St. Nicholas Eve 2011

St. Nicolas day is a special time when children receive sweets and small gifts. St. Nicholas reminds people that Baby Jesus will soon be here.

Angels lower St. Nicholas, or Svaty Mikuláš,, with a basket of apples, nuts, and candies, down from heaven on a heavy golden cord. On December 5th, the eve of St. Nicholas Day, three figures—kindly St. Nicholas who gives gifts to children, a Devil who comes to take bad children away, and an Angel who pleads on their behalf—form a procession marking the beginning of the Christmas season. They visit small children in their homes.

St. Nicholas quizzes children mostly about the previous year's behavior. The angel writes a record for each child in a large book and the children sing or say a poem to the Saint. The devil rattles his chains, threatening to carry bad children off, but the angel, with a gold star on her forehead and dressed in a white gown, protects the children.

Good children receive stockings filled with tangerines, nuts, chocolates, and small gifts. Bad children get old potatoes or coal in theirs. After the children's treats, St. Nicholas shares a toast with the parents.

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[Teeuw1976]

Saint Nicolas Eve has nothing to do with Christmas and Jesus Christ, it's a completely different holiday.