6 de decembrie: Saint Nicholas

Saint Nicholas, also called 
Nikolaos of Myra, was a historic Bishop of  Myra in Lycia. Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nikolaos the Wonderworker. He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and thus became the model for Santa Claus, whose modern name comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas, itself from a series of elisions and corruptions of the transliteration of "Saint Nikolaos".

Saint Nicholas primary virtue came to be seen as generosity to children—rooted in the stories of rescuing the desperate maidens with gold for their dowries and of saving three children or schoolboys from an evil fate. Nuns in France began leaving treats on Saint Nicholas Eve, December 5th, for the small children of poor families. St. Nicholas' gifts were usually: apples, oranges, nuts, and eventually sweets.

Nowadays, good children receive treats, candies, cookies, apples and nuts while naughty children receive lumps of coal. In Germany, children put a sock outside their bedroom doors on the eve of Saint Nicholas Day, and hope to find candy, coins and maybe a small gift in them. In the Netherlands, children put their shoes in front of their chimneys in hopes of finding chocolate or a small toy in their shoe when they wake.
Saint Nicholas Day children's gift-giving custom spread through the Low Countries, Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland and England. It took root across most of northern and central Europe, as far east as Romania.

On 6th of december we wanted to do this tradition with our kids, so we started making our own socks: each kid drew, painted and cut a  Christmas sock.
In the evening all the kids together sang Christmas carols in english, spanish, german and rumanian, and suddenly Saint Nicholas appeared!!!

 









 




Saint Nicholas had a golden book with the names of the good and bad kids, so he talked with the kids to remind them that there is some behaviour that they should change or keep if they are good. He fullfilled the socks with oranges, peanuts, juice, chocolates and a little toy and he gave socks to everyone.

We are so happy that Santa Nicholas came to visit us and gave us presents. It was a funny and exciting evening that we hope the kids won´t forget.

   Al :)