If you look at the calendar, even the church, even the secular, the obvious thing is striking - there are many holidays in our life. There are small, purely professional celebrations, for example, the day of the geologist or cosmonautics, but there are global global celebrations. These include Christmas, New Year, Easter and, of course, the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
Did Saint Nicholas Exist?
Unlike the beloved, but invented Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas really lived in the city of Patara, located in Asia Minor. It was back in the 3rd century. The boy was long-awaited, the parents considered the child a divine gift, so they gave him everything possible: wealth, warmth and love. When he grew up, he decided to devote his life to God and people. Saint Nicholas became a priest, and later - Bishop of Mira. The peculiarity of this holy man was that he tried to do good anonymously, trying not to give himself away.
Many miracles and good deeds are attributed to him: the revival of the life of a sailor who crashed into a storm, the unparalleled generosity of giving alms, and helping orphans and those in need. For merciful activity, which nevertheless became known to people, he was called the Ugodnik, or the Miracle Worker, and he began to celebrate his birthday every year. A man who helped people all his life was ranked among the saints. Today it is considered the patron saint of travelers, sailors, needy and afflicted. In addition, he became an eternal example of altruism and true kindness.
Three sisters
They say that a long time ago in one family there were three daughters-daughters, whom the father could not give in any way. It got to the point that the parent was going to force his children to earn money in an unworthy way. Nicholas the Wonderworker, learning about this, began to throw gold for the unfortunate sisters in the chimney. And near the fireplace, the girls were just hanging out to dry their stockings, into which gifts fell. Thus, St. Nicholas saved the girls from dishonor and made their fate happier. Later, he began to give gifts to all those in need: medicines - for the poor, warm clothes - for orphans, toys - for children from disadvantaged families. Since then, people are confident that in case of emergency, Nikolai Ugodnik will certainly provide assistance.
Traditions of Nicolin Day
A tradition has been established to celebrate St. Nicholas Day on December 19. It is from this celebration that the New Year’s commotion begins in the post-Soviet space. Unfortunately, there were times when people tried to take away faith in God, miracles, and a fairy tale: religious holidays were forbidden and churches were destroyed. Because of this celebration of St. Nicholas, they were undeservedly forgotten for some time, but now traditions have revived.
Today, friends and foes gather at fasting but rich tables in houses (there is a belief that a feast will reconcile warring parties), and children find sweets, funny "nikolaychiki" and other gifts under pillows.
In children's institutions, according to tradition, they honor St. Nicholas Day. The script is usually drawn up in advance, and the holiday, which is very much expected by the children, takes place in a fabulous atmosphere.
Overseas Wonders
It is noteworthy that the celebration began in Cologne. In ancient Germany, on December 6 (according to the Gregorian calendar), children were given sweets in honor of St. Nicholas Day. Further, the tradition spread to homes: according to the legend of the sisters, the children began to hang socks on the fireplace or put boots on the threshold in anticipation of gifts from the good saint. And naughty children in the morning found rods instead of sweets.
In Holland, it is believed that the Miracle Worker is sailing on a ship, so people put polished shoes over the threshold in the evening. On St. Nicholas Day, the holiday script is prepared in advance in Italy, France, Germany: theatrical processions go there, mummers sing traditional songs, and have fun from the heart. Austrians and Poles believe that on the eve of the holiday devilry is naughty, which the saint will successfully drive away, not forgetting to throw gifts in boots.
A holiday for the little ones
Children of any age are waiting for holidays and gifts. Naturally, adults must support this blind and naive belief in miracles. Holidays such as beads will be strung on a string of childhood memories, without which life is boring. The scenario for St. Nicholas Day for young children should be composed according to the following principle: the simpler, the better. It makes no sense to go into widespread theological discussions about the meaning of the holiday from the point of view of the Orthodox Church or to try to illuminate the topic from the perspective of philosophy. For a small group of kids, which can be assembled both at home and in a children's cafe, on St. Nicholas Day, the holiday scenario can be carried out according to this scheme.
- It will be interesting for children to hear an exaggerated story about a boy Nicholas, who knew no refusal. Once he noticed that his friends want a tasty meal and play with beautiful toys, but they do not have the opportunity. Then the boy decided to give his children toys, clothes, sweets, which he had a lot. But he gave gifts secretly and only to obedient children. So, people still found out who this unknown donor was, and they called him saints.
- Next, a boy doll comes to the children, who asks “tricky questions” according to the type: “Do you obey your parents?” or "Do you eat porridge?".
- All children are declared very obedient, kind and good, so Nikolai opens his voluminous bag and generously gives them presents.
- After such a positive, funny outdoor games follow.
This express option can be safely used on St. Nicholas Day. The holiday scenario for children of primary preschool age, similar to the above, is easy to implement in any convenient place.
For older children, the more common, fabulous option will be interesting. The script for the tale of St. Nicholas Day can be implemented in a comic way. After all, the information will still be delivered, but it certainly won’t be boring.
- Initially, a problematic situation is needed: for example, a bad character has bewitched the beloved donkey Nicholas the Wonderworker, and the children should bewitch him.
