What Did Santa Bring?

Santa came to town...

Santa Claus or St. Nicholas as the kids know them in our part of the world came last December 6 and what did he bring?

Oh, a lot of surprises. When Papa opened the door early in the morning, he already saw two packages of chocolates leaning on our door. Those were from our tenants, but of course, we told the kids that Santa came early, too.

The kids were also up early because they would be meeting him in kindergarten, too. And they did, they got their individual socks filled with goodies. And from the neighbor, though they dont know it, they got surprise gifts waiting on the door.

Oma and opa arrived early. The girls forgot their excitement as they found somebody else to play with. Thus when Santa finally came with a loud ho-ho-ho into the living room door and his big sack filled to the brim -- the kids were really surprised! I really thought the kids would not want to be left alone to face him, but they did. They even sang a song for him.

Our Santa arrived with some notes for the kids. He praised them for the good and he also told them about the not so nice things that he heard. The kids simply said yes or no, nodded or shrugged their shoulders. What was the issue for IC? That she dont want to brush her teeth and she dont want to be combed. And for MC? That she always fights about tv watching.

After the kids' promised to try to work on their 'issues'; the gift giving time arrived. And what gleeful noises you would hear from the kids. We all cant help but be excited for them, too. They got what they wished for and loads of sweets...

The kids showing off their fave gifts...

She Pushed Me

In another of those long days where everybody's nerves were already reaching the breaking point, MC pushed me.

I pushed her back. And I told her, 'do you like what you feel when I pushed you?'

She nodded no and immediately said that she's sorry.

I told her I forgive her. And I said I am sorry that I pushed her. I only wanted her to know what it feels. And to point it out to her that pushing is not a good thing to do, either to her friends and especially to adults.

I hope she got my point. Sometimes teaching our kids a lesson means giving them back what's worth.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Today)

Photos taken two years ago.

Arent kids here in Germany lucky? Well, Santa Claus comes earlier to them, that's why.

My first December season in Europe brought me a lot of surprises and one of them was that Santa Claus normally arrives here during the 6th of December.

And they dont call that man in red Santa Claus, he is known as St. Nicholas and usually wears a blue robe!

Here is one website dedicated to Nicholas that states:

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day.

Widely celebrated in Europe, St. Nicholas' feast day, December 6th, kept alive the stories of his goodness and generosity. In Germany and Poland, boys dressed as bishops begged alms for the poor—and sometimes for themselves! In the Netherlands and Belgium, St. Nicholas arrived on a steamship from Spain to ride
a white horse on his gift-giving rounds. December 6th is still the main day for
gift giving and merrymaking in much of Europe. For example, in the Netherlands
St. Nicholas is celebrated on the 5th, the eve of the day, by sharing candies (thrown in the door), chocolate initial letters, small gifts, and riddles. Dutch children leave carrots and hay in their shoes for the saint's horse, hoping St. Nicholas will exchange them for small gifts. Simple gift-giving in early Advent helps preserve a Christmas Day focus on the Christ Child.

St. Nicholas Day is also the reason why I needed to finish my Christmas shopping earlier, because the gift giving starts earlier, too. As already a tradition here, the St. Nicholas comes to the children in kindergarten where their socks are filled with treasures. The kids sing for him, too

At home, it is usually a family day. The close relatives would join together to celebrate St. Nicholas Day. Santa Claus would arrive to give gifts to the kids, of course, the adults would get something, too. I said, Santa Claus, because he would be wearing the red robe and not the blue one, unless I sew one! And not to forget the big sack filled with gifts...

The kids are already so excited. They have practiced for a long time the 'Jingle Bells' song for Santa Claus, of course, IC said she would only sing the theme song for Pippi Longstockings :) Let's see what Santa Claus would bring.

Oh if you want to know who comes to bring the gifts during the Christmas Eve, that would be the Baby Jesus or the Christkind.