December 19th is an important slava, or patron saint day, for many Serbs.  It is the slava for Saint Nicholas.  Many may think of Santa Claus or St. Nick, but that is not what Serbs think of.  Saint Nicholas was an archbishop in the 4th century.  His quiet acts of charity are well-known, but not well known is that he gave away his inheritance to the poor after his parents died.  He lived for the Lord, even continuing to share the Gospel while in prison for his faith.

Pray that Serbs will see beyond the person to see the Savior who gave His life so that we might live.  Jesus came to earth, not as a flashy king, but as a lowly servant.  Philippians 2 says:

Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Pray that all Serbs will bow before Jesus today.