Tuesday 6 December 2016

Do You Know The Story Behind St. Nick’s Day?

Time to put those shoes out! St. Nick's Day is December 6.

 

For those who celebrate Christmas, this is the most magical time of year for kids and adults alike.
Dec. 25 is the big finale, but half the fun is the season leading up to the big day. From Advent calendars and the Elf on the Shelf to decorating and visiting Santa at the mall, there’s plenty to do throughout the month to prepare for the holiday. One of the most beloved pre-Christmas traditions is St. Nick’s Day on Dec. 6. This isn’t a holiday observed by every family who celebrates Christmas, but for those who do, it means children wake up to a special treat in their shoes. It also tends to mark the “official” start of the Christmas season for these families.
So how did this pre-holiday holiday start? What is its history? Turns out the legend of Santa Claus himself begins with a real saint, St. Nicholas. Born all the way back in the third century, St. Nicholas was known for his generosity to those in need and his love for children, according to the St. Nicholas Center. The name Santa Claus actually comes from St. Nicholas’ Dutch nickname, Sinter Klaas. Thanks to St. Nick, the idea of Santa Claus became popular all over the world, with the man in the red suit known as Christ Kind or Kris Kringle in Switzerland and Germany, according to history.com.
So how did St. Nick become the jolly, round fellow who comes down the chimney on Christmas Eve? You can partly thank Clement Clarke Moore, who wrote a Christmas poem for his daughters called “An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas.” No doubt you know the famous lines: “’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house; Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.”

So why celebrate St. Nicholas Day on Dec. 6? In the Catholic Church, St. Nick’s feast day is celebrated on the anniversary of his death, which is Dec. 6. The tradition of receiving small gifts from St. Nicholas began with Dutch children, who put out their shoes the night before so St. Nicholas could leave the gifts in them. This tradition was brought to America in the 1700s, according to biography.com.
So how is St. Nick’s Day celebrated today? A lot of people keep it old school and simply leave gifts in children’s shoes for them to wake up to in the morning. The St. Nicholas Center is full of other ideas from real families, such as making cookie plates for those who need a pick-me-up, throwing a neighborhood party, opening stockings filled with treats on this date instead of Christmas Day and performing small acts of kindness, to name a few. Try out a craft like a printable St. Nick ornament like this one from Catholic Icing. Or bake up some traditional St. Nicholas spice cookies with this recipe from the Kitchen Stewardship. If you’re feeling lazy, curl up on the couch and watch the Veggie Tales flick “St. Nicholas: A Joyful Story of Giving,” available on Amazon. There’s no wrong way to celebrate St. Nick’s Day, so have fun!
saint-nicholas-craft

St Nicholas' Day in the United States

St Nicholas' Day is an observance of European origin that is celebrated in some American communities on December 6.
Santa Claus bag full of Christmas presents with Christmas lights.
Gifts and treats for children on St Nicholas' Day.
©iStockphoto.com/Dejan Ristovski

Celebrate St Nicholas' Day

Children in families who celebrate St Nicholas' Day receive treats - including candy, cookies, small toys, or fruit - in stockings, socks, shoes or bags on December 6. Some churches have special services dedicated to the feast of St Nicholas on this day.

Public Life

St Nicholas' Day is an observance and not a federal public holiday in the US.

About St Nicholas' Day

The legendary figure of St. Nicholas is derived from Nicholas of Myra who officiated as a bishop in 4th century Greece. During his lifetime he developed a reputation for gift-giving by putting coins into other people's shoes, which accounts for many of today's Christmas traditions that involve leaving gifts in shoes or boots.
Some Europeans who immigrated to the United States brought with them beliefs, customs and practices associated with St Nicholas' Day. It has been recorded that celebrations associated with the observance took place in cities such as New York in the early 1800s.

Saint Nicholas Day

Date When Celebrated : Always December 6

St. Nicholas Day is today. Yes, there really was a christian Saint Nicholas. He lived in the country of Greece, just a couple hundred years after the birth of Christ. This day is in honor of Saint Nicholas and his life.
Saint Nicholas became a priest, and later, a Bishop of the early Catholic Church. True to the christian concept of giving up belongings and following Christ, St. Nicholas gave up all of his belongings. He was well known for giving to needy people, especially children. There are may stories and tales of him helping out children in need.
The practice of hanging up stockings originated with Saint Nicholas. As the ancient legend goes, Saint Nicholas was known to throw small bags of gold coins into the open windows of poor homes. After one bag of gold fell into the stocking of a child, news got around. Children soon began hanging their stocking by their chimneys "in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there".
It wasn't until the 1800's that the spirit of St. Nicholas' life evolved into the creation of Santa Claus. And, this happened  in America. Santa Claus emerged (or evolved) from the stories and legends of St. Nicholas. Santa Claus was kind and generous to children. Unlike "St. Nick", Santa Claus is largely a non-religious character.

The three pictures on this page, are a good example of the evolution from St. Nicholas and his practices, through to the arrival of Santa Claus and the traditions of modern Christmas.
Have a happy St. Nicholas Day.

