standing at the gate
waving farewell, “see you next year—
ho! ho! ho!”
Saint Nicholas, patron saint of sailors and children. The legend holds that he was born of a wealthy family in early Greece in the city of Myra. He became a Christian dedicating his life to God and traveling around Europe to help people. Throughout history many legends were told about his secret gift-giving and kindnesses to the poor and to children, sailors, merchants, repentant thieves, toymakers, pawnbrokers, unmarried people, and students. Dutch colonists brought the tradition of Sinterklass to America, where he evolved to become “Santa,” the round-bellied, jolly old man in red with a white beard, traveling by sled and reindeer on Christmas Eve bringing gifts—or coal!—to all the little children.
