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Sparrow Girl Aletta Mes has worked hard to ensure that memories of her childhood in Holland are preserved and her Sparrow Girl stories are a delight. She has granted permission for this work to be downloaded free of charge. If you really enjoy her work contact her at aletta at myegonetimes.com Retaining Traditional Customs When we travelled
for six months the impression that was etched into my memory was
of how cultures had been stripped away and old traditions lost.
Each year I have made sure to include some of the unique customs.
Make sure to visit the 2003
and 2004 calendars to view these. Make
something that represents your culture and the place where you live.
Pull out a box of old
Christmas Cards if you need ideas and begin making cards, bookmarks
and tags to give away this Christmas. Exhibitions/Workshops Stephanie
Hansen - Papier Mache
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The Feast of St. Nicholas
St. Nicholas lives in Spain with his steadfast companion, Black Piet. Every December for as long as anyone can remember, the old bishop and his friend take their boat to the Netherlands.
After the long trip they finally see the Dutch shore. It is much colder here than in Spain and the Saint and the Moor pull on warm woolly underthings. His horse gets a warm blanket, and an extra thick layer of hay.
For several days they make stops all along the shores of towns in the Netherlands where cheering children have gathered to welcome the Saint.
Black Piet throws handfuls of candy and traditional pepernoten into crowds of delighted little children. Children have the chance to see and speak with the Saint and ask special favors. Black Piet can sometimes be talked into performing magic.
From one town to another the Saint travels, hearing the songs of children. Before you know it it is the Eve of St. Nicholas day, the feast that honors the Saint for being the patron of all little children everywhere.
This is the night the Saint, with the help of his good friend Black Piet and his faithful horse, travel from house to house leaving gifts and candies to good children and lumps of coal to bad children. He moves so fast he cannot be seen except if you are lucky a brief flash of his gown, his horse's tail maybe?
The snacks, suck as carrots, cookies, apples and warm milk, are much appreciated, as they work the long night at magic speed so no child shall be disappointed. Even the poorest child shall have some chocolates, and maybe a new pair of socks or small toy in the morning.
As Children everywhere delight in finding gifts in their shoes that morning, the Saint is already arriving back in spain for a well deserved break on the day that bears his name.
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