Sinterklaas brings Yuletide cheer

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tonnette Thompson
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Have you ever wondered about the true origin of Santa Claus?

Did you know that Santa Claus and Christmas, respectively, were actually meant to represent separate days of religious significance?

The arrival of Sinterklaas at the Ben Donnell Day Care Center of Wichita Falls provided this lesson for children, teachers and parents alike on Tuesday. With the long, flowing white beard, bright red suit and book of nice and naughty children's names so familiar to many Americans, the Netherlands' Saint Nicholas passed out gifts to the children in celebration of his naming day, traditionally Dec. 6 each year.

"We did the same thing for the Dutch children in town on Sunday," said Maj. Joop Hendrix of the 80th Flight Training Wing, who donned the Sinterklaas bishop's suit for the Donnell Day Care children. "The American and Dutch versions look the same, but are very different."

Whether Sinterklaas or Santa Claus, however, the reaction of little children to Ol' Saint Nick remains the same. The toddlers and preschoolers crept up, cried, or even had trusted adults carry them to receive their gifts, all casting wary stares at the jovial man who summoned them one at a time, by name, in a Dutch-accented voice.

Reactions to Sinterklaas's "little helper," the 5-foot-plus tall "Zwarte Piet," or Black Pete, were even more severe.

"They're scared of Peter because they can't see his face," said Dollie Vinson, head teacher at Donnell, in response to the children's wailing as the wild-haired, black-faced figure passed out candies. "Remember, Halloween is still fresh in their minds."

"Some of the Dutch children were willing to sing and dance with me because they knew who I was supposed to be," said Evelien Valks, a military spouse who volunteered for the role of Black Pete. Originally representing the devil, enslaved and forced to assist with St. Nicholas's good deeds, Black Pete is more commonly known as a mischievous but willing servant of Sinterklaas, covered in soot from his frequent travels through chimneys.

"But no matter how they react, the best part is seeing their faces when they unwrap the presents. It's nice to see them so happy," Mrs. Valks said.

In the Netherlands, the eve of St. Nicholas's naming is the time for gift-giving, with the presents called "surprises" because of their elaborate wrapping. According to the tale, Sinterklaas would travel at night on a flying white horse, delivering candy and presents to good boys and girls. He would visit stores, hospitals and schools, and even enter families' homes through the chimney to leave the gifts.

Saint Nicholas was a bishop from the area now known as Turkey, renowned for spending his entire fortune to help people in need. His death inspired the notion of Sinterklaas, a representation of the fallen saint celebrated both in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. A mispronunciation of "Sinterklaas" by early American settlers eventually translated to "Santa Claus" in America.