But who is this mysterious St. Nicholas that reminds so much of Santa Claus?
According to ListVerse.com , St. Nicholas, who was the bishop of Myra during the third century, was a real person who was well known for good deeds that we associate with the holiday season. Nicholas is said to have worked as a sailor or fisherman, though it was likely that his family owned a business in managing a fishing fleet. When his parents died, Nicholas received his inheritance and is said to have given it all away to the poor. He was also known for coming to the defense of those falsely accused and helped to prevent their execution. Early on he was viewed as a saint by others.
A well-known and unusual deed St. Nicholas is recognized for is described in a legend about a terrible famine that struck the island of Myra. The legend says that a malicious butcher lured three children into his house and killed them to put their remains in a barrel to cure, planning to sell them as ham. St. Nicholas is said to have seen this horrific crime and was able to resurrect the three boys from the barrel.
The legend of St. Nick that has remained most popular is that of a poor man and his three daughters. Legend says that this man's daughters would remain unmarried because he did not have enough money to pay a proper dowry. When St. Nicholas heard of this man's sorrow, he wanted to help.
When nightfall came, St. Nick went to the poor man's home and filled the daughters drying stockings set out by the fire with money. This was thought to be the origin story of why we hang our stockings by the fire with care around this time of year.
St. Nick is known for gift-giving, but always wanted to be secretive due to his shyness and to save the pride of those he helped.
Today, the generous St. Nicholas is celebrated by many with a feast on Dec. 6.
So if your little girls or boys leave their shoes somewhere they shouldn’t tonight, a new tradition could be made by putting a small present in them… or a lump of coal.
This is a cute story taken from germanfoodie.com
When our daughter was very young, around five or so, she thought that the shoe thing worked so well, she would try it again the following night. I was of course endeared to how much the child believed in this, so the next morning she again found a little treat in her shoe. As children are WAAAAY to smart for their own good – or their parents’ – true believer that she now was, she put the shoe out AGAIN. And St. Nick started to get a little nervous. But how cute that she should believe in this so implicitly, right? So she found another treat that next morning. And consequently put the shoe out again that night. The business model worked for her, so why not pursue it?
I decided it was time for an intervention.
The next morning, instead of a treat, St. Nicholas had written her a short note, thanking her for her efforts and explaining that he needed to save some treats for the other children. He also promised he would be back the following year. As I nervously read it to her, I thought she would take it to heart, start crying or something. Instead she just matter-of-factly stated, “OK.” Shrugged and proceeded to do something else.
They grow up way too fast.
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Philly and I both celebrated this holiday when we were little and we continue the tradition today. The funny thing about Philly (as I learned from my mother-in-law) is that he too, understood the "more is better" concept a little too well. On the eve of St. Nicholas day, it has been reported that when my husband was a little lad, he put out EVERY.SINGLE.PAIR.OF.SHOES.HE.OWNED--including boots. I guess he had high hopes that, hey, while you're here, jolly old fella, you may as well fill em all up.
Don't forget to put your shoes out tonight!
Happy St. Nicholas Day Eve to all who celebrate!
Karen, you must have put your teacher panties on this morning, cause this is so informative! I knew the story of St. Nick and the dowry money, but the pickle barrel? Gross. Cute stories at the end, too :) Happy St. Nick day tomorrow!!
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