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Have you heard of Sinterklaas?
You would have done if you lived in Holland and you would be very excited today, because tonight Sinterklaas will visit.
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An AI generated image of Sinterklaas and Black Piet

 

 

According to history, Nikolas arrived in the Netherlands in the middle of November. It's called "Intocht". The word's meaning is arrival in English. However, it is used only for talking about Sinterklaas.

 

He arrives on a "stoomboot" (Steamboat). Because he lives in Spain and it comes from Madrid even though there is no sea.

 

And, the boat is full of gifts and his helpers "Zwarte Pieten" (black piets).

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The boat is full of gifts and black piets

The book which Sinterklaas holds contains all information about children and how they behaved during the year. He rides his horse on the rooftops of the houses during three weeks that he stays in the country. In this period, the children may put a shoe with a carrot and sugar cubes at the chimney or at the radiator, once or twice a week, before they go to sleep. Then, during the night, "Zwarte Piet" climbs the chimney, takes carrot for his horse and puts a gift in the shoe. For this reason, "Zwarte Piet" is black. It is the soot on his face.

Just as Santa Claus visits many countries on December 24th/25th, Sinterklaas visits some overnight on December 5th/6th.

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That's because December 6th is the feast day of St. Nicholas - a Christian bishop who lived in what is now Turkey and who was known for his generosity.

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One story is that he heard of a family: a father with three daughters, where the daughters didn't have enough money to fulfill their marriage dowries, so were not able to marry. Secretly, he put three bags of money into their home. It is said that one landed in a sticking hanging over the fireplace and this started the 'Christmas Stocking' tradition.

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For three weeks now children in Holland will probably have received small gifts in their shoe each night but tomorrow when they wake up there will be gifts from Sinterklaas. 

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HOW CAN WE BE MORE LIKE ST. NICHOLAS THIS YEAR?

There are many videos on YouTube that describe the life of St. Nicholas and how his story became mixed up with that of Santa Claus. Here you can find one of them. The one below is a craft activity for children with the basic facts.

 

Lord Jesus

We live in a “me” time where we are bombarded with a message: “What will I get out of this?”

I don’t want that attitude to become a part of me, especially in giving. I come before you today with a prayer for a giving heart that doesn’t expect anything in return. Help me give freely and generously, without ulterior motives or expectations of reward.

 

May my giving reflect your love and grace, a selfless act that brings joy and hope to those in need. Teach me to give without hesitation, with a heart filled with love and compassion for those around me. I don’t need my name associated with any of the giving. Give me a pure heart in my giving, not one who desires to bring glory to himself.

 

Help me to be a good steward of the blessings you have given me, using them to bless others and bring glory to your name. May I learn to give sacrificially, trusting that you will provide for all my needs. May my giving be guided by the Holy Spirit, and may it be a reflection of your love and generosity. Help me to see the needs of those around me and to respond with compassion and kindness, even when it is difficult or inconvenient.

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Amen

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