www.lidovky.cz - Mikuláš s čerty a anděly navštěvoval děti
Skupinky malých i velkých Mikulášů s čerty a anděly křižovaly dnes večer ulicemi, zastavovaly děti a zajímaly se o to, zda byly hodné. Čerti chrastili řetězy a pouštěli hrůzu nebo se o to alespoň snažili.

Mikuláš (St Nicholas) accompanied by angels and devils visited Czech children on this traditional pre-christmas celebration. In the evening, on every December 5th, you can see little groups composed of a bishop with an angel and several devils roaming Czech towns and villages. They visit children, ask them if they had been good and give them small gifts (sometimes leaving them in a stocking over night. The resemblance to Santa Claus is inevitable, only (unlike Christmas) the gifts are only modest such as exotic fruits or chocolates. Here's an expat perspective on this tradition.