Two of my nephews were born in Holland, and since my BIL is Dutch, they boys will be welcoming Sinter Klaas by putting their shoes out on Dec. 5th, who fills them with candy and gifts.
Since their MIL is living with them and now spoiling them, I have been told the clogs look something like this..........
Long ago, in a land which is now called Turkey, there was a bishop named Nicholas. Nicholas lived in the fourth century A.D. He was very wealthy and generous, and he loved to make children happy. Often, he would give gifts to very poor children -- sometimes by throwing them into their windows!
After Nicholas died, he was canonized as a saint. His feast day is December 6 -- a holiday in many countries. He is the patron saint of children and seafarers. In the Netherlands, the saint's name, Sinter Nikolass, became shortened to Sinter Klaas. And as Dutch people immigrated to the United States, the name evolved into what it is today - Santa Claus! The Dutch Saint Nicholas also wore a beard and a red cloak trimmed with white fur. Saint Nicholas left gifts for good children in their shoes -- not under trees or in stockings, as he does today.
Does anyone else's family celebrate anything similar?
Since their MIL is living with them and now spoiling them, I have been told the clogs look something like this..........
Long ago, in a land which is now called Turkey, there was a bishop named Nicholas. Nicholas lived in the fourth century A.D. He was very wealthy and generous, and he loved to make children happy. Often, he would give gifts to very poor children -- sometimes by throwing them into their windows!
After Nicholas died, he was canonized as a saint. His feast day is December 6 -- a holiday in many countries. He is the patron saint of children and seafarers. In the Netherlands, the saint's name, Sinter Nikolass, became shortened to Sinter Klaas. And as Dutch people immigrated to the United States, the name evolved into what it is today - Santa Claus! The Dutch Saint Nicholas also wore a beard and a red cloak trimmed with white fur. Saint Nicholas left gifts for good children in their shoes -- not under trees or in stockings, as he does today.
Does anyone else's family celebrate anything similar?
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