Door  6

St. Nikolaus

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Nikolaus was very popular bishop in Myra, and was made a saint shortly after his death. He became the defender of the weak in a time of war, distress and persecution, and became the patron saint of Russia, Greece and Sicily and for certain professions, including sailors, bakers, pharmacists and lawyers, but especially for toddlers and schoolchildren. His name became one of the most popular baptism names in Europe (Nikolaus, Niklas, Nils, Klaus).

There were early many legends around Nikolaus and his generosity. How he allegedly, as an unknown giver, secretly provided three poor girls a gift so they could marry, was the starting point for the custom to give children presents secretly on his memorial day, December 6, a custom that still lives in several countries.

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In the Norwegian calendar tradition, the 6th of December is called Nilsemesse. It was from ancient times normal to give each other presents for Jul. In the Norse era it was Julebukken (a man dressed in goat skin and a goat head) who came to check that everything was in order for the season, and also knew who had been good or bad during the year. As Christianity grew more and more, this tradition was linked to St. Nicholas. The custom began at the monastery schools in the 13th century and gradually spread to ordinary schools where a "Nikolaus" shared gifts at the end of the school year.

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In the 1400s, the ecclesiastical Nikolaus feast became parallel in that he appeared as a gift giver in private homes. The Holy Commandment officially ended with the Reformation in the 16th century, and the Church then attempted to replace Saint Nicolaus with Jesus and move the memory day to Christmas Eve. In this way, he became associated with Christmas celebration, but Nikolaus continued many places to be a gift-giving figure, under the name of Sinter Clas or Santa Claus.

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In the Nordic region, he has been merged with the Julebukk, Lussi and nisses (Leprichaun/dwarf-like creatures) among other things from the ancient folklore, to become julenissen (the Christmas Santa) as we know him today.