- To do this, they perform serious and funny tasks: they solve riddles in rhyme, find differences between the pictures, jump, imitating animals.
- After the donkey remembers everything, St. Nicholas turns the evil hero into a good one and gives gifts under common delight.
School party
For younger students it is also worth preparing a matinee for St. Nicholas Day. The action scenario can be expanded by adding intrigue to it in the form of an evil character, a kind of "wrecker". The story about the history of the holiday and traditions also need to be a little complicated, according to age.
- On St. Nicholas Day, the script must contain a short story about the holiday, but do not drag out this part of the celebration. It is better if a fairy-tale or mythical character, for example, an angel, makes it.
- Before the main protagonist of the holiday enters, a negative hero (a house-boy, a devil, a blizzard, a jester) rushes into the hall and begins to “troll” the baby: asks stupid questions, provokes (reads riddles with funny, incorrect guesses).
- You can use a great idea. Having found out by common efforts that Nikolai would come only to obedient children, the holiday participants pulled black men (flaws) from under the chairs previously prepared by the teacher, and solemnly threw them out.
- When, finally, St. Nicholas enters, then the time comes for fun games, fun and poetry. Games may be different. For example, the comic game "Dress a friend" is perfect. Its rules come down to the fact that mittens are worn on one participant, and a bathrobe on the other. Buttons on a friend’s dressing gown should be fastened as soon as possible. Or the competition “Who has stronger teeth”: you need to bring the boiled egg in a spoon clamped in your teeth and try not to drop it. The game “Laughing” is also interesting: it is necessary to fill the bag with laughter obtained by tickling.
Poems for Nicholas the Wonderworker
On St. Nicholas Day, the script is unthinkable without an abundance of poems. To replenish their number with fresh texts, we offer, for example, this:
Whose footsteps creak behind the door?
Powdery snowstorm
And with a huge bag
Nikolai hurries to your house!
He drags gifts to children,
Bring them all to the world
Look into the shoe:
What did the old man bring you?
In addition to sweets and dolls,
ABCs, where there are a lot of beeches,
He brought you kindness
And a cherished dream!
Wait, the old is melting year
Nikolay will come to everyone!
Winter theater performance
The scenario for a theatrical performance for St. Nicholas’s day should be compiled taking into account where it will be implemented. It can be a crowded solemn procession led by Nikolai and the angels accompanying him.
The procession goes to the square, at the foot of the main city tree, in order to solemnly open the New Year celebrations. All this is accompanied by fun, dancing, fireworks, and the kids, having told a poem or singing a song, deserve a legitimate gift. On such a day, it is appropriate to open charity shops where people will bring clothes, books, toys for
low-income families and orphans for free.
Also, the script of the concert on St. Nicholas Day can be held on ice. The prepared performance will be shown by skaters dressed as Nicholas the Wonderworker, demons, devils and angels.
Innocent Parent Tricks
On St. Nicholas Day, the script is not the only thing that worries parents. It is important that you give your beloved child and how to do it more interesting. Teachers of children's institutions will come to the rescue. The fact is that the script for St. Nicholas Day often begins with writing a letter to the generous Pleasant. This event is arranged rather pathetic: a special paper with monograms and a “golden” pen are being prepared. Older children should be asked to briefly describe their behavior throughout the year, and at the end to ask for a welcome gift. Such an “anonymous survey” is carried out on the eve of the celebration, and after that the teacher calls the parents and “gives out” secret information. As a result of this operation, the child finds in the shoe exactly what he asked from Nikolai. Thus, the child will remember the holiday for a long time, and most importantly, will enthusiastically continue to believe in miracles.
As for gifts, it all depends on age and preferences. Of course, if the child wants something specific - a computer game, a disk with his favorite cartoon or a doll - then the situation is clear. Among other things, you can safely give books of various subjects, sets of children's creativity, for kids - toys that develop fine motor skills, soft dolls and animals. The latter will become loyal friends to the little coward and help to fall asleep in a dark room, and he will also take care of whom. Well, smart toys (puzzles, constructor) will perfectly affect the intellectual development of the baby. Of course, the sweets on this list are unrivaled.
Secret Recipes
Whatever the scenario for St. Nicholas Day, sweet gifts are obligatory and always appropriate. There is a classic recipe for traditional “nicholas”, because, ideally, no such celebration should be complete without them. From flour, milk, eggs, honey, butter, sugar and steamed poppy dough is kneaded. Small figures are cut out of the rolled bed and baked. Already ready, they are poured with chocolate icing (butter, sugar, margarine, cocoa, milk must be mixed and boiled), and a lemon fondant is applied on top of it. Well, who will refuse such a treat?
The spiritual essence of the holiday
On this day, you need to bring joy to your neighbor, to give the material benefits of the poor and orphans, not to skimp on affordable donations. According to history, St. Nicholas at the end of his life became practically a beggar, but remained in people's memory forever. He was subsequently helped by those whom he had once helped out. This holiday reminds people of a simple but important truth: good always comes back good.