Visits from St. Nicholas traditionally occur on the evening of December 5th as a pre-Christmas celebration. He is portrayed as a tall, imposing man with a beard, wearing a large overcoat and stocking cap, and carrying a large sack. Legend says that children hang their stockings in their home on December 5th, and St. Nicholas visits during the night and fills them. In the morning they find out if their behavior has been acceptable. If so their stockings are filled with goodies; but if they find a potato or a switch they have three weeks to mend their ways before Christmas. As the children anticipate his coming, they learn a little prayer to recite to St. Nicholas.

The Sophienburg began holding the event about 26 years ago. Children come to the museum on the evening of December 5th, and line up outside, very excited as they anticipate St. Nick’s visit. When they enter the museum they are taught the little prayer and then recite it for St. Nick when her arrives. He asks the children if they have been good or bad, and of course, the children respond saying they have been good. Each child is given a treat if he has been good or a switch if he or she has been bad. The event has become a beloved tradition for the New Braunfels community and the Sophienburg Museum.

Contact: Michelle Oatman 830-629-1572