Christmas Time in Europe
St. Nicholas of Myra is a popular Christian Saint among children across Europe because of his reputation as a bringer of gifts. Both the North American Santa Claus and the British Father Christmas are legendary figures whose attributes derive from the myths surrounding St. Nicholas.
Widely celebrated in Europe, St. Nicholas' feast day, December 6th, kept alive the stories of his goodness and generosity. In Germany and Poland, boys dressed as bishops begged alms for the poor—and sometimes for themselves! In the Netherlands and Belgium, St. Nicholas arrived on a steamship from Spain to ride a white horse on his gift-giving rounds. December 6th is still the main day for gift giving and merrymaking in much of Europe. For example, in the Netherlands St. Nicholas is celebrated on the 5th, the eve of the day, by sharing candies (thrown in the door), chocolate initial letters, small gifts, and riddles. Dutch children leave carrots and hay in their shoes for the saint's horse, hoping St. Nicholas will exchange them for small gifts. Simple gift-giving in early Advent helps preserve a Christmas Day focus on the Christ Child.
Patron of Sailors and Voyagers
Sailors, claiming St. Nicholas as patron, carried stories of his favor
and protection far and wide. St. Nicholas chapels were built in many
seaports.
Several stories tell of Nicholas and the sea. When he was young, Nicholas sought the holy by making a pilgrimage
to the Holy Land. There as he walked where Jesus walked, he sought to
more deeply experience Jesus' life, passion, and resurrection. Returning
by sea, a mighty storm threatened to wreck the ship. Nicholas calmly
prayed. The terrified sailors were amazed when the wind and waves
suddenly calmed, sparing them all. And so St. Nicholas is the patron of
sailors and voyagers.
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