Samichlaustag - Santa Claus Day.

Santa Claus comes already on the 6th December.

He doesn't come from the North pole - no, he comes

from the Schwartzwald (Blackforest) in Southern Germany,

that's what the little kids believe!

Santa Clause and his helpers come to your home.

One of them is a black knight, wearing a black coat - he

is a friend of Santa, and he doesn't speak at all.

Ofcourse the girls and boys are often frightened because they

don't know whether the big bag on his shoulder is to bring them

goodies or to take them away to the hut in the blackforest (scaring

the poor kids like that!)

The other helper is an angel-like girl, dressed in white.

She carries a big book, in there is written how well or

badly the children behaved during the year.

Santa is very happy when the children recite a verse or

sing a song (and the poor shivering kiddies are happy too)

Then they get a reward; oranges, tangerines, chocolates,

nuts, gingerbread and other sweets.

I can still remember when my girl-child was a little girl, and how

we'd meet one of the many Santa's who walked the streets of town

and suburban areas on the 6th of December.

As soon as we saw the man dressed in red - he also saw us.

He stopped right next to us, and while he rested his jam packed

bag on the street, the two were having a jolly tête-a-tête!

I remember how girl-child would practice her verse - for days on

end, to please the man with the long white beard.

Then came the moment of truth!

The poor child was nervy and edgy - like a

cat on a hot tin roof!

Nevertheless, Santa was happy with her contribution, and

girl-child had her little hands and arms full with Santa's gifts - nuts

tangerines and lots of gingerbread!

The bright shining eyes in the happy little face was well worth

all the effort.

Goodness! Where have the days gone???