In the Netherlands, Christmas gifts are brought by a kindly Bishop called Sinter Klaas and his servant Zwarte Piet(Black Peter). Sinter Klaas and Black Peter arrive on December 6, St. Nicholas Day. They sail in on a boat from Spain, Sinter Klaas astride a white horse with Black Peter walking loyally beside him. Black Peter was added to the Sinter Klaas legend sometime during the middle ages. He originates from the notion that on his birthday, St. Nicholas was able to chain the devil and use him as a servant. Gradually this idea evolved into the image of Black Peter--a mischievous sprite with horns and a soot covered face. He is most often pictured wearing full velvet breeches and a cap with a plumed feather. Black Peter carries a big book which contains a record of the good and bad deeds of children. At Sinter Klaas' bidding, Black Peter drops gifts down the chimney's of good children and bun- dles of birch rods down the chimney's of naughty children. Dutch children leave their wooden clogs by the fireplace filled with hay or carrots for Sinter Klaas' horse. It is into these shoes that Black Peter drops sweets and small toys. BACK-LIMITED EDITIONS
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