• Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
    • Privacy
    • Disclosure
    • About Me
  • Blog
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Pinecones and Acorns

  • Home
  • About
    • Privacy
    • Disclosure
    • About Me
  • Our Home
  • Food
  • Fashion
  • Finds
  • Health & Wellness
  • Blog
  • Shop
    • Shop My House
    • Fashion Finds
    • Plaid Finds
    • Holiday Finds
    • Health & Wellness Finds
  • travel
  • Blog Friends
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

a visit from st. nicholas

December 6, 2018 By Elizabeth@ Pine Cones and Acorns 2 Comments

Note: This is a repost from last year. 


ALL IMAGES FROM St. Nicholas Center

Do you know what today is? The eve of the Feast of St. Nicholas. Tonight is the night you put your shoes or socks out so that St. Nick fills them up with all sorts of treats!

 I have been celebrating St. Nicholas for my entire life, and my mother before her, and her mother too, it is a custom that my family brought over from Germany. In many places where St. Nicholas is prominent his feast day is the day you receive your gifts, not Christmas. 

For those of you not familiar with St. Nicholas, here is an abbreviated history, Nicholas was born in the third century in the village of Patara. His wealthy parents died while he was very young and being the devout Christian that he was he set about giving away his inheritance, to the poor, needy and suffering people in his town. He was raised by his uncle who was a member of the clergy and he dedicated himself to serving God, while still young he became the Bishop of Myra. He became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need and his love for children as well as his concern for sailors and ships. In fact he is the patron saint of children and sailors.

There are many tales and legends of the life and deeds of St. Nicholas which help us to understand why he was so loved and revered. One famous story tells the tale of three young girls who had no dowry, their father was a mean and nasty man and said that with no dowry he could not keep them, he would have to sell them as slaves. Nicholas heard this and tried to think of ways to get them money, without offering charity, as he knew the father would not take it. Mysteriously, on three different occasions, money appeared in their home.  The bags of coins where thrown in an open window, and  landed in their shoes drying by the sill. Hence the reason we put our shoes out!

Some people say it was bags of money, some people say gold balls , that is why you see three gold balls sometimes represented as oranges as the symbol of St. Nicholas, hence the reason  you always find an orange in your shoe or sock along with your other goodies. It is also the reason St. Nicholas became known as a gift giver.

The anniversary of the death of  St. Nicholas also became a celebration of his life, December 6th or if you follow the Julian calendar December 19th. So on the eve of his celebration we leave out our shoes or stockings and a few carrots for his horse or donkey and hope that in the morning we will find some treats, if your bad all you get is a few twigs or some coal.

We also celebrate Christmas, this was just a little visit from the great man to make sure that we were being good. Apparently we were because we always got an orange, some walnuts and lots of treats.

What about you? Do you celebrate St.Nick? What are your family traditions? I love hearing all about other peoples traditions or traditions from your country so please do share.

I hope you have a great night, get your shoes or your stocking out, you never know if you are going to get a visit from old St. Nick!

This is from the St. Nicholas site but you can make your own at Wordle.

If you are interested there are tons of books written on St.Nicholas, and also how the Saint transformed into the modern Santa Claus, Pere Noel or Father Christmas. 

Here are a few of my favorite: 

The Legend of St.Nicholas: A story of Christmas Giving

Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend 

The Legend of St.Nicholas

   

The Bakers Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale

Whatever you know him by, he was a lover of children whatever your age. You can also find lots of information at the St. Nicholas Center where there are images of the man, a history of his life and of course suggestions for celebrating his life. You can also find information HERE.

All images from the St. Nicholas Center HERE.


Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Christmas Traditions, St. Nicholas

You might also love

  • A Visit From St. Nicholas
  • Jolabokaflod: Start a New Christmas Tradition
  • My Christmas Traditions & Memories
  • Fresh Strawberry Cake
December…The Little Things »
« Homemade Holiday Gifts: Spicy Pretzels

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Doreen says

    December 5, 2018 at 4:02 pm

    Thank you for sharing this story!

    Reply
  2. William Kendall says

    December 5, 2018 at 5:26 pm

    It is also celebrated in the Netherlands, so that's my family background.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Elizabeth. I'm "mad for plaid", a good book, a cup of hot chocolate and my pups. Join me as I find the beauty in life and elevate the everyday.

