Saint Nicholas

Press, 4 December 1979, Page 18

Saint Nicholas

z In the Netherlands tomorrow night the houses will be astir with preparations for the most exciting day of the year, and the children will be dreaming of the gifts the morrow will bring. December 6 is the day of “Sinterklaas” (St Nicholas). He is the patron saint of children, and the giver of presents.

St Nicholas was a bishop who lived during the fourth century. Many tales are told of his kind and generous deeds. It is said he had a large fortune which he used for the benefit of the poor, especially the children. The story as told to the children is that he travels by ship from Spain, to bring their presents. His arrival on December 5 is watched on television by thousands of excited children. Later, St Nicholas,

dressed in flowing robes of rich red, with a highfronted hat on his long white hair, is welcomed in Amsterdam by cheering crowds as he rides through the capital city on his splendid white horse escorted by his assistant, Zwarte Piet (Black Peter).

The little children of the Netherlands try very hard to please Black Peter in the weeks before St Nicholas Day, because if they have not been good he may smack them wdth a birch branch, or worse, he may say they are not to have presents. Black Peter may not like children who stay up late, and so they are careful not to offend him in this way, but before they go to bed the children put “goodies” in their shoes for the white horse. They do not want him to become tired by his long

journey over the roofs with the heavy load. Once the children are in bed, their older brothers and sisters wrap up their gifts in novelty coverings and write amusing poems which they sign “Sinterklaas” to attach to the parcels. There is laughter and merriment for all the family during the preparations for St Nicholas Day. The feast day of St Nicholas begins early for the children, and for the rest of the family who want to share their pleasure. It is a holiday and a festive occasion, with fun for everybody, good food and friendly visitors.

Many New Zealanders who have come from Holland celebrate St Nicholas Day in their traditional way, and all will remember it, so: Blijde Sinterklaas Dag.