December Holidays Around the World
by
Gypsy Joy.
On the Eve of “Sinterklaas”
the Dutch and other nations who celebrate St. Nicholas Eve throw a party and raise their drinking glass to bring a toast to the Holy Man, his beautiful steed and handsome Knights.
They urge their children to put carrots and sugar cubes by the fireplace for the Saint’s noble stallion who on that very night will carry on his back St. Nicholas and trot long hours on top of the roof of many buildings and houses throughout the European lands, while the amazing Knights will climb down the chimney with presents and goodies in their sacks and hands.
While the Knights are collecting thank you notes, carrots and cookies and filling the children’s booties and shoes, Saint Nicholas and his steed are thinking about the children’s big smiles while they patiently wait by every chimney for the return of the fast working Knights.
When they return safely back to their steamship in the Dutch harbour and are well on their return to Spain, St. Nicholas and his Knights sip hot chocolate and feast on peppernuts and marsepein. While the trusty stallion nibbles on a carrot and a sugar cube the Holy Man turns on the tube. All watch and listen with glee to the happy St. Nicholas songs on the TV.
Enjoy the French song
“LE GRAND SAINT NICOLAS”
with thanks to Delicieuse Scarlethe.