Origin of St. Nicholas Day:
Final Word :
St. Nicholas Day has been celebrated for hundreds and hundreds of years. It commemorates the death of this very special, very holy person on December 6th. Record keeping was not perfect in his time. His death is believed to have been in either 345A.D., or 352 A.D.

Monday 5 December 2016

Happy Saint Nicholas Day - Happy Nicholas Day

Happy Saint Nicholas Day - Happy Nicholas Day

Happy Saint Nicholas Day to our Christian Friends

 

Faye and the entire Care Team of Abington Caregivers

“Home the Best Medicine”

 

Happy Saint Nicholas Day to our Christian Friends   The entire Care Team of Delta Homecare “Your Home is Your Best...

Happy St. Nicholas Day

For many of us, there was much to discover this morning! Whose first glance inspected the freshly cleaned and filled up shoes in front of the door, needed a second look to discover the effects of yesterday's hurricane across Northern Germany. Snow and fallen branches, how it happened to be here in Hildesheim, obviously were the milder impact of "Xaver". We really hope that the storm has not damaged much in your regions and everyone had a great start today. We wish you a happy St. Nicholas Day and a merry weekend of second Advent!

 

Happy St. Nicholas Day – St. Nicholas vs Santa Claus


On December 6 comes the feast of the Christmas saint, St. Nicholas, although most of our celebration of this feast comes on his vigil, December 5.

We find a puppet show a delightful way to tell his story, explain his relation to the Christ Child, and introduce the hanging of stockings for his feast day.

St. Nicholas was really a Turk born in Asia Minor. For a long time he was Bishop of Myra (near the southern coast of Turkey to the right of the Island of Rhodes – in case you look for it on a map).

An orphan, he grew in love of God, became a priest, and made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to venerate the places of our Lord’s life.

On the voyage, a terrible storm threatened to sink the ship, but by his prayers all were saved.

For this reason he is venerated as patron of boatmen, fishermen, dock workmen, and sailors.

Returning to his native land, he was made a bishop; his generosity and love for the poor and for children, as well as his many miracles, endeared him to Christian people all over the world. 
 
 

 

 

St. Nicholas Day – When is St. Nicholas day in 2016?

Saint Nicholas Day 2016

St. Nicholas Day 2016 countdown is started. It is a Christian festival celebrated in many countries around the world. Saint Nicholas is mainly celebrated concerning his image of bringing gifts and praying in mass. Saint Nicholas is well liked among children especially in Europe because the saint was known as gift bringer.
St. Nicholas Day 2016 Poster
St. Nicholas Day 2016
The legendary figures like the American Santa Claus and British Father Christmas are obtained from the stories of Saint Nicholas. Nowadays, also most children wait for Santa Clause and is very popular among children.

When is Saint Nicholas Day 2016?

Saint Nicholas Day 2016, celebrated on different days in the was and west. The western Christian countries celebrate the day on December 6, and the eastern countries celebrate it on December 19th. Commonly also known as the feast day of Saint Nicholas.
Saint Nicholas Day 2016 countdown
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Saint Nicholas Day in Different Languages

  • English – Saint Nicholas Day 2016
  • Hungarian – Télapó Mikulás 2016
  • French – Saint-Niclas 2016
  • Spanish – Día de San Nicolás 2016
  • German – Nikolausag 2016

St. Nicholas day Quotes and Wishes

Every festival is incomplete without celebrating it by means of Wishes. We have collected some best st. nicholas day quotes and wishes for you to share with friends and family members. You can simply copy and paste any of the following St. Nicholas Day wishes to use as social media post, status. Even you can use this Saint Nicholas quotes on greetings cards.

Saint Nicholas day Quotes

  • “As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky. So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, with the sleigh full of toys, & St. Nicholas too…!!!”
  • “Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction…!!!”
    “Happy Saint Nicholas Day”
  • “The heretic is always better dead. And mortal eyes cannot distinguish the saint from the heretic…!!!”
    Poet: George Bernard Shaw…!!!
    “Happy Saint Nicholas Day”
  • Everybody loves St Nicholas because St Nicholas loves everybody.
  • Once again St. Nicholas Day
    Has even come to our hideaway;
    It won’t be quite as fun, I fear,
    As the happy day we had last year.
    Then we were hopeful, no reason to doubt
    That optimism would win the bout,
    And by the time this year came round,
    We’d all be free, and safe and sound.
    Still, let’s not forget it’s St. Nicholas Day,
    Though we’ve nothing left to give away.
    We’ll have to find something else to do:
    So everyone please look in their shoe!” – Anne Frank
St. Nicholas Day wishes
St. Nicholas Day wishes
  • Alas! How dreary would be the world if there was no Santa Claus! There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. Happy St. Nicholas day 2016.
  • The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic Gods giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves.
    -St. Nicholas of Myra

