Long before children were lining up stockings for a jolly Santa Claus to come down the chimney, a different gift giver was spreading joy to children once a year.

Stories of his gift giving and other good deeds are the basis for many traditions related to Santa Claus and other Christmas characters around the world.

Born in a region now known as Turkey, St. Nicholas was raised by Christian parents. When they died, he used his inheritance to help the poor and the sick.

As the source of his gift-giver title, one legend centered on a father and his three daughters who did not have dowries to be married.

Later named the Bishop of Myra, Nicholas threw bags of gold through an open window while the family was sleeping.

The bags were said to have landed in shoes or stockings hanging beside the fire, an element of the story which evolved into the tradition of leaving stockings out for Santa Claus.

Some stories say his helper, known as Black Peter, took gifts down the chimney of houses without open windows.

Other stories of his life recount a caring for children and a devotion to God that led to several pilgrimages to the Holy Land.Imprisoned for his Christian works by Roman Emperor Diocletian, he died on Dec. 6 in the year 343.Nicholas was named a saint within a century after his death, and he is remembered each year on Dec. 6 with the celebration of St. Nicholas Day.In many countries, children leave a shoe or boot out for St. Nicholas to fill with candy or toys.Images of St. Nicholas portray him wearing a red robe and a miter hat traditionally worn by bishops. He carried a hooked staff and a book to record the names of people who are good and bad, perhaps the origins of Santa’s list of those naughty and nice.SOURCES: www.wikipedia.org and www.stnicholascenter.org