Yuletide Blogging: St. Nicolas' Day

Today, we celebrate St. Nicolas' Day. As I'll be going into more detail on the origins of St. Nicolas and his similarities and differences to figures such as Knecht Ruprecht and Santa Claus, today I'd like to share with you German customs as well as a poem that my grandma likes to quote.

On the eve of December 6th, German children place a polished boot on their doorstep (in my family, it used to be a slipper, but boots are the traditional footwear). On waking up the next morning, they find their boot filled with candies and chocolates if they were good all year. My dad used to give me a Rute, that is birch twigs, which are traditionally given to bad children (sometimes, a piece of coal is also given in addition) - however, mine used to be adorned with candy ;-) Now that I don't live at home anymore, my family sends me presents with self-made cookies and chocolates every year.

a traditional Nikolausschuh (St. Nicolas' boot)

On top of the chocolates you find in your boots, you're quite often also given little chocolate St. Nicolas figures by friends, teachers or employers.
While the holiday celebrates a Christian saint, I like it a lot and will also celebrate it with my children one day, because it reminds us to give to others and share what we've got. However, I'll downplay the good child - bad child part.

On days like St. Nicolas Day, my grandma likes to quote a poem that's become very dear to me and that I'd love to share with you.
The poem, called "Knecht Ruprecht", was published by the German poet Theodor Storm in 1862. It talks about Knecht Ruprecht ("Knecht" means about the same as "servant"), who walks through the winter woods on his way to bring gifts to good children and punish those who have been bad. In this sense, he is similar to  the figure of St. Nicolas.
Here's the poem in its English translation; for those of you who can read German, a line-by-line translation can be found here: 

	From out the forest I now appear,
	To proclaim that Christmastide is here!
	For at the top of every tree
	are golden lights for all to see;
	and there from Heaven’s gate on high
	I saw our Christ-child in the sky.
	And in among the darkened trees,
	a loud voice it was that called to me:
	‘Knecht Ruprecht, old fellow,’ it cried,
	‘hurry now, make haste, don’t hide!
	All the candles have now been lit --
	Heaven’s gate has opened wide!
	Both young and old should now have rest
	away from cares and daily stress;
	and when tomorrow to earth I fly
	“it’s Christmas again!” will be the cry.’
	And then I said: ‘O Lord so dear.
	My journey’s end is now quite near;
	but to this town* I’ve still to go,
	Where the children are good, I know.’
	‘But have you then that great sack?’
	‘I have,’ I said, ‘it’s on my back.
	For apples, almonds, fruit and nuts
	For God-fearing children are a must.’
	‘And is that cane there by your side?’
	‘The cane’s there too,’ I did reply;
	but only for those, those naughty ones,
	who have it applied to their backsides.’
	The Christ-child spoke: ‘Then that’s all right!
	My loyal servant, go with God this night!’
	From out the forest I now appear;
	To proclaim that Christmastide is here!
	Now speak, what is there here to be had?
	Are there good children, are there bad?

 a traditional Knecht Ruprecht walking through the winter wood

Tomorrow, I shall discuss Christmas decorations and how we can find pagan alternatives to deck our halls. 

Blessed be,
Harzgeist 

sources: 
http://www.theodorstorm.co.uk/Life/knechtRuprecht.htm

images:
http://hottelling.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/nikolaus-geschenke-e28093-stefan-kc3b6rber-fotolia-com.jpg
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m829abLrmZ1qh6gzao1_1280.jpg