Rescuing St. Nicholas!

In Switzerland

St. Nicholas gives chocolate, nuts and fruit to children, while also giving sage advice. However, he is getting confused with Father Christmas (Santa Claus) who fills stockings and brings gifts on Christmas Day. The two figures were getting confused, so in 2011 the Roman Catholic Church in Canton Aargau held the first ever "Samichlaus Synod" in Wislikofen.

The synod was so popular that all 90 places filled, with 40 more being turned away. Samichlaus is still well understood and observed in the countryside. The tradition is not so much alive in the cities and the church is working to get the message across.

The popular synod has continued as each year there are many requests from families, schools, daycare centers, and retirement homes, needing more Samichlauses. "With his special character, a loving and mysterious religiosity, Saint Nicholas has a unifying effect and taps into people's longing for everything to be alright."

Participants now come from beyond Switzerland—including from Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The synod opens with a procession into St. Oswald's Church in Wislikofen, followed by a service.

The tradition has shifted away from earlier emphasis that frightened children. Expert Hans-Peter Rust makes it clear: "We must eliminate terms like 'register of sins,' 'rebuke,' or 'reproach' from our Santa Claus vocabulary." The focus now is on bringing joy and downplaying commercialization.

Sessions include how to make a kindergarten visit, dealing with difficult children, and how to tell the traditional St. Nicholas story.

SOURCES

• "Samichlaus-Synode," Bildung unc Propstei
• "Der Samichlaus lernt nie aus," Pfarrblatbern, December 6, 2023
• "People concerned about the commercialisation of the Samichlaus," Zug4you.ch, November 28, 2023
• "Keeping up the St Nicholas tradition," swissinfo.ch, December 6, 2011.

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