Santa Claus is central to Christmas in North America, but did you know that he is loosely based on a real person who lived centuries ago! (Santa Claus is an American invention, an anglicization of Sinterklaas, the Dutch name for Saint Nicholas.)

Nicholas was a fourth-century Greek bishop of Myra. (Today, Myra is known as the town of Demre and is located on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey.) Nicholas was the only child of Christian parents. Sadly, both of his parents died during an epidemic when he was a young man and he was raised by his uncle - the Bishop of Patara. Nicholas’ parents left him financially well off and he became determined to devote his inheritance to works of charity. It is believed he died on this day in the year 343.

Today, many European countries still celebrate the arrival of Saint Nicholas on December 6th.

Extra

• Visit the St. Nicholas Center to learn everything you ever wanted to know and more about this saint!
• Watch this short video bio of St. Nicholas. 

Yet another wonderful tradition that helps to not only count down the days to Christmas but helps you to truly live out the Advent Season is the Advent Calendar. The Advent calendar has been a staple of Christmas traditions since the 19th century. First used by German Lutherans, it was soon adopted by Christians around the world to celebrate the season leading up to Christmas. 

Below is a list of various online calendars, for both kids and adults, that you can visit each day.

• Busted Halo which includes a daily micro challenge
• Advent Calendar for Adults by Loyola Press
• Children's Advent Calendar by Loyola Press
• Advent Calendar 2019 by the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference
• Create your own Advent Calendar and then send the link to your friends and family - believe me you will learn a lot about the Advent and Christmas seasons as you build it! Click here.

The Jesse Tree
Another popular, though perhaps lesser-known tradition is the Jesse Tree. The ornaments that go on the Jesse Tree tell the story of the Bible from creation to the birth of Jesus. It’s a fun way for you and your children or grandchildren to learn about many of the events in the Bible.

Click here to download your free Jesse Tree Kit.

• Jesse Tree (video)
• The Jesse Tree Project (website and blog)
• What is the Jesse Tree? (video)
• Happy Saints Jesse Tree (e-book - I love the Happy Saints e-books!)

One of the go-to hymns for Advent is O Come O Come Emanuel. The words and the music of this beautiful piece of music developed separately. The Latin text is first documented in Germany in 1710, whereas the tune most familiar in the English-speaking world had its origins in 15th-century France. Now sit back for the next few minutes and just enjoy one of the videos (or all three), all of which present beautiful renditions of this Advent staple. 

Extra
If you have kids or grandkids they can sign up for their own online retreat - it's not too late.
Holy Heroes Advent Adventure.

One of the most recognizable Advent traditions we have is the Advent wreath. It is never too late to make or buy your Advent wreath. The Catholic Information Centre (146 Chevrier Ave, Cornwall) sells the candles and wreath or watch this video to learn how to make your own.
 
Extras
What is an Advent Wreath? (youtube video)
 This History of the Advent Wreath (text)