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The origin of the Saint Nicholas tradition - from "Religion and Ethics Newsweekly" on PBS. Nicholas is the patron saint of children (hence the holiday), sailors, fishermen, merchants, the falsely accused, repentant thieves, pharmacists, archers, and notably pawnbrokers. The three gold balls that represent the pawn industry come directly from the St. Nicholas legend. To pay for the dowry of three young women, St. Nicholas threw three bags of gold through the window of the parents' home - one of which landed in a shoe drying by the fireplace. The three balls represent the three bags of gold. This is also the origin of the tradition of chocolate coins in the Christmas stocking.
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Lives of Saints
