Niklolaustag (Nicholas Day) in Germany

Here in Germany, today is Sankt Nikolaustag, or St. Nicholas Day. St. Nikolaus is known as the patron saint of children. and he is credited with many miracles on his feast day of December 6th. St. Nikolaus resembles a bishop in his long red coat, white pointed hat and a gold staff. He goes house to house with his donkey delivering gifts to children. Since he can’t always make a personal appearance, children leave their shoes out overnight in front of the fireplace, on the windowsill or outside the front door. St. Nikolaus then fills the shoes with candy, fruit or other small gifts. I was feeling a little under the weather this morning and I didn’t really want to take James on a walk. I asked if Chris could take him without me. Chris kept trying to talk me into a walk and I wasn’t sure why. Then in the afternoon, Chris again tried to talk me into a walk. I just wanted to stay on the couch with my hot water bottle! Finally, around 2pm, Chris talked me into a walk. I took off my slippers and went to put on my boots - and there was a purple Milka chocolate bar in my boot! St. Nikolaus had brought me a treat!!! You must read this story written by Ade Bethune for the St. Nicholas Center about her memories of St. Nicholas in Belgium. And if you missed yesterday's blog post about Sinterklaas and Chocolate Letters in the Netherlands, you need to check it out.