With a one-minute look at culture from Christian World View, I'm John Stone Street with the

point.

Today, December 6 is the anniversary of the death of St. Nicholas in 343, who was a leader

in the ancient church in the city of Mira and Asia Minor, now modern day Turkey.

If you've ever heard of the Dutch tradition of children leaving shoes out in hopes to

finding goodies left in them, like gold foil-covered chocolate coins, it's based on a story that

St. Nicholas gave three young women the funds to pay for their dowries.

According to another story, likely a legend, St. Nick punched areas at the Council of

Nicaeus for his heresy.

While aside from his reputation for generosity, what we know about St. Nicholas is that he was

imprisoned and possibly tortured for being a Christian by the Emperor Diocletian before

being released by Constantine.

That's enough to make him a hero.

And to honor him by hanging our stockings, just remember that the true gift of Advent

is the Christ that he was unwilling to forsake.

But the Carlson Center, I'm John Stone Street.