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Show j MYTH AND MAGIC , T. NICHOLAS ANt) SANTA CLAUS. St. NicheUa Is aald to hava been a Bishop of hiyra who lived In the fourth century. lie waa noted for hi fondness for children and he-cam he-cam their patron aaJnt tha young being early taught to revere hi in. Out of hi benevolence ne la aald to have eupplled many poor famlllea with funds and1 food by leaving a these at their doorsteps or window sills In tha night. An thssa nocturnal visits often occurred around tha Christmas sis-son. sis-son. It thus became the eastern. In the court of time, for parents and other to make gifta to children In . a mora or less anonymous way. and tha stocking-hanging, practise, which stlU prevail, cm Into N roffua Tha custom at decking houses and churches at Christmas time with evorgreene la probably derived from ancient Druldlcai practise. It waa aa old belief that ayrvan spirits flock ta ths enorgreene and remain unaffected by the foret and snow, . there ta b ready to parrorm tneir good offices In tha mora genial a. warmth of Indoor. Th good omen 1 which attaches Itself to evergreen trees sjadaubteeUy come from this belief. |