6. December - St.Nikolaus

How do we celebrate it?

 

Each year on December 6 we remember the death of Nicholas of Myra with a small celebration. On this day a man dressed like “Nikolaus” and another man dressed in dark brown walk from house to house to bring some bags full with nuts and mandarins to the children.
I just remember that he always told us stories about our behaviors out of his golden book and of course all kids are always a little worried what he would tell. Mysteriously, Nikolaus had a list of our bad behavior throughout the year in this book. How could he know? :)

The whole evening was a big miracle for me. How could he know so many things about me? What will happen if I would have behaved really badly?
Because you have to know that all children are really afraid of the man next to the Nikolaus. His name is “Knecht Ruprecht” or “Krampus” and he has a big brown sack with him and if children behave badly he is allowed to take them with him.
Once, I remember clearly, he took my brother with him but just down the stairs. I was really shocked but don’t of course parents and the men who act plan everything in advance.

So every year all children promise to be good next year and recite nice poems for them. 

What does his outfit look like?

He is usually pictured with a long white beard, a bishop's mitre and a red cloak, sometimes with a sack over his shoulder and a rod in his hand. Knecht Ruprecht is dressed with a long black or brown coat and a dark beard. Sometimes he wears little bells on his clothes and carries a switch with him. But especially „Knecht Ruprecht“ is very different in other towns.

Who are they?

Saint Nicholas of Myra was a bishop in the 4th century. Very little is known about the historical Saint Nicholas. However, lots of legends and folklore surround the bishop, who is now the patron saint of little children, sailors, merchants and students. He was known as a generous man, a secret gift giver, who put coins in shoes of those who were in need, and he had a great fondness for children. No surprise, he became the model of Santa Claus.

Before the Reformation, Saint Nicholas Day was the day children received their Christmas gifts. Reformer Martin Luther didn't approve the veneration of saints like Saint Nicholas. He "invented" the Christchild, a spirit-like figure with blonde hair and wings like an angel.

It took about 200 years until the Christchild was adopted by Catholic families in southern Germany and Austria. 

So nowadays we celebrate “Nikolaus” on the 6^th.December, because Nicholas of Myra died on that day in 346. And the 24^th.December is celebrated with a nice meal in the evening and presents which the Christchild brings us. But nobody has ever seen this angel. :)

At last I should say that there many other traditions around this special day. Some families put shoes out in front of the door and the "Nikolaus" put his presents in there, other celebrate it with singing songs on a fire. In every village there are different events organized but my favorite was always the tour with the old train. When suddenly the trains stops and the "Nikolaus" rides on a horse out of the forest. Even for adults it is really nice. :)

he explains it perfectly :) really funny! watch!