Have you ever wondered why we do the things we do at Christmas time such as kissing under the mistletoe, singing carols or exchanging gifts? And why do children believe in Santa Claus -- the big jolly man in a red suit that comes bearing gifts every year? Did you know that the jovial figure of Santa Claus -- or Chris Cringle, Saint Nick or Father Christmas -- embodies a mass of legends going back some 1,600 years to a certain Nicholas, bishop of the Roman-ruled city of Myra in Asia Minor? In a general persecution of Christians, Emperor Diocletian imprisoned him.

Later, Constantine the Great set him free, according to `Why in the World' complied by Readers Digest.

He died in about the year 326, and was renowned for his piety and gentleness, his gifts to the poor and for his love of children. In 1087 his remains were taken to the Church of San Nicola in Bari, Italy.

Many years later, after many stories told the image of Saint Nick was turned into a jolly, red-robed ho, ho, ho character which seemed to start with the Dutch.

It is said that Dutch settlers going to New Amsterdam, now New York City, sailed on a ship that carried an image of a pipe-smoking St. Nicholas wearing breeches and a wide-brimmed hat.

As far as the carolling is concerned, the first Christmas songs written in Latin and solemn in tone, were probably composed in the fourth century, when the Roman church made the festival a holiday.

But Readers Digest states that carols date back to pagan times. The Greeks used them in plays, and Romans sang them during the Saturnalia.

For centuries the church banned carols because of their heathen associations.

"Despite its demise, the carol reemerged in various forms of England, France and Germany just over a century ago , possibly because of the growing commercialism of Christmas. Most of the carols we sing today date from Victorian times.'' The giving of presents at Christmas time is "an inseparable part of the feast'' according to the book.

And today we follow the traditions set by the Romans who gave gifts to their Santurnalia, St. Nicholas who handed out presents to well-behaved children, and the Three Wise Men carried gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to baby Jesus.

It has also become a universal tradition to send Christmas cards to our friends and family at home and overseas.

This was started by the Penny Post, which was introduced in Britain by Rowland Hill in 1837.

At one time only the wealthy could afford the cost of sending cards, and any other form of greeting via mail.

Christmas cards were unknown until the 1840's. English artist William Edgley produced what may have been the first in 1842 or 1848. His card is now in London's Victoria and Albert museums.

That romantic kiss under the mistletoe or a peck for friends dates back far beyond the birth of Christ.

Legend has it, according to the Reader's Digest "Throughout Europe, ancient peoples invested this parasitic shrub with magical properties.

"The Druids, in particular, worshipped mistletoe as a universal healer and fertility symbol.

"In England during the Middle Ages, mistletoe was believed to guard against witchcraft and was said to bring good luck.

"A piece of mistletoe hanging over the doorway was a sign of welcome to visitors. To kiss beneath it was a pledge of enduring friendship.'' The book also states that one custom demands that every male who kisses beneath the mistletoe should pluck a berry; when all the berries have gone, the kissing must cease.

Some people still hold to the old tradition of burning mistletoe on the 12th night, deigned to ensure that single girls who had kissed under it would indeed get married.

"It is unusual to see mistletoe decorating a church or church hall, though many Christians are nor sure why. The reason again goes back through the ages: because of the powerful pagan cult surrounding the Druids, their holy plant was excluded from all forms of Christian worship.

"Some Christian traditions hold, however, that mistletoe was once a tree and that Christ's cross was made from its wood. This, they say, is said to give mistletoe its curative properties.'' SANTA CLAUS IS COMING -- Where did the idea of Santa come from along with the many other traditions we follow at Christmas?