St. Nicholas Feast Day December 6

St. Nicholas Feast Day December 6

St. Nicholas of Bari (March 15, 270 – December 6, 343), the bishop of Myra in the fourth century, is the saint that Santa Claus is modeled after. Known for his kindness and generosity to the poor, the story has it that St. Nicholas once tossed bags of gold through the open window of a poor man’s house to help his daughters avoid a life of prostitution.

According to legend, the gold landed in stockings dangling on the corners of the beds, which is why many of us celebrate St. Nicholas Day by hanging stockings and filling them with candy, fruit, and small toys.

Not much else is known about this beloved saint, but regardless, his reputation as a generous man continues today.
©LPi