Caution: Please do not let this page lie around where children of readable age, and still believe in Santa, might see it.
Likewise, any reader who believes that Santa represents the core or essence of Christmas should abstain from reading any further.
The publication date for this article is Dec. 4. So, tomorrow, Dec. 5 is Saint Nicholas Eve and Dec. 6 is Saint Nicholas Day.
What does all this mean?
A man named Nicholas lived in present-day Turkey 1,700 years ago. He was Greek, in a part of the Eastern Roman Empire that was part of Greece at that time. He was born in 280 and died on December 6th 343 A.D. He was an early prominent Christian, after Emperor Constantine declared Christianity to be the state religion.
This man Nicholas became the Bishop of Myra. He became known far and wide as a wise, just and generous prince of the young Christian church. Several miracles were attributed to him for which he was canonized.
Much of his reputation and fame was due to the fact that he was close to his people. He visited his parishioners and helped out where help was needed. On the other hand, he chastised or even punished the wicked. He loved the children of his realm and brought them little presents or treats. He became known as the patron saint of children. However, sailors also adopted him as their patron saint.
The day of his death, Dec. 6, became one of the feast days in the Christian calendar.
So it is to this day, although not all denominations or branches of the Christian church keep such a calendar. The fame and reputation of Saint Nicholas spread far and wide.
Not only did his native Greece adopt him as its national patron saint, the Russian Empire did, as well. It is not surprising therefore that long after his death, Saint Nicholas is still celebrated. These hallmarks - generosity and justice - are remembered in many countries to this day. In the Netherlands and parts of Belgium, he is known as “Sint Nicolaus” or “Sintaklaas”.
On Dec. 5, Saint Nicholas Eve, he goes door to door dressed as a bishop and leaves little goodies or small presents for children, usually in wooden shoes set out for that purpose. He is accompanied by a slave boy called “Zwarte Piet” (Black Peter).
The adults share special cookies, chocolates and a rum punch or eggnog on this special occasion. In these regions, not much happens on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. It is a religious holiday which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
In the Catholic regions of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Nicholas also goes on tour from house to house after dark on Dec. 5. He usually wears a long white robe with a red stole around his neck and carries a shepherd’s staff. The gold trimmed mitre on his head and his pure white beard make him look every bit a saint.
He is always accompanied by a dark bearded, dirty-looking fellow in raggedy clothes known a" Knecht Ruprecht” or "Grampus," who carries the bishop’s sack. He also carries a chain and stick. He rattles the chain to scare the children, especially the ones who have not been well behaved.
The purpose of the visit of Saint Nicholas is to reward the children who have been good by filling their plates with nuts and cookies. For the bad ones, he has his helper rattle the chain and swing the stick and show them his now empty bag. That represents a threat to be carried away if the bad behaviour does not improve.
In those countries there are presents under a brightly lit tree on Christmas Eve but they are brought by the Christ Child (“Christkindl”). Saint Nicholas or Sinterklaas or Santa Claus have nothing to do with Christmas.
In North America, a poem entitled A visit from Saint Nichola” (commonly known as ‘Twas the Night before Christmas
) written by Clement Moore as a present to his children and published in 1823 changed all of that. It gave us Saint Nick at Christmas time as well as stockings and chimneys and reindeer. And then, in 1931 an ad for Coca Cola gave the world the roly-poly bearded man in a red suit with a wide black belt and a red, floppy hat.
Actually, this "American" Santa has spread all over the place. Not just Canada and Mexico but all over South America and Asia and making inroads in Europe as well. Of course, commercialism has lot to do with that. On the other hand, maybe, just maybe he is the rightful heir to the saintly bishop. Maybe, but not for me. As you can imagine, Santa Claus will not be bringing me anything for Christmas but I look forward to it just the same.
In the meantime, wishing everyone a “Happy Advent” season.
Morris Haugg is a member of the Amherst News Community Editorial Panel
