Wer ist Sankt Nikolaus? – Who is Saint Nicholas?

For a long time in Austria and some regions of Germany, particularly in Bavaria, St. Nicholas was the main character in the Christmas celebration. But he was not Santa Claus, and he arrived earlier – on the 6th of December.

The tradition has it that on December 5th, children will leave a boot or shoe in front of their door and St. Nich will leave them some goodies if they were good and coal if they were bad. This is still being done all over Germany, however, nobody really gets any coal. 

Christmas Eve is now the most important day of the German celebration. But there’s no Santa Claus coming down the chimney (and no chimney!), no reindeer (the German Santa rides a white horse), no waiting for Christmas morning! Families with young children often keep the living room or other room closed off, revealing the Christmas tree to the excited youngsters only at the last minute. 

The decorated Tannenbaum is the center of the Bescherung, the exchanging of gifts, which takes place on Christmas Eve, either before or after dinner. Neither Santa Claus nor St. Nicholas brings children their gifts for Christmas. In most regions, the angelic, fairy-like Christkindl or the more secular Weihnachtsmann is the bringer of gifts that don’t come from other family members or friends on Christmas Eve.

In honor of the famous St. Nicholas on December 6th here in Second Life, we will kick off the Holiday season with the "Find the Kosher Pickle Hunt" ( another myth that has been totally customized for American cultures) 

The apartment will be open to all residents in Second Life to enjoy for picture taking and also to find the pickle with some gifts. You will find the Teleport at the entrance of the Retreat and at the Basement Club. 

I hope you will come and check it out and tell your friends and maybe we can talk about what your holiday traditions are from your childhood. That is what Second Life is all about to learn about each other which is so much more important nowadays.

Art by Anjelikka

So dear Niklaus come to our party, we all have been good and we are waiting for some goodies from you. The poem on this Holiday Card I created for my friends and family comes actually from a song.

Don't forget to take lots of pictures which you can submit to the Retreat Flickr Album. You never know St. Nick may pick his favorite...

Wishing you all the best Holiday ever...stay safe and wear a mask when you are out there in the Real-world...just do it..no fussing over it.