St. Nicholas Day

picture from acelebrationofwomen.org 

Did you leave out a shoe or stocking last night and wake up with treats in them? That is a popular tradition associated with today. St. Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 6 each year in countries all over the world.
So who is this Nicholas anyway, and why does he have a day to celebrate him? Well, over the years, many stories and legends have been passed down about this selfless man. One of the very common ones is about a poor man in Myra, a town in what is now Turkey, who had three daughters. Eventually, the three daughters were ready to be married; however, their poor father could not afford the dowry that would raise the girls' chances of being married. With their financial circumstances, the daughters would most likely have to be sold into slavery. News of this family's situation reached Nicholas, who, touched by the story, anonymously snuck three bags of gold (one for each daughter) into their house over a fairly small period of time. Some legends have it that when he threw in the bags of gold through a window, they just so happened to land in a shoe. Later on, he would leave gifts for families while they were asleep in return for hay. Thus, the tradition was born. St. Nicholas became known as a gift giver, and people hopefully awaited presents from him. That hope still lives on today, particularly with children.

St. Nicholas VS Santa Claus
Many people are confused about what the difference between St. Nicholas and Santa Claus is, if there even is a difference! Hopefully ideas will be clarified if you keep reading below!
After stories of Nicholas's anonymous acts of kindness and generosity spread, families who lived in countries around the Middle East began to practice the "shoe tradition." When Dutch settlers went to New Amsterdam, they told tales of St. Nicholas, who they called Sinterklaas, and explained their traditions. The name Sinterklaas transformed into Santa Claus, who is now known to bring presents to children for Christmas.
Dr. Clement Clarke Moore, who wrote "The Night Before Christmas" in 1822, is the first person to


gif from www.sodahead.com 

introduce the image often times associated with Santa Claus that is a sleigh and eight reindeer. Over the years, Santa Claus and Christmas has become more and more commercialized. He is also an image that is associated with childhood, and sometimes with greed and entitlement or happiness and innocence.
St. Nicholas is viewed as more of a timeless figure and great example. He lived his life to help others, and he represents what the true meaning of Christmas should be all about.

Citations: http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/who-is-st-nicholas/, http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/yulethelongestnight/p/Santa_Claus.htm,
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/the-origins-of-santa-claus.html