St. Nicholas Day Wishes and images

Saint Nicholas day wishes are used on December 6th. We have provided few best st. Nicholas day wishes to be shared on the day. You can also download free Saint Nicholas day 2016 images and pictures from here and use it for personal purpose.
  • May St. Nicholas’s magic shine on you and his gifts of love may rain on you.
  • May you get everything you wished for. Happy Saint Nicholas Day 2016.
  • Follow ur saint, follow with accents sweet, Haste you, sad notes, fall at her flying feet. There, wrapped in cloud of sorrow, pity move, & tell the ravisher of my soul I perish for her love…!! Happy St. Nicholas Day
  • May your shoes be filled with Love, perspective and good health on this holy day. Happy St. Nicholas Day. Happy St. Nicholas Day

St. Nicholas Day images

Saint Nicholas day image with christmas tree
Decemner 6th, St Nicholas Day
St. Nicholas Day wishes
St. Nicholas Day wishes
Happy Saint Nicholas Day 2016
Happy Saint Nicholas Day 2016
Happy St. Nicholas Day
Happy St. Nicholas Day

Saint Nicholas Day Celebrated around the world

St. Nicholas day 2016 will be celebrated across the major part of the world. You can have an idea about the countries celebrating St. Nicholas day in 2016. Also read how to celebrate saint Nicholas day with friends and family members.

St. Nicholas Day 2016 in France

Alsace, Nord-Pas-De-Calais is the known as the place where Saint Nicholas principally originates from and as patron in Lorraine. Donkey with a basket tied to him brings baskets filled with treats and gifts for children. On December 6, families come together, where the elderly tells stories about the saint and the whole family awaits the Saint on the day.
A popular story of St. Nicholas which is still very much liked by children even these days is the story of three boys who got lost in the cold. A butcher invites the three boys by tempting them, where he kills all of them and salt them in a tub. But with help of Saint Nicholas the boys were brought to life and returned to families. Saint Nicholas is not only known as a gift bringer but also a protector of children.
Most events in France during this day show the saint carrying children in a barrel. Kitchens are very busy during the day as spiced gingerbread biscuits, and brioche in the shape of the saint are baked. Poems and stories of the saint are taught to children, and many children make crafts resembling the saint giving present and treats to children.

St. Nicholas Day celebratiob in America

Saint Nicholas is not celebrated nationwide but mainly cities who are influenced by German culture and traditions. The cities that celebrate Saint Nicholas Day similar to the German culture are Saint Louise, Milwaukee, Virginia, Evansville, Newport News, Indiana, Texas, Cincinnati, Fredericksburg and Ohio. As similar to some European countries, in the United States as well people put shoes outside of their room. Some also hang empty sock by the fireplace a day before Saint Nicholas Day.
These traditions have been going for a long time and still are followed by many. It is believed Saint Nicholas to come and fill the socks or shoes with gifts and treats. Most Americans celebrate Christmas in addition to Saint Nicholas Day even though some rituals being same.

Bethlehem

Two kilometres from Bethlehem, the town of Beit Jala of which the saint is a patron. It is believed the saint spent four years of his life in the holy land. On Saint Patricks Day a gathering is held in Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas where all celebrate by praying. The day is celebrated by parades and exhibitions in the city.

German-Speaking Countries

In northern Germany, people put their boot outside the door on the night of December 5th (St. Nicholas Day) believing the boots will be filled with gifts by Saint Nicholas. The boot is referred to as Nikolaus-Stiefel. Parents tell children that their shoes will be filled with gifts only if they have behaved well and been  good. If the have not then a stick will be in the boots instead of presents.
Sometimes people dress as Saint and ask the children if they have behaved well or not. Nowadays the practice is performed by Father Christmas is known as Weinactsmann. Among Catholic Christian, Saint Nicholas image is in a dressed man on a horse and being welcomed by people. The tradition is annual, and the saint is known as to love children.
In Austria, Krampus the beast or evil creature comes with Saint Nicholas. The beast is known to punish children if they behaved badly. On the first week of December, most men dress up as Krampus to scare off children who misbehave. Saint Nicholas carries gifts and presents whereas the Krampus carries coal. There are many Variations followed by many countries.

Malta

Saint Nicholas feast is celebrated on last Sunday in June and is the patron saint of Siggiewi. A church dedicated to the saint was built between 1676 and 1693. The restoration of the old church is undergoing.

Ireland

The saint from which the Santa clause is influenced was buried 800years ago in Newton Jerpoint in Kilkenny. Myra which is now in Turkey was the saint was originally buried. In 1169, the body was moved to Italy, but some say a distant relative of the saint Nicholas de Freinet took it back to Ireland.
The family of the saint built a church in memory of the saint. A part of the church is where the remain of the saint is.

Italy

The celebration in Italy is called Festa di San Nicola which is celebrated on Seventh to Ninth May. On the eighth of May, the relic of Saint is taken on a boat with other boats following. O December 6th, unmarried women pray and have to 7 times turn a column for a good husband d and married life.The saint is known to protect children and virgins. Similar traditions are practised in many places like in Sassari, where on this day patron of the city gives away gifts to women  in need to get married.
For some this festival is of more significance than Christmas. Like in the provinces Trieste, Udine and Belluno gifts are given to children and fair is organised in the first week of December.
Celebrate and pray Saint Nicholas Day with family and he will protect your family. Also, pray for others and the world.

Reference website 
1 – Kristinschell
2 – http://www.littlemorechurch.org/
http://stnicksday.com/