The Ritual Master Hello everyone, and Happy… Saint Nicholas Eve !
This might sound strange to some, and familiar to others, but in many European countries, Saint Nicholas is an essential part of the Christmas celebrations in December. The official feast is on December 6th, but many traditions made especially for children, state that Saint Nick comes on the Eve of his feast, on December 5th late at night, and brings a little present or some sweets to children who’ve been good.
In Austria, the generous, loving character of Saint Nicholas, is contrasted by the diabolical figure of Krampus. The saint is benevolent and brings gifts for the children, while the role of the Krampus is to punish childish misdemeanours. This was traditionally the moment of gift-giving. It was only later, in the Biedermeier era (which we’ll speak of later in the month) that Christmas became a family festivity at which children received gifts.
The Austrian Imperial family celebrated Saint Nicholas Feast as well, with gift giving on December 5th, and attending mass on the 6th. Archduchess Isabella, daughter-in-law to Empress Maria Theresa, was of an artistic nature, and loved to paint idyllic scenes of every day life at court. Her gouache of the distribution of gifts on the Feast of St Nicholas dated 1762 is a lovely example of the ideals of middle-class family life in the Enlightenment age, not exactly faithful to life at court, but mostly picturing a togetherness of generations around simple gifts.
In my childhood, Saint Nicholas was described as being more shy that Santa Claus, therefore you could never see him, and he would always bring gifts whenever you weren’t looking. Of course, as any child, I was anxious to see the gifts, and maybe peek a glimpse of him, but being assured that while I was standing guard, he would never come, I eventually gave in and after cleaning my room and my favourite pair of shoes in which he would leave the presents, I would sit at the dining room table with my pencils and a colouring book, to pass the time.
Eventually, either my mom or my dad would say « what was that ? did you hear that ? I think he came. » and so he had. The window would be slightly open and the gifts waiting for me. So I always sang a little song for him or told a poem in front of the window, in hopes that he could hear me and know how thankful I was.
Childhood memories have a way of coming back to us for the holidays, but we should never forget that small miracles like that can happen every day, if we just pay attention. So for this Saint Nick’s Eve, I’m sitting with my adult colouring book, in loving memory of so many magical December 5th evenings. I might even hum a carol or two, so that he can hear them when he passes by my window.
If you wish to remain in this festive atmosphere of childhood, I recommend this rare English translation of Austrian Fairytales collected from Old Sources. Every day life characters that live extraordinary adventures, this is a collection of folk tales gathered from the Austrian countryside, short but whimsical. Something to animate your winter evenings, or to wait for Saint Nick.
Happy Saint Nicholas Eve, everyone !