Currently Pinning

Search

ARCHIVES

CATEGORIES

Footer

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
“Chocolate is health food for the soul”~Mirand “Chocolate is health food for the soul”~Miranda Gray. I could not agree more, it soothes the mind, body and soul in tough days and it helps to make the good days even brighter. On the blog today I am sharing Homemade Hot Cocoa mix, this easy recipe is from the fabulous Stella Parks of @bravetart , her blog was great, her cookbook is even better and you can now find her at @seriouseats . This hot cocoa is perfect for the remaining days of winter and we have a few, so come over and check out the recipe, then go and spend awhile looking at all of the beautiful creations of @bravetart #hotcocoa #hotchocolate #hotcocoamix #chocolate #winter #winterbeverage #winterdrink #chocolateislife #ilovechocolate #hotbeverage #food #foodporn #foodphotography #foodie #foodphotography #foodstyling
Grief is just love with no place to go.” Thank y Grief is just love with no place to go.” Thank you my friends for all of your kind messages, thoughts and prayers. Even though it feels as if we are all alone in our pain it is a balm to the broken heart to have you walking along side of us. #grief #greiving #thankyou #kindness #friendship #kindwords
This is how I feel tonight, as if I am seeing life This is how I feel tonight, as if I am seeing life through the blur of tears and sorrow. Sunday night my friend of 34 years lost her husband of 36 years, because of Covid he did not get to meet or hold his newborn grandson. Then just an hour ago we received a call that my husbands best friend died of a massive heart attack this morning. Sometimes life just knocks you to your knees and all you can do is pray for the  loved ones you’ve lost, cherish their memories and let your time with them sustain you until you meet again. Then you ask God for the strength to get up and move forward. #life #loss #givemestrength #givemestrengthlord #pray
Although I see signs of spring, a daffodil popping Although I see signs of spring, a daffodil popping up from the ground, bright and colorful flowers in the garden center the weather and the calendar tell me otherwise. So I am hunkering down and taking solace inside enjoying the details of a collected home and life. This tapestry is a piece that we purchased over 25 years ago in Paris, it hang in the dining room and makes me smile every time I see it because it reminds me of such a happy and beautiful place. What do you collect? What brings you joy in your home? #collectedhome #collectedlook #homedecor #myhome #homesweethome #interiordesign #frenchprovincial #france #frenchdecor #tapestry #instahome #instahomedecor #acolectedlife #collection
Good afternoon friends, it’s a frigid day here. Good afternoon friends, it’s a frigid day here. How is it in your “neck of the woods?” We took a long road-trip a few weeks ago to the beautiful @colonialwmsburg . I love this place, there is so much to see and do and even wearing masks and social distancing you can still enjoy the history and the beauty of this living museum. Today I am home doing the weekend chores, and of course doing a little baking. I hope that you have a fabulous weekend. #colonialwilliamsburg #williamsburg #colonialhouse #livinghistory #livinghistorymuseum #museum #winterfun #roadtrip #wanderlust #weekend #weekendvibes #weekendmood
Soups on! Chicken and wild rice soup with kale! It Soups on! Chicken and wild rice soup with kale! It’s what’s for dinner and it’s in the blog. #soup #soupseason #soupweather #souprecipe #soupforthesoul #chicken #chickensoup #homemade #healthylifestyle #healty #healthyfood #dinner #lunch #kale
“If winter comes, can spring be far behind?” ~ “If winter comes, can spring be far behind?” ~Percy Bysshe Shelly  my answer to that is I hope not! This has been a strange winter and I am sure that for the 4 million people without power in19 states they are hoping spring is sooner rather than later. I hope that you are all well and keeping safe. I’m praying for all of you without power and heat and hope it is restored soon. #pinkaesthetic #art #acrylicpainting #painting #details #artistsoninstagram #artwork #artworld #color #artoftheday #quote #quoteoftheday #quotestoliveby #artofinstagram
Happy Monday friends! Did you have a nice weekend Happy Monday friends! Did you have a nice weekend and a Valentine’s Day? I hope that it was everything you hope and more. Sharing my day and other Monday musings on the blog. Come over and tell me about your day. I’m also sharing a few sale items that I found for Presidents’ Day. #hearts #heartcookies #cookies #cupofcookies ##pink #pinkaesthetic #pinkandred #sweet #sweetreats #sprinkles #tjmaxx #monday #mondaymood
Tell me about your Valentine’s Day treats? Did y Tell me about your Valentine’s Day treats? Did you bake something sweet or purchase something from a favorite place? Are you a cookie, cake, pie fan? Did you get a box of chocolates? I only like the caramels and the nougat, and I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve poked a few holes in the bottom of the chocolates I’ve the years to find my favorites. I hope you are having a wonderful day. #cake #cakesofinstagram #valentines #sweettooth #sweettreats #chocolate #chocolatecake #fudge #fudgefilledcake #ilovecake #valentinesday2021 #instafood #foodporn #foodie #food #foodphotography #balance  #itsallaboutbalance
Sweets treats. #sweets #sweettreats #candy #cookie Sweets treats. #sweets #sweettreats #candy #cookies #candyanscookies #valentinesday #candyandcookieboard #love #hearts #candycharcuterieboard
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Pinecones and Acorns · Blog Design by Little Blue Deer
Privacy Policy
Disclosure: We utilize affiliate widgets including Amazon, Rewardstyle and Shopstyle and may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.