For families all across the country, the holiday season traditionally kicks off on Black Friday. However, for Greater Cincinnatians, the real festivities begin on a special day in early December. Known as St. Nick’s Day, this annual celebration takes place on December 6th and holds a cherished place in the hearts of many in the region.
Who Was St. Nicholas?
St. Nick’s Day is dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Myra, a bishop during the Roman Empire who became widely known for his acts of kindness towards children. He was revered for his gift-giving and his commitment to helping the less fortunate, even at the expense of his own possessions.
You are viewing: The Festive Tradition of St. Nick’s Day: Everything You Need to Know
St. Nicholas would often leave golden coins for children, discreetly slipping them into stockings hung up to dry. This charming tradition was the origin of children hanging stockings or leaving a plate out on St. Nicholas Eve.
St. Nicholas was canonized on December 6th, which is believed to be the day of his death in 343 A.D. This day is commemorated as a feast day and has remained an enduring tradition, particularly in Germany and German-speaking countries.
When is St. Nicholas Day?
Read more : What Is A No Zone When Driving
St. Nicholas Day is celebrated annually on December 6th, which this year falls on a Wednesday.
What is St. Nicholas Day and How is It Celebrated?
St. Nicholas Day is a joyous occasion dedicated to the fourth-century bishop of Myra. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, children often receive cookies, candies, and small gifts under their pillows or in their shoes and stockings on this day. Typical St. Nick’s Day treats include oranges, chocolate coins, and candy canes.
It is also customary for children to leave letters for St. Nicholas and to leave carrots or grass for his donkey or horse, which accompany him on his legendary journey.
The Arrival of St. Nick’s Day in America
Read more : When Is Avocado Season In California
St. Nicholas Day made its way to the United States through German immigration that began in the 1600s. In Cincinnati, Dr. Ludwig “Louis” Rehfuss, a German immigrant who was a medical doctor, is credited with setting up the first Christmas tree in the early 19th century. With its rich German heritage, Cincinnati embraced the tradition of St. Nick’s Day and continues to celebrate it to this day.
What Sets St. Nicholas Apart from Santa Claus?
On St. Nick’s Eve, St. Nicholas fills stockings left out by children based on their behavior throughout the year. On Christmas Eve, Santa Claus, also known as St. Nick, Kris Kringle, or Father Christmas, similarly fills stockings and delivers presents, rewarding children for their conduct.
The iconic image of Santa Claus that we know today was created by Bavarian immigrant Thomas Nast, a renowned cartoonist during the Civil War. In 1863, Nast illustrated Santa Claus for Harper’s Weekly as Union propaganda, depicting Santa Claus distributing gifts at a Union Army camp. The image, featuring a jacket adorned with stars and pants striped in red and white, was inspired by the likeness of St. Nicholas himself.
St. Nick’s Day is a cherished and time-honored tradition that brings joy to families, especially in communities with strong German or Dutch roots. So, as the calendar approaches December 6th, be sure to hang your stockings and keep an eye out for the legendary figure of St. Nicholas, spreading joy and cheer to all.
Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHEN
