This episode of Christmas Past is the second in a three-part series about Santa Claus,

and even though children love Santa, these episodes are not for them.

Grownups, please enjoy them on your own. Thanks.

In Act 1 of our story, we met the man himself,

the historical St. Nicholas, who lived in the 4th century in present-day Turkey,

the protector and miracle worker whose legends spread across Europe with Christianity itself. It's been said

that legends are materials to be molded, and not facts to be recorded. They grow and morph. They

change with the times and the tellers.

A legend can often tell you more about the culture that keeps it

than it does about the subject of the legend itself.

We're about to see several cultures and historical events

leave their imprint on the legend of St. Nicholas

as we begin Act 2 of our story.

A snowball rolls through Europe.

I'm Brian Earle. This is Christmas past. Our story picks up again around the 12th century, and this is where the idea of bringing

gifts in the name of St. Nicholas probably began. Some nuns in central France started

leaving gifts and candy for children outside the doors of poor families on the eve of St. Nicholas Day.

This was probably inspired by the story of the poor widower and his daughters.

The custom of gifts for children, all children, not just poor ones, spread very quickly

and even led to St. Nicholas

markets in early December, where parents could buy toys and candy. As his legend spread across

Europe, it became mixed with local folk tales. Christmas is like a snowball. That's author

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