Thursday, December 6, 2018

St. Nicholas Day ~ Papá Noel

Have you ever heard of St. Nicholas Day?

St. Nicholas tradition is based on a 4th century Greek Bishop of Myra, named Nicholas who helped the poor.  Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nikolaos the Wonderworker. More about St. Nicholas visit: https://lifewithlorelai.com/2014/12/03/celebrating-st-nicholas-day/

Postcard, Hungary - Rosenthal Collection
One tale mentioned, the bishop left a gift of money on the windowsill, inside a red bag, of three poor girls to enable them to get married. Probably the red stockings tradition is based on this story. To know more about this tale visit:  https://charlotteriggle.com/saint-nicholas-day-snow/life-st-nicholas/the-widowers-daughters/

Another part of this tradition is for kids to leave carrots or hay in their shoes overnight for St. Nicholas’ donkey to eat.  St. Nicholas takes the hay and carrots for his donkey, and replaces them with small gifts and treats for the children in the morning. What about to include a children's book on the boots?

Books available at: www.luzdelmes.com
Among the Greeks and Italians he is considered the patron saintprotector of the Navy and Sailor men and his feast is celebrated on December 6th.  
Happy Agios Nikolaos Day!

Basilica di San Nicola in Bari, Italy where most of the relics of St. Nicholas are kept today.
My Hungarian uncle told us a fascinating tradition about St. Nicholas:

According to tradition, the festivity falls on the eve of St. Nicholas Day on December 5th.  Parents bring their children to the Old Town Square where they can witness the tradition or in small villages the three character visit the houses. The characters in costumes are:

     1.   St. Nicholas (Mikuláš) who looks like Santa Claus.
     2.    The Angel (anděl) who represents the Good.
     3.    The Devil (čert) representing the Evil.

The tradition said, St. Nicholas asks children if they were good that year. Most kids say yes and sing a song or poem. They are rewarded with sweets or other treats, handed out by the Angel. If the kid said NO, the Devil has a sack of potatoes or coal instead of candy, but it does not really happen.
Which sack would you like to receive?
Have a joyful and happy tradition!

¿Existió Papá Noel?


La Tradición de San Nicolás data del siglo IV del Obispo griego de Myra, llamado a Nicolás, quien ayudaba a los pobres.  Debido a los muchos milagros atribuidos a su intercesión, también es conocido como “Nikolaos el Wonderworker”. Es decir, Una persona que realizó milagros. La leyenda narra que el obispo dejó el dinero requerido (dote) a la orilla de la ventana, dentro de una bolsa roja, de tres niñas pobres para permitirles casarse. Probablemente la tradición de las medias rojas que se llenan de dinero, está basada en esta historia. 

Para conocer  sobre la historia visita: 
http://www.lanota-latina.com/santa-una-leyenda-roja-de-amor-y-bondad/
 ACTIVIDADES GRATIS EN: www.luzdelmes.com

Maritza Martínez Mejía


Madre, Educadora, Autor Bilingüe, Promotora cultural y Traductora
Miembro de la ANLMI, Florida Writers Association,South Florida Writers Association, MCBD Board of Advisors 
Actividades GRATIS de lectura y escritura en Website: 
Ganadora del “Crystal Apple” 2006, “VCB Poetry” 2015, “Latino Book Awards” 2016,  “Author’s Talk Book Show” 2017. SOMOS Foundation -Poetry 2018
Cinco libros publicados y artículos en  revistas digitales.

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