About Saint Nicholas, and Christmas and New Year’s wishes

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Johan Leman, 11 December 2025

There has been quite a bit of fantasizing around the Brussels Christmas nativity scene, a bit like in the old days with Saint Nicholas, with Black Pete and the question of whether or not the Saint’s mitre should have a cross on it.
Regarding the clothing and the lack of faces in the Brussels nativity scene, some claimed it was a sign of Islamization. With Saint Nicholas, it supposedly has to do with whether things are woke or not.

If I look at it honestly and objectively from here at the Foyer, in Molenbeek, near the canal, then I can assure you with complete peace of mind — and without encountering any problem whatsoever — that I can wish you a blessed Christmas, also on behalf of the Muslims who identify with the Foyer. Wishing you a Happy New Year is no problem either.

As for Saint Nicholas, he arrived here by boat (with a mitre bearing a cross, since that is the only mitre he has here — this time I paid special attention to whether there was a cross or not, because until now I had never paid attention to it), and Black Pete has not accompanied him here since the 1980s, long before “woke” became fashionable.

In short: our best Christmas and New Year’s wishes, from everyone here, just as you will also receive good wishes at the beginning and end of Ramadan, and for Jewish, Chinese, and Indian celebrations.

 

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