So far, many of you could have known..
But let me research a little and share with you a bit of information on Saint Nicholas and why it became a holiday with the tradition that comes with it..
Saint Nicholas:
The name Saint Nicholas in Greek is : Agios ( = saint ) Nikolaos ( = victory of the people ).
Saint Nicholas was born in the third century, around the year 270.
He was born in Patara, in the province of Lycia, in modern-Turkey.
He came from a rich family (his father was a salesman) and his parents raised him with Christian values.
His parents died in an epidemic when Nicholas was still young.
Following Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor" Nicholas spend his whole inheritance on the needy, sick and suffering people.
Nicholas dedicated his life to serving God and became Bishop of Myra, Turkey.
He became a known man for his care to the needy, his love for children and his concern for sailors and ships.
Under the Roman Emperor Dioclation, who persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith and was brought to prison. Along with many more bishops, priests and deacons.
The prisons were so full they didn't even have enough room for real criminals like murderers, thieves and robbers..
Eventually he got released and joined the Council of Nicaea in 325. A few years later, in the year 343 on the 6th of December, Bishop Nicholas died in Myra.
Bishop Nicholas was buried in his church Cathedral in Myra, where a relic, called Manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Bishop Nicholas. Years after his death he was claimed "holy", therefore he was called Saint Nicholas from then on.
The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, Saint Nicholas day, December 6th.
Legends of Saint Nicholas:
There are quite some legends about Saint Nicholas' life. Here are a few:
~ There lived a poor man with three daughters. In that time, a father would have to pay a dowry to have his daughter get married. How larger the dowry, the more chance the daughter was going to marry well.. This man was very poor, so his daughters had no chance to marry and were destined to go into slavory. On three different occassions a bag of gold appeared in their home, providing the needed dowries. These bags of gold, tossed through the window, were said to have landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. That is how the costume started of children hanging stockings and placing shoes near the fireplace.
~ A story that took place long after Saint Nicholas death. The townspeople of Myra were celebrating Saint Nicholas on the eve of his feast day when Arab pirates from Crete came into the district. They stole treasures from the Church of Saint Nicholas. As they were leaving town, they snatched a young boy, Basilios, to make into a slave. The emir, or ruler, selected Basilios to be his personal cupbearer, as not knowing the language, Basilios would not understand what the king said to those around him. For Basilios' parents, devastated at the loss of their only child, the year passed slowly, filled with grief. As the next St. Nicholas' feast day approached, Basilios' mother would not join in the festivity, as it was now a day of tragedy. Meanwhile, as Basilios was fulfilling his tasks serving the emir, he was suddenly whisked up and away. St. Nicholas appeared to the terrified boy, blessed him, and set him down at his home back in Myra. Imagine the joy and wonderment when Basilios amazingly appeared before his parents, still holding the king's golden cup. This is the first story told of St. Nicholas protecting children—which became his primary role in the West.
~ Another story tells of three theological students, traveling on their way to study in Athens. A wicked innkeeper robbed and murdered them, hiding their remains in a large pickling tub. It so happened that Bishop Nicholas, traveling along the same route, stopped at this very inn. In the night he dreamed of the crime, got up, and summoned the innkeeper. As Nicholas prayed earnestly to God the three boys were restored to life and wholeness. In France the story is told of three small children, wandering in their play until lost, lured, and captured by an evil butcher. St. Nicholas appears and appeals to God to return them to life and to their families. And so St. Nicholas is the patron and protector of children.
~ Several stories tell of Nicholas and the sea. When he was young, Nicholas sought the holy by making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. There as he walked where Jesus walked, he sought to more deeply experience Jesus' life, passion, and resurrection. Returning by sea, a mighty storm threatened to wreck the ship. Nicholas calmly prayed. The terrified sailors were amazed when the wind and waves suddenly calmed, sparing them all. And so St. Nicholas is the patron of sailors and voyagers.
