Nikolaus: Time to be a child again
Nikolaus is a German tradition pertaining to the Byzantine Bishop of Myra, St. Nikolaus. He lived in between the 3rd and the 4th century and is known to have performed numerous kinds of wondrous acts most of which were accorded to the children of his time. Among his most revered miraculous acts was when he brought a child into the lives of a childless couple, in another instance he is known to have brought back to life the murdered child of another couple and is also credited to have saved the lives of children from drowning.
As it happens in history, such figures get canonised and similarly, St. Nikolaus thus became the patron saint of children. Today, his birth anniversary is a matter of celebration across the Christian world. In the 16th century, at the time of the reformation movement however this public holiday was done away with and the gift exchanging ceremony was in-fact moved to a later date that is, Christmas.
Furthermore, as is the case with traditions, there are numerous regional variations to them. Take for example the United States. In the US the figure of Nikolaus and Santa Claus became synonymous. The local people would dress up like St. Nikolaus and distribute gifts among children on Christmas Eve. Furthermore, in Germany, like the rest of Europe, children would put their boots or Stiefel outside in the hope the saint blessing them with some gifts and goodies of all kinds. The popular figure of St. Nikolaus is depicted in such a manner that he carries a book of sins which further tells him who is to receive the presents and who is to not. The children who have been unruly or not been ideal, their boots are then he fills with twigs which are bound to represent a rute or a whip.
Saint Nicholas’ Day is observed on the 6th of December in all the Western Christian countries on the other hand the day falls on the 19th of December in the Eastern Christian countries. These times are marked with a very strong festive spirit and worshiping services.
In the German speaking countries
This tradition is still has strong followers and is cherished by the children to a great deal. Within the Roman Catholic sections of southern Germany, take for example Bavaria, the figure of St. Nikolaus or Sankt Nikolaus is represented by a man who has a flowing beard who carries a staff along with a bishop’s miter. Prior to the day of Sankt Nikolaus’s anniversary German households thoroughly clean their houses and children particularly dress well in fine, clean clothing. Children are especially required to polish and mend their shoes at the same time be prim and proper. All of this is done in preparation of the saints visit.
Just the night before, on the eve of St. Nicholas Day children put their cleaned shoes or boots outside. Along with the shoes there is always a letter for the saint and carrots along with a few other food items for either the saint’s white horse or his donkey. All these items are neatly placed outside, generally on the pavement outside the house and sometimes also under the bed or near any window of the house.
Furthermore, as per the myth, St. Nikolaus carries a book of sin with him. Through this book he is able to find who deserves goodies and the others who don’t usually get potatoes, coal or twigs. Children on the other hand try their best to please the saint. In Germany they practice and recite poems along with songs to get into the good books of the saint. Children also are known to make little presents for the saint and this process becomes a community affair. Herein, neighbours and friends get together to help each other in making the best gift along with singing together and all in all have a great time.
Christians are also known to make or simply purchase an Advent wreath along with candles and on typically light the candles by placing them within the wreath. After the prayers are sung usually, the parents or the grandparents narrate one or the other Biblical tale and the entire family cuddles in a single blanket and eventually go to sleep. A typical site on the roads is of a man dressed as the saint and going to each child asking if she or he has been good and upon their response blessing them with chocolates or goodies of various kinds. The usual companion of the saint is his white horse or sometimes a donkey and seldom a Ruprecht.
In Stuttgart and other areas there are some local customs as per which the children dress up as the saint himself and then go on travelling from door to door. They knock on the doors and ask for treats or sweats. This is very much similar to the Halloween tradition in the United States.
One can usually find the saints chapels and/ or shrines near about a waterbody. This is because he is also the patron saint in the Mosel. He is known to protect the river people of the region from danger. Historically, since the time of the Celts and Romans, the ships or boats that were towed upriver on the Mosel either by hand or with the help of horses or oxen. This job was quite dangerous and one would occasionally hear cries of death along the river. St. Nikolaus would protect these people from all sorts of harm. Eventually various fraternities and festivals came about celebrating the saint. These ancient day festivals are still observed and more prominently in Bernkastel, Reinsport and Urzig.
Today, in Germany as well one can find a crossover between Nikolaus and Santa, and Father Christmas. These influences have spread far and wide mostly because of the popular television shows and departmental stores. Even on the 5th of December, on the eve of St. Nicholas Day one is bound to find products which resemble Santa more than the saint.