Although I did not wake up to find gifts tucked into my shoes, I have no doubt that Santa Claus will visit Neosho on Christmas Eve even though he skipped over us this morning. Today is St. Nicholas’ feast day and in many parts of Europe, children awaken to find candy or small trinkets tucked into their shoe, a Yuletide custom that dates back many centuries. Our own traditions of hanging a stocking for Santa to fill most likely began with the traditions of St. Nicholas Day
Santa Claus is one of my favorite icons of the Christmas season. My devotion began back when he delivered presents to my home on Christmas Eve and specials visits from my Uncle Bill, a man who personified Santa year round and made a jolly elf when dressed in his special Santa Claus outfit, served to cement my affections. Over the years, I have found Santa to be a very personable man and he is responsible for a great deal of good will around the holiday season.
He goes by many names, the familiar Santa or Santa Claus, which comes down to us from the Dutch Sinterklaas. Dutch settlers brought Sinterklaas with them to the New World and although it’s a little known fact, St. Nicholas is the patron saint of New York by default, having been the original patron saint of New Amsterdam. In England, he is Father Christmas and in Denmark, he is the Christmas Man (or Julemanden). Of course, he is St. Nicholas and often called St. Nick. Known as Pere Noel in France, he is Papa Christmas in many countries. In parts of Germany, Santa is known as Kris Kringle, a name also popular in many American stories and special programs about the jolly old elf. In other areas, he’s Weinachtsman, or again, Christmas Man.
Our American idea of Santa Claus today is based on Clement Moore’s famous poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas” that we know more often as “The Night Before Christmas”. The poem may have been the first definitive description of Santa’s appearance and mode of travel and it has become a Christmas favorite although it was as a gift for Moore’s own children. At the lighting ceremony in Big Spring Park last week, my kids were delighted when Dr. Roy Shaver read the beloved poem aloud to the gathered children. The poem debuted in 1822 but even after one hundred and eighty five years, it remains an annual delight.
Santa Claus has many helpers. We may call them elves but his assistants come from all walks of life. They help gather food for the annual Food Basket Brigade in Neosho, they donate toys and time to needy families, and they share blessings through the holiday season. Santa’s helpers bring cheer to believers of all ages.
Since December 5 always falls very close to the start of advent, St. Nicholas’ Day has become for me the true start to the secular holiday season. Now it is time to decorate the Christmas trees, hang the lights from the porch, write Christmas cards, wrap gifts and mail packages. It is now time to listen to Christmas carols on the stereo and make a few nighttime rides around town to view the many Christmas lights that illuminate our town.
The countdown to Christmas has begun and if we all have just a little of the generous spirit attributed to St. Nick, this holiday season can be the best we have ever known!
