santa claus against the sex trade?

Well, yeah! Go Saint Nick.

According to legend, (one of many, I'm sure) St. Nicholas got his reputation for dropping off gifts because of a poor family in his parish. The three daughters had no chance of being married off because they had no dowry. Each faced a life of prostitution (there weren't many career options for women in those days) and so St. Nicholas, on three separate occasions, threw a bag of gold in the window of their cottage thereby freeing them from a terrible life.

Pretty neat, eh?

Comments

[Leanna Ellis]

I love that story but most people don't know it. We have a picture book telling the tale, but it doesn't mention prostitution obviously.

[Tina]

You win today's award for most unique blog title!

I heard that story for the first time this year and thought it was very, very cool. I wish we heard more about the real St. Nicolas and less about Santa.

[Carla]

I read this story for the first time this year, too, and loved that he was a real person who anonymously gifted others and spread the Gospel.
I enjoy catching your blog and wanted to tell you I've ordered Saint's Coffee for all the coffee drinkers on my gift list (and a couple bags for us, too!). Can't wait to try it.

[Becca]

Hi Lisa -
I dont know if you still are interested in stories of people doing work to alleviate poverty etc - but I work for Atlanta Metro Kidz (www.atlmetrokidz.com) and we're working with kids in inner city Atlanta. It's a great ministry (part of Atlanta Dream Center) and you can read about my journey there and how I ended up working there at thestanleyclan.blogspot.com