St. Nicholas Day

Today is St. Nicholas Day, which celebrates St. Nicholas of Myra, a Christian bishop of Greek descent who lived in the 4th century. He was known as a generous bringer of gifts (often secretly), and thus became the real-life inspiration for the American Santa Claus and British Father Christmas figures. In fact, the name Santa Claus derives from the Dutch ‘Sinterklaas,’ meaning Saint Nicholas. It is said he sold all his possessions so he could give money to the poor.