Lots of kids are awaiting a visit from Santa Claus on Dec. 25, hoping they are on the “nice list” and trying to be extra helpful around the house.

But who is Santa Claus? His origins go all the way back to the third century. This week, The Mini Page learns more about St. Nicholas.

An orphan boy

Nicholas was born in Patara, Greece (the settlement is now in Turkey). His parents died during an epidemic, or a widespread outbreak of disease, while Nicholas was still young.

Nicholas used the money he inherited from them to help needy, sick and suffering people. He was named the bishop of Myra and became known as a protector of children and sailors.

St. Nicholas Day

After Nicholas died on Dec. 6, A.D. 343, the date became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day. In many countries, people still celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas. In fact, in some European countries, it is the main giftgiving day, rather than Christmas Day.

In the Netherlands, children leave carrots and hay in their shoes for St. Nicholas’ horse, hoping he’ll leave presents in return. In Ukraine, children hope St. Nicholas will place a gift under their pillow.

In the 1600s, as Europeans began arriving in North America, some of them continued the Dec. 6 tradition, particularly in areas where many Germans settled, such as the upper Midwest.

Today, kids leave shoes under windows or at the foot of their bed; in the morning, the shoes are filled with candy and small gifts.

St. Nick

Christmas became less important in the 1600s as Protestants and others disapproved of it. But then the focus shifted to children.

In 1821, Arthur J. Stansbury published a book called “The Children’s Friend: A New-Year’s Present to the Little Ones from Five to Twelve.”

Two years later, a poem printed in the Troy, New York, newspaper, called “A Visit From St. Nicholas,” became widely popular.

You probably know the opening lines:

‘Twas the night before Christmas
when all through the house
not a creature was stirring,
not even a mouse.

The poem’s “jolly old elf” arrived on Christmas Eve to leave gifts and treats for children. The author described “St. Nick” as having a “broad face and a round little belly” — probably the first time St. Nicholas had been pictured this way.

St. Nicholas stories

There are several famous stories about St. Nicholas and his good works.

• One poor man had three daughters. Without a dowry, or a gift for a prospective husband, the girls would have to be sold into slavery.

Nicholas went to their home during the night and threw a bag of gold coins through a window to be used for the first daughter’s dowry. After she married, he again tossed a bag of coins for the second daughter. Two nights later, the father stayed awake and caught Nicholas throwing a bag for the third daughter.

• Another story tells of a journey he took by sea. As the boat sailed, a storm came up, battering the vessel. Nicholas prayed while the storm raged, and the sailors were amazed when the wind and waves calmed. These types of stories led him to become the patron saint of sailors.

Mini Fact:

“The Children’s Friend” had the first known illustration of “Sante Claus” with a sleigh and reindeer.