Saint Nicholas, bishop of Myra, is undoubtedly one of the most popular saints honored in the Western world. In the United States, his memory has survived in the unique personality of Saint Claus — the jolly, rotund, white-bearded gentleman who captivates children with promises of gifts on Christmas Eve. Considered primarily as the patron saint of children, Nicholas is also invoked by sailors, merchants, bakers, travelers and pawnbrokers, and with Saint Andrew is honored as the co-patron of Russia.
Yesterday we got ready for St. Nicholas with the Demi book
We listened to the Sabourins read The Real Santa and St. Nicholas Gets the Goods.
Before going to bed last night, the boys put their shoes out on the porch with carrot sticks for St. Nicholas' donkey. They woke up to this
They were so excited. I love that Playmobil sells a St. Nicholas.
I found the pictures for the coins over at Shower of Roses.
Happy St. Nicholas Day!
3 comments:
Sarah walked over and for that last picture said "Sinterklaas en de engel!" (St Nicholas and the angel)
I still think its interesting that you guys celebrate Sinterklaas a day after we do. And also that for you he has a donkey. Here he has a white horse. Culture is a funny thing. Next year I should send you some dutch Sinterklaas stuff- for fun and educational purposes!
I would love that!
He really isn't celebrated much at all here because he has been eclipsed by Santa Claus. But it does seem to be coming back(slightly) as a tradition.
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/who-travels-with-st-nicholas/
He has a few different traveling companions.
that was interesting reading. I liked how it said that over here, the horse's name is sometimes Schimmel or Amerigo. Schimmel isn't a name- its a race of horse. A few years ago, in a movie, they named the horse Amerigo.
As for the Zwarte Pieten...well, I always felt it was kind of racist- but people here claim that its not that they are black of skin- they are blackened by the chimney soot. However, a few years ago, we had Gekleurde Piet (coloured Pete)- every colour of the rainbow. I don't know if they are still doing that- but probably to some degree.
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