I certainly believe without question that there is nothing in our lives that we should take more seriously than our faith. Great witnesses like John the Baptist this morning, in his thundering power and unforgettable preaching, rightly calls us to a serious and thorough examination of our lives, our hearts, our minds, our faith. But sometimes I worry if we sometimes lose sight of the sheer delight and wonder of our faith, the light-heartedness that rejoices the heart of God, and so pleases his Son who said we should be more like little children as we draw nearer his Father's heavenly Kingdom. So this Sunday does, wonderfully well and importantly, hold up to us John's austere and challenging and uncompromising preaching, warning, and call to repent. But for us, here at St Mary's, it also presents that other marvelous side, as much for us as for our children - our annual visit by St Nicholas. As with much that appears light-hearted, there is a deep seriousness and significance to this happy moment for our young people. St Nicholas, bearing an uncanny resemblance to George Price, will arrive bearing gifts - goodies, candies, chocolates, and all manner of sweet presents - a joy for all of us, you and I as much as our children. But we may well be intended to perceive a deeper, more potent aspect of the full meaning of this brief Visit -- the joy of undeserved, unearned gifts. Oh, we can take umbrage at the foolishness of much of the world's Christmas, or we can take to heart some of the lessons and insights it can provide -- we are not above any source of further understanding and appreciation of our salvation, whatever the source, how ever imperfect the vessel. Santa Claus, or the more church-like version, St Nicholas, as a herald of the Gospel, as teacher of the faith, as encourager of our Christian fidelity? Yes, yes, I think so. There is a crassness and selfishness and silliness to much of it of course, but underneath it all, justifying it all, is that Santa or Nicholas or any of the saints and angels really do come to us to bring something of the glory of God and the grace of our Lord. St Nicholas will fill the children's shoes with candy, chocolate and sugar, and licorice and peppermint. Might that also be a chance for us to bring to mind the gifts that Christ brings to us? We may smile indulgently as we see Nicholas fill their little shoes with sweet goodies. And us? What of us? We might well be put in mind, if we will allow it, of the realization yet again that our lives are filled with sweetness and joy and gifts beyond measure. To reassure you I am not as odd as I might seem, or as out of line as you might fear, I remind you that the Psalmist himself used language not much different than mine here, when he described and praised the Law of the Lord as "sweeter far than honey, than honey in the comb." So then, an old St Nicholas or an ancient Santa stepping out of his sleigh to fill tiny shoes with sweet things. A young man, Jesus Christ striding forth from a tomb to fill our shoes with redemption, salvation, forgiveness, and grace. Gifts, gifts all around - gifts for our children, gifts for us, and a reminder - gentler, but as powerful as the preaching of John the Baptist -- a reminder that God is the Giver, the Giver of all. We receive, only ever and always receive, no matter our age, our worthiness, our preparation - receive all that is offered, placed before us, brought to us this morning. So then, you and I along with the children: look with excitement and wonder at your shoes, and see with what wonderful things they are filled - nothing less than the redeemed, saved, chosen, beloved you.