One Christmas story most of us remember well, some even by heart, is the “Night Before
Christmas”. Who can forget that image of jolly St. Nick as he plopped down the chimney
with his big bag of toys and gifts? As Catholic families everywhere celebrate Advent
in anticipation of the coming of the Christ Child, many children in Northern Europe
also remember a very special day on December 6th: the feast of St. Nicholas.
But just who was this 4th century saint – the patron of sailors and unwed
women? Listen to this program by Tracey McClure: