Wer ist Sankt Nikolaus? – Who is Saint Nicholas?
For a long time in Austria and some regions of Germany, particularly in Bavaria, St. Nicholas was the main character in the Christmas celebration. But he was not Santa Claus, and he arrived earlier – on the 6th of December. His usual, less friendly escort went by different names in different places: “Belsnickle,” “Niglo,” “Pelznickel,” and others. Santa Claus or Father Christmas is a more recent tradition. Since the Germans (and the Dutch) brought many of their customs to America directly or indirectly, we need to look first at Europe in order to understand the American and worldwide Christmas celebration of today.
For a long time in Austria and some regions of Germany, particularly in Bavaria, St. Nicholas was the main character in the Christmas celebration. But he was not Santa Claus, and he arrived earlier – on the 6th of December. His usual, less friendly escort went by different names in different places: “Belsnickle,” “Niglo,” “Pelznickel,” and others. Santa Claus or Father Christmas is a more recent tradition. Since the Germans (and the Dutch) brought many of their customs to America directly or indirectly, we need to look first at Europe in order to understand the American and worldwide Christmas celebration of today.
Wotan day for "St. Nicholas"
It is known from old tales that
St. Nicholas was the gray wanderer in the German land.
The old legend was exorcized with fire and sword,
All that remains is the servant Ruprecht.
From the 6th of the Yule moon, December today,
the holy Christmas season began for all people.
Not until the 6th of Hartung, January,
the old Friggatag in the new year,
the rough time ended, weather-wise, and is now called Three Kings' Day!
-René Landmann-
It is known from old tales that
St. Nicholas was the gray wanderer in the German land.
The old legend was exorcized with fire and sword,
All that remains is the servant Ruprecht.
From the 6th of the Yule moon, December today,
the holy Christmas season began for all people.
Not until the 6th of Hartung, January,
the old Friggatag in the new year,
the rough time ended, weather-wise, and is now called Three Kings' Day!
-René Landmann-