figurines.

　　during the protestant reformation of the sixteenth century, st. nicholas was banished from most european countries. replacing him were more secular figures, who in general were not at center stage at that point in history..the dutch kept the st. nicholas tradition alive. as the "protector of sailors," st. nicholas graced the prow of the first dutch ship that arrived in america. and the first church built in new york city was named after him. the dutch brought with them to the new world two christmas items that were quickly americanized.

　　in sixteenth century holland, children placed wooden shoes by the hearth the night of st. nicholas's arrival. the shoes were filled with straw, a meal for the saint's gift laden donkey. in return, nicholas would insert a small treat into each clog. in america, the shoe was replaced with the stocking, hung by the chimney.

　　the dutch spelled st. nicholas "saint nikolass," which in the new world b

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