Saint Nicholas of Myra
Today is December 6. Many people around the world celebrate December 6 as St. Nicholas Day. I don't ever remember not knowing that December 6 is Saint Nicholas Day. I knew that our American Santa Claus has its roots in the very real St. Nicholas of Myra. Growing up we didn't have a fireplace, so my sister and I didn't hang traditional stockings or put out our shoes on December 6th. We did, however, lay out our own socks on December 24th. Real socks. Not Christmas Stockings. That means they were little girl socks so not very big. My other always put an orange in them and sometimes chocolate. I didn't realize at the time that oranges and chocolate were very traditional St. Nicholas gifts. Are you familiar with the stories and legends surrounding St. Nicholas of Myra? St. Nicholas of Myra was a real historical figure though not much is known about him. One story is about how he gave coins to a poor widower for daughters' dowries. Another story is based on