December 6th is St. Nicholas Day #StNicholasDay. I think we should celebrate St. Nicholas Day by baking Cookies for our friends and family. Would you like to join us while the Cookies are #baking we can read books about St. Nicholas and watch movies about St. Nicholas.
St. Nicholas Day falls on December 6th which celebrates and carries some connection to Christmas and Santa Claus, but there is much more to St. Nicholas than that. Although St. Nicholas partially inspired the Christmas and Santa Claus that we all know and love, St. Nicholas actually derives from a different kind of tale. Let’s learn about St. Nicholas and what Nicholas Day is about.
St. Nicholas derived from Nicholas of Myra and was a Bishop in 4th Century Greece. St. Nicholas was known for selling off his own items and then giving the money to the poor. St. Nicholas would commonly leave coins in people’s shoes and dedicated his entire life to serving people who were sick and suffering. This is how St. Nicholas gained his Saint status, and is what inspired St. Nicholas Day (also commonly known as Feast Day or the Feast of St. Nicholas).
One well-known story of St. Nicholas involves a dowry for a father’s three daughters. In the third century, it was common for fathers to offer money to prospective husbands. However, one poor father with three daughters did not have money to do this. St. Nicholas paid for all three daughters’ dowries by leaving gold in their shoes.
As time passed St. Nicholas Day began in different ways. In Italy, St. Nicholas was celebrated with feasts, gift-giving, and festivals. In other European Countries like Germany and the Netherlands, children would leave their shoes or special St. Nicholas boot in front of the fireplace or front door at night and find presents in them in the morning.
The history of St. Nicholas and his good deeds was part of the inspiration of the modern-day Santa Claus and Father Christmas, which is why there are some current traditions of leaving gifts in people’s boots or shoes (or stockings).
How to celebrate St. Nicholas Day
- St. Nicholas day is also commonly known as the Feast of St. Nicholas, and it’s widely celebrated in Europe. To celebrate St. Nicholas Day on December 6th, have a feast with your family and friends. There’s nothing wrong with splurging on food for a day.
- If you have the means and the opportunity act like St. Nicholas was known to do, and help someone in need or donate to an organization helping others Or give money to someone in need, or help a friend or family member with anything they need help with.
- Purchase a pair of cheap boots or DIY an old pair of boots if you have the means and the opportunity invite your friends and family to help you decorate your own stocking or special St. Nicholas boot which would make for a great decoration around St. Nicholas Day.
Facts About St. Nicholas Day
- St. Nicholas was buried in a tomb in Myra and water formed that’s believed to have healing powers, called the Manna of Saint Nicholas.
- St. Nicholas was born of Greek descent and he grew up in the village of Patara, outside of Myra.
- Nicholas means “people’s victory” which is the Greek meaning of the name.
- St. Nicholas was one of the youngest Bishop which he at just 30 years old.
- St. Nicholas was imprisoned by the Roman Emperor for seven years and eventually freed by Emperor Constantine, the first Christian Emperor.
Why People Love St. Nicholas
- We all love a reason to gather with loved ones and enjoy a large meal and St. Nicholas Day is widely celebrated this way, so start a new tradition with your family by enjoying a feast on December 6th.
- With a day about a historical figure that helped those in need, it’s hard not to want to do something nice yourself. St. Nicholas Day reminds people about helping others as that’s what St. Nicholas did his entire life.
- Something that’s unique about St. Nicholas Day is that everywhere people celebrates St. Nicholas Day differently.
- Did you know Italy celebrates with a feast and other European Countries celebrate with gifts hidden in shoes.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
