On Thursday, St. Nicholas and his sidekick, Ruprecht, visited children in preschool through third grade. The children learned the story of St. Nicholas from their teachers prior to his arrival. St. Nicholas of Patara was a third century Bishop of Myra (near the present day village of Demre in Asia Minor). He left anonymous offerings to the poor. Money and food were left in their shoes or stockings. In countries like Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and Holland, St. Nicholas Day is also called Children’s Day and is considered just as important as Christmas day. It is a holiday that honors the spirit of giving in a gentle, magical way.
