Unpack your sack, St. Nikolaus
I've been well-behaved, as everyone knows.
I am an honest child - you know this for sure -
listening to my Mom, not annoying her.
I never teased my sister all year,
never took her toys nor put her to fear.
Unpack your sack, St. Nikolaus
I've been well-behaved, as everyone knows
I'm nice and kind and early to bed
close my eyes right away. I am a good lad.
And as nice as I was, I will be next year too
Please smile for me and fill my shoe!
German Song translated by Karola Klier
So do German children still sing on December 6, the day Saint Nikolaus form Myra is celebrated.
He was bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, the later Byzantine Empire in the fourth century. Saint Nikolaus (Nikolaoz) is the patron saint of Russia, Croatia, Serbia, as well as of the merchants, sailors, students and kids. Among the most famous legends that are told about him is the one when he saved the three virgin girls: a father had fallen poor and so he could not come up for the dowry for his three daughters to get married. Thus the only way out was to prostitute them. Nikolaus was not a bishop just then, but happened to be a beneficiary heir of valuable property. He got to know about the girls' fate and so at night he secretly threw a piece of gold through the window of every virgin daughter for three consecutive nights. Yet in the third night the father got to know about the benefactor. This legend made Saint Nikolaus one of the most popular saints.
However, celebrating the feast of St. Nikolaus has become a part of German tradition mainly because he is the children's patron saint. Usually the Gospel read on December 6 was the one of The Parable of the Talents (Mat. 25,14-23):
14"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
19"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'
21"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
22"The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.'
23"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
As in that parable, Saint Nikolaus would in the end of a year ask the children if or not they were well behaved. This tradition is linked to the Gospel read that day.
The shoes and boots placed outside the rooms the night before December 5 is linked to the story of the three virgins, who were showered with those precious gifts at night.
In fact December 6 used to be the day of gifts and presents, but due to reformation opposing much to the worshiping of saints, the day of gifts and presents was moved to Christmas Day. So the Christ child displaced Saint Nikolaus in most areas. Germany still celebrates him on December 6, and small and grown children still give away and receive sweets, apples and nuts then. Christmas Day however remained the day Christ was born until today, when American traditions had flooded Europe.
It is in their tradition, that not only the gifts and presents moved to December 24, but also did Saint Nikolaus or Santa Claus, as they call him. And today the young generation, which is fed with the incoming American Christmas traditions, might be confused about what is it that we celebrate on Christmas Day.
I personally like the German December 6 tradition, but I am at the same time fully aware of how this feast day is to be put into perspective when it comes to celebrating Christmas. What, so I dare ask, compares to Christ being born in the midst of the darknesses of our lives, of our world?
"Santa" is surely not what I celebrate then.