Our columnist looks at a gentleman who should not be confused with his more popular, rotund, bearded cousin with the hearty chortle.

COME Wednesday evening, children in Germany will place polished boots outside their front doors hoping to receive commendation for good behaviour in the form of confectionery from a man named “Nikolaus”.

This commemorates the feast day of Saint Nicholas who is said to have died on Dec 6 in the year 346. Some theories suggest that this character is actually a composite of two namesake saints: Nicholas of Myra (4th century) and Nicholas of Sion (6th century). However, it is the former who is most often referred to if you were to Google “Nikolaus”.

Also known as “Nicholas the Wonderworker,” he was a Greek Christian bishop of Myra – now the Anatolia region of modern Turkey – who especially loved children and who was lauded for his generosity (albeit anonymously) towards those in need. Unsurprisingly, he is the patron saint of children.

An oft-repeated story is that of a destitute man who had contemplated selling his three daughters into slavery, as he couldn’t afford their dowries. Having heard of the father’s plan, St Nicholas came on three different nights and tossed a bag of gold through the window.

These bags were said to have landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry, thus enabling each girl to marry and escape a life of misery. He also had a penchant for leaving coins anonymously in people’s footwear in the dark of night.

This legend eventually metamorphosed into the current custom of leaving boots out or hanging stockings by the fireplace in Germany and other Catholic-influenced countries.

Thus, on the eve of Saint Nicholas’ Day, people clean their houses and children polish special boots known as “Nikolaus Stiefel”. By the way, one is also advised to put out only one boot so as to not appear too kiasu.

These are then left outside together with letters for Nikolaus as well as food for his horse. The following morning, those who have been nice will awake to boots filled with sweets, nuts and fruit, while those who have been naughty may find less appetising “treats” like potatoes, coal or even a rotan in their boots.

Along the way, German mythology may have mingled into this practice involving the bearded pagan god Odin who had a bag to capture naughty children.

Consequently, a sinister character called Knecht Ruprecht (servant Ruprecht) who threatens naughty children with a good spanking was said to accompany the German St Nicholas. In Switzerland where he’s known as Schmutzli, he was said to haul bad children in a sack, take them into (surprise, surprise) a dark forest or worse, and drown the sack load of them in a river.

These stories, however, gained foothold in the more Catholic countries and regions such as in Austria or in Bavaria in Germany. It is also said that previously parents would inform their local priest about any misbehaving children. The priest would then pay these rascals a personal visit dressed as St Nicholas and severely reprimand them.

Clearly all these were designed as deterrents against bad behaviour and no one really got a spanking. Besides, these days everyone (parents included) is more concerned with the amount of Milka chocolates in the boots.

St Nicholas is usually portrayed with a long white beard, a bishop’s mitre (a tall foldable, headdress) and a red cloak. Sometimes he’s also pictured with a sack over his shoulder and a rod in his hand.

Sound familiar? Yes, his more commercialised cousin Santa Claus has a similar get-up, too. However, here in Germany, both men are not to be confused. Nikolaus and the Weihnachtsman (Father Christmas) have two different portfolios and make their rounds on two different days: the former on Dec 6 and the latter in the afternoon of Dec 24.

Some contend that religious families try to focus more on St Nicholas day to impress upon children that Christmas is actually about Jesus’ birth, and not presents.

Two years back, I had my own Nikolaus moment when my neighbour’s son dutifully left his boot out. His mother had already filled it with chocolate but I thought I’d surprise the little tyke and so added another gift to his loot. I was tickled to watch his wonder through my peephole the next morning when even his Mum couldn’t explain my gift there.

This is perhaps why St Nicholas remains an enduring figure of the Christmas season. There is just as much joy in giving as in receiving.

Brenda Benedict is a Malaysian living in Frankfurt. She highly recommends playing Santa to anyone in search of a feel-good activity.

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