Today is the most important day for children in The Netherlands and Dutch children abroad. At least, that is how I see it. Today we celebrate the birthday of Saint Nicholas, a Catholic bishop who was born during the 3rd century in what now is called Antalya (Turkey).
In the Netherlands he's celebrated because he gives loads of presents to children. it's a big event and about 2 weeks before the 5th National Television broadcasts every night around 18:00 the "Sinterklaas Journaal", a news program about the ins and outs of what has happened that day with Sinterklaas and his friendly helpers.
For the people who think Sinterklaas is a kind of Father Christmas, nope. Father Christmas and Sinterklaas are 2 different figures. In fact, the bloated probably ever drunken Coca Cola X-man is a fantasy figure beyond believe. Interesting though is the history of Father Christmas as it seems to come from the Nordic people and stems from before the start of counting the years in the Christian world. This story is maybe not as rosy as one might expect.
The name comes from Yule Goat and tells about reindeers pulling the God Thor through the skies. Well, fair enough. But there is a darker theory where evil spirit wore goat skins and horns and it didn't give presents but demanded them and frightened children. Hmmm, maybe this explains why so many Finnish men have these goatees and behave badly.
Well, I always have mistrusted Father Christmas as much as I mistrust religion so once more my gut or should I say goat-feeling was right...