The celebration of St. Nicholas is separate from the Christmas holidays, and occurs during the 2 weeks prior to December 6th, which is St. Nicholas's day. St Nicholas being the original basis for the character santa claus so why do we give gifts on December 25th and how are the two days related someone please explain why we don't have 2 holidays instead of one.
2006-12-21 09:58:53 · 6 answers · asked by topgunpilot22 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
You asked 2 questions:
1) How are the two days related? St. Nicholas was a 4th Century Christian (follower of Jesus Christ) who became known for his generosity to the poor. He died on December 6 (don't know which year). The birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated on December 25 (although the actual date is not known).
2) Why don't we have 2 holidays? I don't know.
2006-12-21 10:18:09 · answer #1 · answered by Suzy Q. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In some parts of the world (parts of Europe at least) St. Nicholas Day is the day for gifts, and Christmas is more of a religious holiday, althougbh the "Christ Child" leaves gifts for Christmas in some cultures. But the St. Nicholas gifts and the gifts the wise men brought to Jesus (Three King's Day/January 6) have all gotten folded into Christmas in much of Anglo America.
If pressed, some people will hem and haw and say Jesus was God's gift to the world and Xmas presents commemorate that. Or that it's birthday presents but not to the one whose birthday is being celebrated but to all who benefited from his birth. But let's face it, people like giving and getting gifts, and that has become the biggest part of the holiday for many. Giving gifts on St. Nicholas Day, too, however, is just too much gift-giving in too short a time.
The transformation from St. Nicholas (gifts on Dec 6) to Santa Claus (gifts on Dec 25) probably really got going when Thomas Nast drew Santa in his robes and white beard. But there is no uniformity across cultures as to who brings gifts when and with what conveyance, although the US image of the fat man in red robes with a sleigh pulled by reindeer has become dominant because of the economic clout of US Christmas purchases. As recently as 100 years ago, Santa looked much different - more slender, robes not necessarily red - and often used horses instead of reindeer. Clement Brooks' poem "The Night Before Christmas" really had a large influence on how people think of Santa Claus. He and Nast between them established the image you see on cards today.
2006-12-21 10:07:17 · answer #2 · answered by Maple 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a child, I received a small gift, in my shoe, from St. Nicholas, on the morning of December 6th. But, we celebrate Christmas and give each other gifts in honor of Jesus being born.
2006-12-21 10:14:25 · answer #3 · answered by Jackie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In other countries and eras, St. Nicholas Day is/was the day for getting toys, candy, and gifts; Christmas Day is the religious feast day, which is/was devoted to church services. Many cultures still treat Christmas Day as a high solemn holiday, with either Advent ( the days leading up to Christmas Day) or the Twelve Days( Dec. 26-Jan.6) as the days for feasting and celebrating.
2006-12-21 10:19:46 · answer #4 · answered by Flea© 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have fun St. Nicolas Day. we are American atheists. i've got not got self assurance my celebrations are extra suitable important than any others. now no longer all holiday journeys and celebrations are perfect to me or my relatives, and so we don't have fun them. there is not any element in enticing in a visit that has no meaning for you. i'm now no longer from Spain or Finland or Ghana, so why would desire to I have fun holiday journeys specific to their cultures/international places? i does not anticipate somebody from Japan to have fun Thanksgiving.
2016-12-11 13:55:01 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
also the wise men brought Jesus gifts too thats why...
2006-12-21 10:11:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