Second Week of Advent begins:
Today is the feast day of St. Nicholas of Myra: The original Santa Claus.
On this day we commemorate a bishop who was know for his generosity and love of children.
St, Nicholas was born In Lycia, Asia Minor around the late third or fourth century.
One of the famous stories about his generosity was that he threw bags of gold into the house of a poor man to use as a dowry for his daughters; who otherwise would have been sold into slavery. Because of this story it became popular for children to hang stockings on their bed at night. If they have been good; in the morning there stockings would have been filled with fruits and nuts and maybe a few candies. My brother and I would look forward to St. Nicholas Feast Day every December growing up.
St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children and sailors.
Catholic News Agency
Catholic News Herald, pg. 3
If you are interested and have the time you can go on-line at www. stnicholascenter.org/pages/bishop-of-myra and download resources for kids and learn more about this saint.
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