With Christmas approaching, songs and stories of "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas" are being sung by the thousands each day.  Who is he really and how did he become so famous?

According to history, he was a bishop in the early church and became well-known for his generosity to those in need.  The concept of Santa Claus traveling from house to house to bring gifts to children originated from some of the stories during his lifetime and legends that developed afterwards. 

There are also accounts of him rescuing people from slavery.  One is in regards to him throwing sacks of gold through the window of a house belonging to a man with three daughters for which he hadn't enough money to pay the dowries for their marriages.  They would have been sold into slavery but instead were surprised one morning with the means to buy their freedom.

Perhaps this Christmas we should all set aside some money that was intended for gifts to our family or friends that aren't in need and instead follow in Saint Nick's footsteps and help rescue victims of modern day slavery.

For more information on anti-trafficking visit: http://sheissafe.org/

For more information on the historical account of Santa Claus visit: http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/who-is-st-nicholas/