Today, December 6, is St. Nicholas Day, a feast day honoring St. Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop of Myra (now part of Turkey). St. Nicholas was known for his charitable deeds, particularly toward children. For centuries, St. Nicholas Day was celebrated in many countries in Europe. It was a religious feast, but also an occasion for giving gifts to children, allegedly gifts from the saint. European immigrants to the U.S. brought with them the tradition of giving gifts on St. Nicholas Day.
Although many Protestant sects moved away from recognizing saints during the Reformation, St. Nicholas remained a popular figure, particularly among children who received gifts in his name on December 6. Which parents, however strict their religious sensibilities, could abandon a tradition that gave their children such joy?
As German immigrants in particular grew in numbers, St. Nicholas Day traditions became a part of the American custom as well. Given the proximity in dates, St. Nicholas became a part of the American Christmas celebration.
St. Nicholas received some help from 19th-century authors in this transformation. In 1809, Washington Irving popularized the Sinterklaas stories when he referred to St. Nicholas as the patron saint of New York in his book, The History of New York. Then, of course, in 1822, Clement Clarke Moore wrote the lengthy poem called “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” which we all know from its famous first line “’Twas the night before Christmas.”
Due to these popular writings and others, the traditions around St. Nicholas received many modifications in the U.S. to morph into our holiday celebration. For example:
- In the Netherlands, St. Nicholas was known as Sinterklaas. This gave rise to the name Santa Claus, the North Pole resident who now brings children gifts in his sleigh pulled by reindeer.
- The custom of giving gifts on St. Nicholas Day (December 6) moved to making Santa’s gifts a part of the Christmas morning celebration on December 25.
- Sinterklaas left small treats for children in their shoes. Santa Claus leaves them in children’s stockings “hung by the chimney with care,” or, if the gifts are more voluminous, piled under the Christmas tree (another European tradition transported to the U.S.)
Today, St. Nicholas Day is still celebrated in some places in the U.S., particularly areas with large German populations. But for the most part, St. Nicholas has merged with Santa Claus. Still, the core theme of the St. Nicholas Day tradition continues, a theme of generosity toward children and bringing them great delight. This is a theme we can all gladly adopt.
Was St. Nicholas a part of your Christmas tradition growing up?
Yes, Saint Nicholas comes to children in Romania and leaves them presents in their boots, usually put at the window. If they were naughty, he leaves a branch instead, to be spanked with. I received a branch when I was in first grade and I cried a lot. But I cannot claim it was undeserved…
Marina, I’m sorry you received a branch one year from St. Nicholas. I hope Father Christmas was more forgiving.
Theresa
I forgot to clarify – Saint Nicholas comes in the night from 5 to 6th of December, which is his feast day. Father Christmas brings presents in the night of 24th to 25th of December and leaves them under the Christmas tree.