The story of our modern Santa Claus begins with a real person named Nicholas, who was born during the third century in Patara, a village in what is now Demre, Turkey. His wealthy parents raised him as a Christian. But they died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young, and he was left with their fortune. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his inheritance to assist the suffering, the sick, and the poor. Read the full

In the modern world, we call him Santa Claus, St. Nick, or even Kris Kringle. But the historical figure behind the legend is a Christian bishop named Saint Nicholas who lived in what is now Turkey. He was known for giving gifts in the name of Jesus to those in need ... and that is how the legend began. Dr. Joseph Wheeler went on a search to find the man behind the legend -- the result was his book: "St. Nicholas: A Closer Look at Christmas." Learn more in my interview with Dr