Santa Claus (St. Nick), as drawn by Thomas Nast for Harper’s Weekly in 1881. But who was the real Saint Nicholas? See below.

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-