St. Nicholas Day – December 6
On December 6, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Nicholas. While many countries have traditions surrounding the day, for the German people, this day takes the place of prominence. As an elementary school student in Germany, I remember making little paper shoes to place outside the doors of our classroom to be filled with chocolate coins and clementines. St. Nicholas day was also the starting day for the incomparable Christmas markets. Yet, with all of the celebrations and traditions, St. Nicholas was not from Germany. He was the Bishop of Myra in modern-day Turkey in the fourth century. While he is known for his gift-giving, which all started so that a father did not have to sell his daughters, St. Nicholas’s role at the Council of Nicaea speaks to him being more than just a gift-giver, but indeed a true defender of the faith. At the Council, the heresy of Arianism was proclaimed by the priest Arius, stating that the Son was not equal to the Father. St. Nicholas would listen to this, stand, and then go on to defend the truth that we profess in the Nicaean Creed that the Father and the Son are equal. St. Nicholas’ willingness to stand and defend the truth should never be overlooked! The traditional German breakfast on St. Nicholas Day is Pfannkuchen: German Pancakes.
Ingredients:
Makes one large pancake which will serve 2
4 Egg Yolks - Beaten
5 Egg Whites – Beaten Stiff
2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
¼ Cup Warm Milk
¼ Warm Water
¾ Tablespoon Sugar
Zest of 1 Orange
2 Tablespoons Butter
Directions:
