HISTORY OF ST. NICHOLAS:
The first well-known gift-giver was a true person. Saint Nicholas lived
in Myra (now known as Turkey) in about 300 A.D. The only child of a
wealthy family, he was orphaned at an early age. He grew up in a
monastery and at the age of 17 became one of the youngest ordained
priests. Stories tell of his generosity as he gave away his wealth in
the form of gifts to the needy, especially children. Legends tell of him
dropping bags of gold down chimneys where they landed in stockings hung
by the fire to dry. The customs we practice today - most notably that
of "Santa Claus" - started from the stories associated with Saint
Nicholas.
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