Tahsas 12 — December 21

Michael the Archangel and the Three Children

Today is a happy feast day! Every month, on the twelfth day, we celebrate Michael the Archangel. He is one of the greatest of all the angels, sent by God to watch over God's people.

Long ago in a city called Babylon, there were three brave young friends named Ananias, Azarias, and Misael. A proud king named Nebuchadnezzar (say it: neb-uh-kud-NEZ-er) wanted everyone to bow down to a golden statue. But the three friends loved God, and they would only worship Him. So the angry king had them thrown into a furnace. The fire was so hot it could burn up anything.

But God sent Michael to take care of them! Michael went right into the fire and stood beside the three friends, like a fourth person. He brushed the flames away with his staff, and he made the inside of the furnace cool and gentle, like fresh morning dew on the grass. The fire did not touch them at all.

Inside the furnace the three friends were not afraid. They sang and praised God with happy hearts. And Michael told them a secret to hold onto: that one day, after a long time, Jesus the Savior would be born and would come to save us all.

Because Michael kept God's friends so safe, our Fathers the Apostles taught us to celebrate his feast. We thank God for Michael, who watches over us too.

Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers! Praised and exalted is He forever.— the song of the Three Children

Michael made the inside of the furnace as cool as the dew at the dawn of day.

Abba Samuel of Waldebba

We also remember a holy man named Abba Samuel. ("Abba" means "Father," a kind name for a holy man.) His parents loved God, and when Samuel grew up they taught him the holy books of the Church.

When Samuel was older he became a monk, giving his whole life to quiet prayer. He prayed and prayed, and he gladly helped the other monks with their work, grinding grain and carrying water. He ate only simple food, and that was enough for him.

Then Samuel went to live in the wild desert to be close to God. Something gentle happened there. The lions and leopards and other wild animals came to him, but they did not hurt him. They lay down softly and were calm beside him. Sometimes a lion would peek into his cave like a friendly sheep, and Samuel would pull thorns out of their paws and help heal their hurts.

God gave Samuel many gifts. Once when he crossed a deep river, the water did not put out the little fire he carried or ruin his book. When an evil spirit tried to scare him with frightening shapes, Samuel was not afraid, because he trusted God, and God is always stronger. At the very end of his life, Michael the Archangel carried Samuel up on his wings to see the bright city of heaven. Then Samuel died in peace and went home to God.

The Sixty Bishops Who Met Together

We remember sixty good bishops who once gathered together in one place. Each bishop was a church father who cared for many churches. They came to keep the true teaching of the Church safe and clear for everyone.

We thank God for wise leaders who work together to guard what is good and to take care of God's people.

Abba Khadre and Saint John the Confessor

We also remember two holy men. One is Abba Khadre (say it: KHAH-dreh), a faithful monk from a place called Dabra Aswan. The other is Saint John, who is called a Confessor, because he bravely told everyone that he loved God, even when that was hard to do.

Both of these friends spent their whole lives loving and serving God, and we ask them to pray for us.

The Church Leaders Who Taught About Forgiveness

On this day, long ago, many church leaders met together in the city of Rome. They came to talk about something very important: God's forgiveness.

A priest named Novatus was teaching something that was not true. He said that if a person did wrong, or was too afraid to say they loved God, then God would never forgive them, even if they were truly sorry. The church fathers knew this was wrong. They reminded everyone of two friends of God from the Bible. King David did wrong, but he said sorry to God. Peter, one of Jesus' closest helpers, was once too scared to say he knew Jesus. God forgave them both and loved them just the same.

The church fathers wanted everyone to hold onto the good news: when we are truly sorry and say so to God, He always forgives us. His forgiving love never runs out.

Our Lord Jesus Christ has placed repentance so that it may be found by everyone who is truly sorry.— the church fathers at Rome

Saint Anicetus and Saint Photinus

We remember two brave brothers, Anicetus (say it: an-ih-SEE-tus) and Photinus (say it: foh-TY-nus). They lived when a ruler did not want people to follow Jesus. But the brothers loved God so much that they were not afraid to say so.

God took special care of them. Once a fierce lion was let loose near Anicetus, but the big lion only padded up and licked his face, like a friendly pet! Another time the brothers were in great danger, and an angel of the Lord came and lifted them to safety. God protected them again and again.

Even when things were very hard, the brothers stayed close to God and prayed together. They were faithful all the way to the end, and they went home to be with God forever. Kind people who believed in Jesus carried them to a resting place, and signs from God showed how dearly He loved them.

Eusis, Abba Antonius, and John the Teacher

Last of all, we remember three more friends of God: Eusis (say it: AW-sis), Abba Antonius, and John, a teacher who came from Rome. A teacher in the Church helps people learn about God.

Each of them loved God and helped others know Him too. We thank God for all His holy friends, and we ask them to pray for us.