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Saint Nicholas

Mr. Dad
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Well tonight St Nick visits to bring treats for the kids. For those of you not familiar... St. Nick was a bishop in Turkey I think from the 1600s or something. He is the Patron Saint of Children. Unlike Santa, he was real. Sorry, if I just ruined if for any of you. Anyways, the tradition is to put your shoe (we use a stocking) outside your bedroom door or by the fire. He then brings various treats the night of Dec 5.

I always loved this holiday, because it got me through until Christmas as a kid. We usually give our kids a book, a piece of chocolate or two, and a small toy. Curious who else celebrates this, and what do you do and give for this holiday?


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Submitted by Mr. Dad on Fri, 12/05/2008 - 12:59pm.

ticktock
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...

I've never heard of this tradition. Neat. I didn't think St. Nick was actually canonized.

http://www.sciencebasedparenting.com


Fri, 12/05/2008 - 3:18pm

2togo
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Yes, we celebrate this.

Yes, we celebrate this. Chocolate coins (makes sense of you know the story), other treats and a small gift in their Christmas stockings.

St. Nicholas lived during the 3rd-4th centuries, not the 1600's.


Fri, 12/05/2008 - 4:07pm

Mr. Dad
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Clarification on St. Nick

Ticktock - the fictional Santa Claus (often referred to as St. Nick) is obviously not canonized for he isn't real. The myth of Santa Claus was born out of St. Nick, which was celebrated on Dec 6th (so he comes night of Dec 5th). St Nick is where the idea of giving gifts and so forth for Christmas come from. The real St. Nicholas was canonized.


Fri, 12/05/2008 - 9:54pm

JohnGilroy
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Canonised by who?

Just curious who you think canonised Saint Nicholas?
To my shame I outed fake St Nick to an 8 year old by accident recently. I was queueing to check out some toys and a boy behind me asked about what I was buying. I said "This is a santa gift for my little boy" and went on for a few moments oblivious to his livid Mom almost hissing at me. When I realised what I had done I apologised and she said "He's only eight" and was obviously very upset. Not trying to minimize my crime but I had the whole thing figured out at 6 or at least I had been told by some kid at school.
At what age do darn kids these days stop believing (or quit pretending to believe) in Santa?
Or how long do you plan on letting your kids believe in Santa / maintaining the charade?


Sat, 12/06/2008 - 12:12am

ticktock
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Nerd Patrol

He actually wasn't ever canonized. I had to double-check the ever-reliable wikipedia on that. I just think that's odd that he is called the "patron" saint of anything if the church never canonized him. I think it's about time. The letter writing campaign starts here.

http://www.sciencebasedparenting.com


Sat, 12/06/2008 - 9:14am

JohnGilroy
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I have no idea when the

I have no idea when the Roman Church started canonising people but lots of early saints are grandfathered in from prechristian stories. Some like St Patrick (or Saint Nicholas) are a combination of one or more legendary and historical figures, others like St Bridget are prechristian deities adapted when the population converted to Christianity.
Pretty much every old Christian site in Ireland was sacred site in preChristian times too.


Sat, 12/06/2008 - 1:56pm

Albyonfloats
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4 a bunch of guys going 2 hell, we know a lot about Christianity

Just a thought....wonder what Pastor Bowling shirt thinks about Santa (Satan?) Claus.

Making it look difficult. Living the dream.


Sat, 12/06/2008 - 4:26pm

MileHiDad
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Never Heard

I had never heard of this till this year when the wife introduced our son to it. He thought it was cool... and I never heard him ask "why don't you have cool stuff in your stocking?"Wheeww!!
Free Beer Money Here


Sun, 12/07/2008 - 9:38am

Itux
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Sinterklass

I know Him as Sinterklass, a Bishop from Myra (now Turkey), that went to Spain and from there to Holland. He arrive at Holland on Dec 5th (at that time, the Netherlands was a kind of colony from Spain).

His helpers are called Zwarte Piets (Black Petes) and they put a gift in the shoe of good kids, but the kids have to be early in bed and they have to put a carrot on the shoe (for the horse of Sinterklaas). Sinterklaas has a BIG book full of kids names and behaviors, so if the kids were not good, Zwarte Piet will put a piece of coal or a bunch of willow branches.

One of the big differences between Sinterklaas and Santa Claus (Kerstman) is the Sinterklaas is just skin and bones, while Santa Claus is a fatty guy living in the north pole.

In my family, we still give some chocolate letter, and kruidnootjes on Dec 5th.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinterklaas

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Mon, 12/08/2008 - 12:40am

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