Growing up I had only known about Christmas and Santa Claus arrival on Christmas Day. I was never taught about St. Nicholas Day … Were you?
As I grew older I was taught about the reason we celebrate Christmas … the birth of the baby born in a manger, Jesus Christ.
Several of the Christmas movies would mention other names for Santa Claus including, Father Christmas and Saint Nicholas. However, I never knew that there was a specific day to celebrate St. Nicholas.
What is St. Nicholas Day? According to Google (yes, I had to look it up), it is a Christian observance and not a federal public holiday in the United States of America. Since it is not a federal holiday no businesses close to observe the day.
The traditions for St. Nicholas Day vary by country. They usually centered around generosity and give-giving. These traditions were influenced by the 4th-century bishop known for anonymously donating his wealth to the poor.
What are some of these traditions?
- Leaving Out Shoes: It is a common tradition in Europe and some American communities for children to leave their shoes or boots outside their bedroom doors or by their fireplace on the evening of December 5th.
- Gifts and Treats: Similar to Christmas, if the children have been good (aka on the nice list), then when they wake up in the morning on December 6th they will find their shoes (or boots outside) filled with small gifts (similar to Christmas stockings), candies, cookies, nuts, or fruits.
- Feasts and Events: This Day is also known as the “Feast of St. Nicholas.” It is celebrated with special meals and community events like the Saint Nicholas Day Celebration at Philipse Manor Hall.
- Focus on Giving: The central aspect of St. Nicholas Day is performing acts of kindness and helping individuals and families in need , mirroring St. Nicholas’s life of charity.
Celebrations vary by country. Have you (or do you) celebrated St. Nicholas Day? If so, how do you celebrate the day?
God Bless. Enjoy your weekend. Thank you for visiting and sharing your time and thoughts with us. I appreciate y’all very much.
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