Saint Nicholas has multiple names, given to him through the times, here are a few:
~ Bishop of Myra
~ Saint in Bari (his bones / relics were shipped to Bari, a town on the south coast of Italy, 1087)
~ Gift giver
~ Patron Saint (he became a patron to: mariners, bankers, pawn-brokers, scholars, orphans, laborers, travelers, merchants, judges, paupers, marriageable maidens, students, children, sailors, victims of judicial mistakes, captives, perfumers, even thieves and murderers!)
~ Wonder worker
Dutch tradition on Saint Nicholas day nowadays:
We Dutch people are (together with our Southern neighbors from Belgium and a part of Germany) the only country that celebrates Saint Nicholas day this commercially loaded..
We celebrate it on the evening before the 6th of December.
About a week before the 5th of December, Saint Nicholas arrives in the Netherlands (a national show!). That event will really take place (of course it's all a set up with actors!) and it will be broadcasted on television and watched by children and everyone who's interested in watching. =)
About a week before the 5th of December, Saint Nicholas arrives in the Netherlands (a national show!). That event will really take place (of course it's all a set up with actors!) and it will be broadcasted on television and watched by children and everyone who's interested in watching. =)
Saint Nicholas will arrive by steam boat. He will be wearing a white bishop's robe, including a red cape and mitre. With him he takes a bishop's crosier.
Along with him he has lots of mischievous assistants, black-skinned Moorish-clothed (from two centuries ago) young fellows, who help bring the presents to the families.
These assistants are called (translated) "black petes".
Saint Nicholas also has a beloved white horse, which is nowadays called (they made it up some time ago) "Amerigo".
On the evening of the 5th of December the families with children gather.
It is traditional to sing "Sinterklaas"-songs together and then open presents that Saint Nicholas has brought all the children that have been good in the past year (practically every child gets a few presents).
The bringing of presents is often done by placing a sack with presents outside the house or living room, after which a neighbour or parent bangs the door or window, pretending to be Saint Nicholas' assistant. Another option is to hire or ask someone to dress up as Saint Nicholas and deliver the presents personally.
When the children are small (to the age of 8) the children usually believe Saint Nicholas is real and exists.
When children no longer believe in Saint Nicholas being alive and bringing the presents for real, the tradition shifts to 'making surprises' for each other.
A month before the 5th of December, the family (or group that will celebrate together) will come together and "draw lots".
On each lot is another person's name with their wish for a present.
A budget is then decided and each person will buy a present for the person that was on their lot.
Then they'll make "A surprise", which is like a box decorated to the style of the persons hobbies for example, with the present somewhere in it. A poem has to be written too. The "surprise" has to be anonymous, so no hitting it's your product!
On the evening of the 5th of December the group will join and then the "surprises" will be gathered.
One by one the persons will get their "surprise", read the poem and find their present.
At the end of the evening the makers of the "surprises" will be known.
History of the Dutch tradition of Saint Nicholas:
Saint Nicholas hasn't always been celebrated the way as it is right now.
In the Middle Ages Saint Nicholas was celebrated on the 6th of December, by pupils.
One of the pupils would be chosen bishop, he was then assisted by his fellow pupils, who where boys (at that time only boys went to school) who painted themselves black and they got food and presents.
Sometimes they got a day off and money to celebrate Saint Nicholas day.
Later on they started to treat poor children too. That's how it became a national holiday.
The shoe became the place to find presents in.
On the evening before the 6th of December small presents and candy where placed at the fire place mostly for the small children.
In the 17th century Saint Nicholas had become the invisible child friend, educator and marriage maker. Up till 1845 Saint Nicholas didn't "show himself" in public nor in family circle. "Black pete" isn't even known yet.
Only after 1845 Saint Nicholas shows up in public, dressed like a bishop. Slowly in time "black petes" make their debut along side Saint Nicholas.
Another origin of Saint Nicholas day:
To make things even more confusing for people who have not known anything about Saint Nicholas..
There is a second reason for Saint Nicholas day as it is celebrated in the Netherlands.
In the Middle Ages a lot of people were converted to Christianity.
