St. Nicholas' Feast Day is Dec. 6—How Do You Celebrate?
Many will put out their shoes or stockings Dec. 5 in hopes that St. Nicholas will leave them a little something for his Dec. 6 feast day. Read about the tradition.
In some cultures and faiths, St. Nicholas visits well before Christmas, with St. Nicholas' feast day celebrated on Dec. 6. He was born in 280 AD in Asia Minor. His parents died when he was young, leaving him great wealth. The saint was known for doing good deeds and sharing his wealth, such as anonymously delivering sacks of gold to those in need in the dark of night. He is recognized as a saint in many Catholic and Christian churches. The American Santa Claus, or Old Saint Nick, was derived from the actual St. Nicholas. The day is celebrated widely in some countries. In Germany, children put out boots, or Nikolaus-Stiefel, outside on the eve of the Feast Day, in hopes that the saint will leave them treats or goodies. In the Alsace region…
