This Santa Claus and Reindeer is standing about 10 inches high and is not only bringing toys, but all the holiday cheer as well. He is wearing a green robe with red trim at the hem. Santa has a full-length fur lined red coat with hood on over the robe. In his left hand is a wreath with a red bow and in his right hand his walking staff with a red ribbon bow on it and of course on his back is a pack full of toys for all! Also hanging from Santas belt is a toy doll, horn and drum, and to keep his feet warm he has on black boots with gold laces. Helping Santa make his deliveries is a small trusted deer with a saddlebag on that is overflowing with toys. Select this link to view our Collectible Santa Figurines.
Information on St. Nicholas.
St. Nicholas lived in the late third and early fourth centuries. Very little is known about his life. By the middle ages, however, he had become one of Europe’s most venerated non biblical saints. In France and Germany more than two thousand churches carry the saint’s name, bearing silent testimony to the intensity of past devotions. St. Nicholas was the Christmas season gift bringer in parts of northern Europe. His legend and the customs surrounding it traveled to America with European immigrants. In the United States St. Nicholas was transformed into Santa Claus. His new American name evolved from his old Dutch name, Sinterklass. Although Nicholas’s popularity has declined considerably since medieval times, some Europeans still celebrate his feast day, which falls on December 6. Select this link to view our Unique Christmas Gifts.
The Life of St. Nicholas.
St. Nicholas was born in Asia Minor, a region that later became the nation of Turkey. Most scholars believe he was born around 280 AD and died around 343. He pursued a religious career and eventually became bishop of Myra, a town in Asia Minor now called Demre. Some believe that he attended the Council of Nicea in 325 AD. This important meeting of the leaders of the early Christian Church produced the Nicene Creed, a fundamental statement of the Christian faith. Other researchers point out that his name does not appear on the roster of those in attendance until the Middle Ages, when his cult was at the height of its popularity. Although next to nothing is known for certain about the saint’s life, many legends credit him with miraculous deeds. Select this link to view our Old World Santa Figurines.
St. Nicholas Day.
During the Middle Ages St. Nicholas was one of the most venerated saints in western Europe. Although his popularity has since declined, his feast day, December 6, is still celebrated in the Netherlands and other European countries. Immigrants brought the legends and customs surrounding St. Nicholas with them to the United States. There the saint was transformed into the American Christmas season gift bringer called Santa Claus.
Shoes, Stockings and Gifts.
In Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, Czechoslovakia and parts of Germany, folk tradition cast St. Nicholas in the role of a Christmas season gift bringer. Folk representations of St. Nicholas usually portray him as an elderly white bearded man who carries a bishop’s staff and dresses in a red bishop’s robe and miter. This kindly saint distributes presents to others in honor of his feast day. On the night of December 5 he brings fruit, nuts, cookies, candy and other small gifts to well behaved children. Those who have misbehaved too often during the year might receive a stick, warning them of punishment to come. Children expecting presents on St. Nicholas’s Eve helpfully provide small receptacles in which the saint may deposit his gifts. In the Netherlands children leave their shoes by the fireplace. In Czechoslovakia children attract the saint’s attention with stockings hanging on the window frame. In Austria Nicholas knows to look for children’s shoes on the windowsill. Perhaps inspired by legends of pagan spirits descending into homes via the smoke from the hearth, St. Nicholas often enters homes through the chimney. Select this link to view our Collectible Santa Claus Gifts.