When do we celebrate st nicholas

This is similar to the American Santa Claus custom, although the dates are different. Also similar to American custom, the children may leave a wish list for Nikolaus to pass on to the Weihnachtsmann Father Christmas or the Christkind for Christmas. Heiligabend — Dezember Christmas Eve is now the most important day of the German celebration.

Families with young children often keep the living room or other room closed off, revealing the Christmas tree to the excited youngsters only at the last minute. The decorated Tannenbaum is the center of the Bescherung , the exchanging of gifts, which takes place on Christmas Eve, either before or after dinner.

Neither Santa Claus nor St. Nicholas brings children their gifts for Christmas. In religious families, there also may be readings of Christmas-related passages from the Bible. Knecht Ruprecht is a term widely used in many parts of Germany. In Austria and Bavaria he is known as Krampus. Also called rauer Percht and many other names, Knecht Ruprecht is the anti-Santa escort, who punishes bad children.

Nowadays he is often a more kind, less menancing character, but in parts of Austria and Bavaria, Krampus remains a rather nasty figure. Wotan, aka Percht, ruled over battles, fate, fertility and the winds.

When Christianity came to Germany, St. Nicholas was introduced, but he was accompanied by the Germanic Knecht Ruprecht.

Today both can be seen at parties and festivities around December 6. It is said that he borrowed at least a couple of features from the Palatine Pelznickel he knew as a child in creating the image of the American Santa Claus — the fur trim and boots. He carries a sack full of apples and nuts that he gives to the children.

In various areas of the Odenwald, Pelznickel also goes by the names of Benznickel , Strohnickel , and Storrnickel. The term used to be confined mostly to the northern and mostly Protestant areas of Germany, but has spread across the country in recent years. You can even rent a Weihnachtsmann in most larger German cities. Nicholas, or Santa Claus. The German Weihnachtsmann is a fairly recent Christmas tradition having little if any religious or folkloric background. In fact, the secular Weihnachtsmann only dates back to around the midth century.

The first image depicting a bearded Weihnachtsmann in a hooded, fur mantle was a woodcut Holzschnitt by the Austrian painter Moritz von Schwind Over the years, the Weihnachtsmann became a rough mixture of St.

Nicholas and Knecht Ruprecht. A survey found that German children were split about evenly along regional lines between believing in either the Weihnachtsmann or the Christkind. But today a similar survey would show the Weihnachtsmann winning out in almost all of Germany — except for most Catholic areas.

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Awareness Historical Military. Singles Day. Veterans Day. Special Interest. Menu National Today. Log in Sign up. History of St. Nicholas Day St. Nicholas Day timeline. French nuns started giving candy and gifts to needy children on Feast Day.

Nicholas the patron saint of? When did St. Nicholas die? He died on December 6, AD at 73 years old. Why do we celebrate St. Nicholas day? How to celebrate Have a feast! Help someone in need Just like St. Decorate your own stocking or special St. Nicholas boot. He was born of Greek descent He grew up in the village of Patara, outside of Myra. Nicholas arrives that night and becomes aware of what happened to the boys.

Going to the barrel he taps it with his staff and the boys are restored to life and thank him before continuing on their way. In the other version it's three school boys, no mention of where their from or even that their from a boarding school Only that their traveling home for Christmas and stop at an inn.

The inn keeper and his wife are evil people who kill the boys in their sleep and chop their bodies up before stuffing them in pickle barrels. Nicholas arrives at the inn and goes to the basement where the barrels are stored. Invoking the name of Christ he commands the boys to rise and be whole again, which they promptly do and are able to be reunited with their families.

Both versions of the story are supposed to be an example of a miracle he supposedly preformed though scholars point to such stories as appearing centuries after his death. The three gold balls that served as the dowry for the poor man's daughters are referenced in the universal symbol for pawnbrokers, for whom Nicholas also serves as patron saint.

In the Netherlands and Belgium St. Nicholas arrives via boat in November and kids put their shoe near the heater used to be the fire often with a carrot for his white dappled horse and sing Sinterklaas songs. Sinterklaas Eve, so December 5th, is gift giving time. Thanks for sharing! We love the tradition of carrot for his horse.

Our tradition of carrots for reindeer are so reminiscent of this! The idea of having gift giving early in Advent and separating it from the focus on the meaning of Christmas is also lovely.

Thank you for the story of Saint Nick. I work for sisters at a convent. I told them your side of the story. They loved hearing it. They said your are close and I laughed. Thanks again and have a good holiday! Skip to main content. You are here Everything Almanac. Nicholas Day Nicholas Day Traditions, History, and More. By The Editors.

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