St. Nikolaus’ Day

St. Nikolaus' Day, celebrated on December 6th in Germany and many European countries, is favorite holiday of all children, as it is a gift-giving day. (Heck, it is a favorite day of mine, if gifts are involved.) St. Nikolaus is the patron saint of all kids, bakers and seamen.

The story of St. Nikolaus, the bishop of Myra in Minor Asia who died on December 6th, 343, dates back to the 4th century. History tells us that he was in the company of Knecht Ruprecht ("Knecht" meaning "servant"). Historically, Ruprecht was a dark and sinister figure wearing a tattered robe with a big sack on his back in which, as a legend says, he would put all naughty children. As the gift-giving function of St. Nikolaus began to shift to the events of the Christmas season and an emphasis on the birth of Christ, Knecht Ruprecht became the servant and companion of the Christchild. In this role Ruprecht, became the patron saint of Christmas and was called "Weihnachtsmann," Father Christmas, or Santa Claus.

Here’s a photo of St. Nickolaus at one of last year’s Christmas markets.



A little different from “Santa Cycle Dudes” we saw this last weekend in Hamburg.





Originally, children left hay and straw for St. Nicholas’ horses but now they simply put a shoe or boot outside their bedroom door, window, or by the fireplace on the evening of December 5th, hoping to find it full of sweets, biscuits, nuts ,and fruit the next morning.

Another tradition kept for this day is baking Stutenkerl, or Printenmann (e.g. gingerbread). Not being the baker, I’ll opt to follow the gift giving tradition (smile).