of his eyes that looks like a tunnel made by a needle.  We can not remember any accident involving his eye.  The doctor did not see anything left in the eye, but called for a sonogram to be done by a specialist.  James appointment will be this Wednesday afternoon.  Please pray that the eye is clear and that there will be no need of surgery.  Please pray for Debra.  She is having a reaction to something that is causing a rash, actually sores on her head, back and chest.  We do not know what is causing it.  She has an appointment to see the dermatologist at the end of the month.  Please pray that the doctor can prescribe meds to treat this quickly and  an explanation.

As we minister here in the Czech Republic, please remember to pray for our family members  and our church family in the United States.

Discouragment comes, but blessings prevail

With several people ill, others needing to work or those who were out of town for the weekend, it left us with the lowest attendance in our Czech services. It has been a long time since we have had this low of an attendance. Our English service was truly a blessing as we heard a message on prayer from Julio,  the  young man from El Salvador.  Please pray for the Czech people and for Julio. Julio will be here until the university's first semester ends in February.