Jolly St. Nicholas

Saint Nicholas' Day, when this legendary saint is honored in many countries in Europe and in some places in the United States, is celebrated on different dates: December 5th in Norway and December 6th in most other countries.

Who was this Nicholas?

St. Nicholas of Myra was born in 280 A.D. in Asia Minor, in an area that is now part of Turkey. Both of his parents died when he was young, but they left him with great wealth. Nicholas was known for giving anonymous gifts to those in need and his legendgrew from those deeds. The most often told story is of the three girls who were in need of a dowry if they were to be married. In one versions of this story, their father is a poor merchant who cannot afford the dowries, dooming the girls to remain single. In another, more likely version, the three girls were to become slaves if they had no dowry; Nicholas gave them dowries and thus saved them from enslavement, as they were then eligible to be married.

Another story, told on the St. Nicholas Center's website is the tale of the boy Basilios: "One of the oldest stories showing St. Nicholas as a protector of children takes place long after his death. The townspeople of Myra were celebrating the good saint on the eve of his feast day when a band of Arab pirates from Crete came into the district. They stole treasures from the Church of Saint Nicholas to take away as booty. As they were leaving town, they snatched a young boy, Basilios, to make into a slave. The emir, or ruler, selected Basilios to be his personal cupbearer, as not knowing the language, Basilios would not understand what the king said to those around him. So, for the next year Basilios waited on the king, bringing his wine in a beautiful golden cup. For Basilios' parents, devastated at the loss of their only child, the year passed slowly, filled with grief. As the next St. Nicholas' feast day approached, Basilios' mother would not join in the festivity, as it was now a day of tragedy. However, she was persuaded to have a simple observance at home—with quiet prayers for Basilios' safekeeping. Meanwhile, as Basilios was fulfilling his tasks serving the emir, he was suddenly whisked up and away. St. Nicholas appeared to the terrified boy, blessed him, and set him down at his home back in Myra. Imagine the joy and wonderment when Basilios amazingly appeared before his parents, still holding the king's golden cup. This is the first story told of St. Nicholas protecting children—which became his primary role in the West."

Tonight is also Krampus Night! Half-goat, half-man, Krampus is said to accompany the Saint on his gift-giving rounds, and punishes bad children. Yikes!

He carries chains and sometimes bells, birch sticks or a whip for punishment; his tongue hangs out; he's covered with fur and has large horns and cloven feet. What a horrific spectre!

This creature is believed to be a throwback to pre-Christian times, according to Smithsonian Magazine: "Krampus' roots have nothing to do with Christmas. Instead, they date back to pre-Germanic paganism in the region. His name originates with the German krampen, which means "claw," and tradition has it that he is the son of the Norse god of the underworld, Hel."

When I was a child, my mother would have small gifts for us on St. Nicholas Day. Sometimes as small as a pencil, other years a pair of socks, candy, or small toy. It all depended on the funds available. These little gifts were wrapped and placed by our plates at dinner. It was one of the small pleasures of the Christmas season that our mother delighted in--and so did we. Fortunately for us, Krampus was not part of her tradition.

So Happy St. Nicholas Day to all, and may the Krampus stay far from your door tonight!

Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.

Three Purses of Gold: A St. Nicholas Story and Recipe

Once there were three beautiful girls who lived with their father. Their father was a poor man and could not afford to give dowries to his daughters. The girls could not marry without a dowry, and employment for young women in those times was difficult to find.

Although each daughter had a suitor, marriage was out of the question because a dowry was needed to start out in married life.

The family's situation grew worse day by day, until finally they became so poor that they had no money for food or clothes. St. Nicholas, who was a bishop in their town, heard about this family. He wanted to help, but he was a shy man.

So one night he went to their house after the family was in bed and asleep. Nicholas put a handful of gold into a little purse and dropped it through an open window, onto the bed of one of the sleeping girls.

The next morning when the father went to wake his daughter he found the little purse.

"How did this come to be here? Daughter, is this your purse?" he asked.

She was an honest girl, and she answered him, "Indeed no, Father. I have no idea who it could belong to."

When the father opened the purse and saw the gold coins, he fell to his knees and wept. He kept only enough of the coins to provide for his family, and gave most of them to the oldest daughter for a dowry. She married her young man that very day among great happiness.

Nicholas returned the next night, and again he dropped a purse of gold coins through the window. This time the purse fell on the bed of the middle daughter, but she was sleeping so soundly she did not wake. In the morning, the father once again found the coins. Again there was great rejoicing and the second daughter received her dowry and was married.

On the third night, the father decided he would learn who the family's benefactor was. He hid in his youngest daughter's bedroom after she went to sleep, and watched. When he saw Nicholas look in the window and drop the purse, he called out, “Thank you for your kindness. Tell me, why do you hide yourself?”

Nicholas pleaded with the father to not tell anyone about his good deeds. The father promised, saying only, "You have brought much happiness to my family. Thank you, good St. Nicholas." So the three girls were married, and lived long and happy lives with their husbands.

Various versions of this story can be found on many Internet sites. I like this one because of the details and the accompanying pictures it offers. not to mention that it also includes recipes, like this Black Forest "Good Works" Cake. This would be a good treat to make on December 6th, St. Nicholas' Day.

Black Forest 'Good Works' Cake

DIRECTIONS
To make: divide brownie dough in half.

Spread 1/2 in an 8" round cake pan (greased) and the other 1/2 in a second 8" round cake pan. (greased)
Bake as directed.
Cool both cakes.

Place one cake on decorated plate.
Pour 1/2 of the thick chocolate or fudge sauce over the bottom cake and then cover with 1/2 can of cherries.
Place other brownie cake on top.

Refrigerate.

Right before serving, pour remainder of Chocolate/fudge sauce over top. Cover with remainder of cherries and almonds. Serve with lots of whipped cream!

Recipe Source: St. Michael the Archangel Online

Gifts for St. Nicholas Day are a custom in many places in the world. It was something I looked forward to as a child. Although in some places the gifts are placed in shoes, ours were always laid by our places at the dinner table. The gifts were small and inexpensive, but it was exciting to see the little packages, and to us they were harbingers of the Christmas soon to come.