Saint Nicholas
In the fourth century A.D., in a land named Myra (now called Turkey),
there lived a bishop named Nicholas. Nicholas was the only child
of a wealthy couple who died of the plague when he was very young.
He grew up in a monastery and at the age of 17 became one of the
youngest priests ever.

He was very generous and gave his wealth away in the form of gifts
to those in need, especially children. Legends tell of him dropping
bags of gold down chimneys or throwing the bags through the
windows where they landed in the stockings that hung from the
fireplaces to dry. Years later Nicholas became a bishop, and after his
death he was elevated to sainthood. Eventually the Catholic Church started
celebrating Christmas and St. Nicholas was incorporated into the season.