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Hello, first of all I really like this site. I've looked for information about names all over and this one has the most names I've ever seen. There is just one thing. By the name Nicolas you said that is was also the name of Santa Claus in Dutch. But, I am from the Netherlands, Santa Claus is translated in the Kerstman. And Sinterklaas doesn't give away presents on Christmas (thats the Kerstman), but on December 5th.
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It's not that Nicolas = Santa Claus in Dutch, but it's like this. His name originated as Saint Nicholas - and over time, gradually became Santa Claus.
This is what the site says:
"He is also known as Santa Claus (from Dutch Sinterklaas), the bringer of Christmas presents."
Yes, in some countries, the giving away of presents is celebrated on a different day - such as December 5th, as you pointed out. Since Christmas is really supposed to be a day commemorating the DEATH of Christ (Christ's mass [death]), but since Easter has become the day of His death and resurrection, Christmas has become a celebration of His birth. So when gifts are given are entirely up to the customs of your country. Just wondering, is December 5th the day you celebrate the visit of the Magi (wise men), or do you do that on January 6th? I need to brush up on my Netherlands culture again since most of it seems to have gone away...
hope that helps!!
Éowyn
This is what the site says:
"He is also known as Santa Claus (from Dutch Sinterklaas), the bringer of Christmas presents."
Yes, in some countries, the giving away of presents is celebrated on a different day - such as December 5th, as you pointed out. Since Christmas is really supposed to be a day commemorating the DEATH of Christ (Christ's mass [death]), but since Easter has become the day of His death and resurrection, Christmas has become a celebration of His birth. So when gifts are given are entirely up to the customs of your country. Just wondering, is December 5th the day you celebrate the visit of the Magi (wise men), or do you do that on January 6th? I need to brush up on my Netherlands culture again since most of it seems to have gone away...
hope that helps!!
Éowyn
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Hi Éowyn and Raven,
The visit of the Wise Men is on January 6th in the Netherlands, Sinterklaas brings presents in the night of December 5th when the children are asleep, so the real Sinterklaas-day is on December 6th. There is the same custom in Germany where Sinterklaas is called Sankt Nikolaus or just der Nikolaus (the Nikolaus).
And the Kerstman (Weihnachtsmann in Germany) brings presents on Christmas.
Originally Sinterklaas and the Kerstman is the same person, Kerstman beeing a re-import from America. Sinterklaas was named Santa Claus in America, and as Father Christmas he returned to the Netherlands and was named Kerstman (= Christ man).
Satu
The visit of the Wise Men is on January 6th in the Netherlands, Sinterklaas brings presents in the night of December 5th when the children are asleep, so the real Sinterklaas-day is on December 6th. There is the same custom in Germany where Sinterklaas is called Sankt Nikolaus or just der Nikolaus (the Nikolaus).
And the Kerstman (Weihnachtsmann in Germany) brings presents on Christmas.
Originally Sinterklaas and the Kerstman is the same person, Kerstman beeing a re-import from America. Sinterklaas was named Santa Claus in America, and as Father Christmas he returned to the Netherlands and was named Kerstman (= Christ man).
Satu
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