As shared by Sister Louise Vanderploeg, SSND, with Shilpa George, Waterdown LEAD Team
Sister Louise was born in Holland and moved, during the war, to Canada. Her family celebrated Christmas in Dutch-style, with real candles on their Christmas tree.
Sinterklaas, the Dutch version of Santa Claus, brought gifts on St. Nicholas Day rather than Christmas Eve. He dressed like a bishop, travelled in a ship, and rode a white horse.
Christmas Day was about celebrating the birth of Jesus for Sister Louise's family. They had a nativity set with statues, a big stable, and a lot of special goodies.
Sister Louise loved having pastries on Christmas. She also loved the tradition of receiving a chocolate "L", made with her name's first initial.
Her favorite memory, though, was of being together with her parents and siblings.
