We don't know much about the historical St. Nicholas: he was a fourth-century bishop from Anatolia whose name appears in a couple of lists. Plus we apparently still have his body. Mark Wilson's essay recounts some more ancient and less outlandish legends about him than that Santa Claus stuff.
Also, at the Holy Land Photos' Blog, Carl Rasmussen has reposted his The REAL Saint Nicholas! December 6, on which I have commented here. Follow the links there (plus see here) for additional past posts on Saint Nick.
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