To not provoke the Dutch people, the leaders of the convertion let the Pagan celebrations slowly turn into Christian celebrations and replaced the Pagan gods with the Christian saints.
Saint Nicholas seems to have taken the place of Pagan's mightiest god, named Wodan.
Wodan was a fierce man with a wide cape, hat and a long beard. He rode a white horse through the air and held a spear in his hands.
He was assisted by two black ravens that informed him about the attitudes of the people.
Wodan was worshipped a lot and it seemed only a popular saint like Saint Nicholas was able to replace him..
There is a second reason for Saint Nicholas day as it is celebrated in the Netherlands.
In the Middle Ages a lot of people were converted to Christianity.
To not provoke the Dutch people, the leaders of the convertion let the Pagan celebrations slowly turn into Christian celebrations and replaced the Pagan gods with the Christian saints.
Saint Nicholas seems to have taken the place of Pagan's mightiest god, named Wodan.
Wodan was a fierce man with a wide cape, hat and a long beard. He rode a white horse through the air and held a spear in his hands.
He was assisted by two black ravens that informed him about the attitudes of the people.
Wodan was worshipped a lot and it seemed only a popular saint like Saint Nicholas was able to replace him..
Wodan, the Pagan's mightiest god.
I can see some resemblance, although Wodan looks scary ^^' but yeah, some think Saint Nicholas looks scary, so I'll keep it objective now! XD
Saint Nicholas, the original Father Christmas:
As many of you might not have thought; Santa Claus comes from Saint Nicholas..
I stumbled upon a comparison between Santa Claus and Saint Nicholas, which I thought was very good! =)
Here it is:
Santa Claus belongs to childhood;
St. Nicholas models for all of life.
Santa Claus, as we know him, developed to boost Christmas sales—the commercial Christmas message;
St. Nicholas told the story of Christ and peace, goodwill toward all—the hope-filled Christmas message.
Santa Claus encourages consumption;
Santa Claus encourages consumption;
St. Nicholas encourages compassion.
Santa Claus appears each year to be seen and heard for a short time;
St. Nicholas is part of the communion of saints, surrounding us always with prayer and example.
Santa Claus flies through the air—from the North Pole;
St. Nicholas walked the earth—caring for those in need.
Santa Claus, for some, replaces the Babe of Bethlehem;
St. Nicholas, for all, points to the Babe of Bethlehem.
Santa Claus isn't bad;
St. Nicholas is just better.
—J. Rosenthal & C. Myers
Just know that I like Saint Nicholas, and Christmas should be about celebrating the birth of Jesus, not the visit of Santa Claus! ^^ But that's just my view, I respect others thinking other wise! =)
Sources used:
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I know lòòòòts of information above.. ^^ but I like to share my own Saint Nicholas day celebration from this year with you!
My cousins were just in the age that they no longer believed in Saint Nicholas, so we have done the "surprise" thingy with the whole family (from my mother's side).
That's me, my sister and parents, my 2 cousins (they're siblings) and their parents, my aunt and my unofficial uncle and my grandma.. ^^ One happy family, small but happy XD
The only one missing was my uncle.. but he is really not a party person, besides he was playing Saint Nicholas at the house of one of his friends!^^
I had made a "surprise" for my cousin =) and my other cousin had made me a piano ^^ (because my hobby is playing the piano ^-^)
He got me a dummy (an empty booklet) and ink cartridges in the colors red, turqoise and black! ^^ I'm really happy!! =)
^^' but being me.. I left my presents at my cousins, because I thought my parents had taken the presents to the car already.. but they hadn't.. ㅡㅡㆀ
So now I'll have to go there myself on Thursday, because I have no other day off except the weekend XD but then my free travel pass is not permitted, so I have to pay for travelling.. ^^' I have thought this through already! ^^'
Buuuuuuut.. it'll be okay, cause I love to see them again! ^^
Byebye!! ^^ Write to you all.. LATER!! =D
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Always keep the faith.. DBSK FIGHTING! *~Maria
