("Jolly Old Saint Nicholas," of course)
The 6th of December is a special day for children in Germany and likely many other countries. But while I am, of course, accustomed to references to St. Nicholas and St. Nick, I had always that was just another name for Father Christmas and Santa Claus. Apparently not.....
On the 6th in Germany, is a gift-giving day. When evening comes, St. Nikolaus (Nicholas) knocks on the door of homes and asks about the behavior of the children inside (think "naughty or nice," for which he had a book), including more or less quizzing the kids themselves, who in turn are supposed to recite or sing something or otherwise demonstrate their unique skills. Upon successful performing, the child then receives a gift. It strikes me as a bizarre form of "Trick or Treat" but with only the treat/performance element.
So where did this tradition come from? Based on my not-so-extensive internet search, this tradition came from the legend of St. Nikolaus, who died on 6 December in AD 343. What's interesting to note, though, is that St. Nikolaus had a sidekick called Knecht Ruprecht. Ruprecht was initially along for the ride to punish the bad children. In addition to putting them in the sack he carried, he was also known to distribute lumps of coal or stones to bad children children or whips with which the children would be beaten, as opposed to the sweets and good things given by St. Nicholas. However, one online source noted that over the years, Ruprecht became known as one serving baby Jesus and eventually became known as the patron saint of Christmas - Father Christmas or Santa Claus. I find this somewhat unlikely, but again, I don't really understand the tradition.
What also remains unclear to me is the relation, if any, between Knecht Ruprecht and Belsnickel (Belschnickel if you are a Preuscher). The latter was also said to have given lumps of coals and whips in the stockings of children on Christmas, though he seems to be considered a bit on the scary and evil side - at least moreso than Ruprecht. At the same time, Belsnickel is said to deliver socks or shoes of sweets on 6 December. But if you're a Preuscher, Belsnickel visits on New Year's Eve to, allegedly, deliver the things that Santa forgot when he visited on Christmas Eve (read: "after-Christmas sale").
In any event, the St. Nikolaus holiday is celebrated widely in Germany and, as I learned this week, in its friendly Lufthansa skies. On my flight last night, instead of the regular half-sandwich wrapped in cellophane, I received a small drawstring white cotton bag with Santa Claus embroidered on the front. It contained the half-sandwich, a clementine orange, some Lebkuchen, a piece of chocolate and little piece of paper that contained both a scratch 'n' sniff sticker of holiday scents as well as the following explanation:
"Every year on the 6th of December, it's an old German custom to celebrate St. Nicholas Day. On that morning St. Nicholas makes the eyes of all good children sparkle with joy. Because on the night before, he came with his big bag of treats and filled their boots with nuts, sweets or little surprises.
"We too would like to surprise you on St. Nicholas Day - with this little sachet full of goodies in the spirit of the season. After savoring the treats inside, you're welcome to take it home as a little memento of the Lufthansa St. Nicholas. Enjoy!"
Sweet, huh? I'm still wondering about the coal guys, but pleased that at least Lufthansa, if not Knecht, are looking out for my interests.
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