3. What St Nicholas looks like.
In
the Roman Catholic areas of Germany and in Austria, St Nicholas still comes in
his bishop robes. However in other areas his appearance
has changed. Today in many parts of Germany, Nicholas
looks more like Father Christmas and is associated with Christmas, not St.
Nicholas Day. In the book “Struwwelpeter” by Dr. Heinrich Hoffmann, St
Nicholas is wearing a red coat and a long cap. 
St.Nicholas
in 'Struwwelpeter' The
changes in the appearance of Nicholas were probably the result of the
Reformation which occurred in the 16th century. During this period many
regions of Germany broke away from the Catholic Church. As a
result St Nicholas wearing clothing associated with the Catholic Church was not
suited to Protestant regions of Germany. 
In
some Protestant areas, Knecht Ruprecht started to replace St Nicholas.
This is very evident in the poem "Knecht Ruprecht” by Martin Boelitz.
It says “apples, almonds, raisins and sugar roses as well as gingerbread for
the well behaved child, while the child who is not well behaved receives a
spanking with the rod. 
As
we may all know. St Nicholas was turned into Santa Claus by the Americans.
The dutch settlers called St Nicholas, 'Sinterklaas' which when spoken quickly
sounded like Santa Claus to the Americans. Gradually Santa
Claus gained reindeer and a sled and brought the presents on Christmas Eve
instead of the 5th of December. With the influence of film and
television, a figure similar known as Nicholas appears in many
children’s books of today. 
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