and I am curious...

[zinne80]

Here in Belgium we 'celebrate' Saint Nicolaas on 6 december. At night, he comes and brings toys and candy for the kids, with his horse (which is called badweathertoday) and his donkey and Black Peter.

But how many of my F-list knows the legend of Nicolaas, the origin of Santa Claus? (I do, I am just curious how many of you do know the origin of it

Comments

[syven]

I know the Bavarian story of his visit on Christmas Eve is - basically, little boys and girls put their boots by the door and if they've been good, he fills the boot with fruit and sweets. If they've been bad, he puts them in his sack and takes them away.

[zinne80]

Yes, I always liked the sack part. I was bit afraid of it also, but I 've been a good girl every year ;)

[gfeather]

I've always found Santa Claus traditions outside NA far more interesting. Also, like everything else in NA, it's original cultural context has been completely erased. I remember when I was younger we would learn about 'Christmas around the world' at school in the month before the holidays.

[zinne80]

Ooh, that's nice. I wish we did something similar in school. But we always stick with the catholic version for that. What I know from 'Christmas around the world' is all in movies and soaps, so hardly real life. It's always either pure misery or pure joy on telly.

Love the icon!