Those of us celebrating a birthday on this auspicious saint's day, can choose to celebrate his memorial as we say our daily prayers.
He was bishop of Myra, in Lycia (now part of Turkey) and died about the middle of the fourth century. He has been venerated throughout the Church, especially since the 10th century. Because of his help to the poor he is the patron saint of pawnbrokers, whose insignia of three golden balls represent the three purses of gold he is said to have given secretly to a poor man who could not afford dowries for his three daughters.
St Nicholas may be part of the inspiration for the 'secular' saintly figure of Santa Claus - or he may not. But the real 'Saint Nick' is an inspiration to generosity, helping others out when possible from his personal store of wealth. We would do well to remember the christian motive that led Bishop Nicholas to help out one of his flock - it was probably just one example of generosity - as we plan our Christmas time.