A bishop named Nicholas, in the early fourth century, secretly gave gifts of money to the needy. One of the stories about him says he tossed three bags of gold into a window, and that they landed in the stockings of three needy girls that had been hung on the fireplace to dry. Saint Nicolas' day is celebrated on December 6th, in honor of this generous bishop.

Today, many people continue to hang stockings, in the hope that the spirit of Saint Nicholas will visit them, too.

“How beautiful are the feet of them
that preach the gospel of peace,
and bring glad tidings of good things....”
Isaiah 52:7