Saint Nicholas has always been one of my favorite saints. One of the more famous stories of St. Nicholas involves three unmarried sisters whose father could not afford a dowry for them. Back then, the custom was for the father of the bride to give something of significant monetary value (called a dowry) to the groom to take care of his daughter. Since the father of the three women was not able to afford the dowry and had no financial means to support them, he decided to have them become prostitutes in order for them to afford to eat. The local Bishop, Nicholas, heard about the ladies situation and decided to help out. Each night for three nights he threw a golden ball (each value of the dowry) into the poor father's house. Back then, it was customary for people to hang their dirty wet sock by the fireplace to dry. On the third night a golden ball landed in one of the daughter's sock. He didn't tell anyone of his generosity but later people found out that it was Bishop Nicholas who preformed this generous act.

St. Nicholas pray for us.