History Spotlight
The 4th-century Saint Nicholas
We Need a Little Christmas!
One of the earliest versions of Thomas Nast’s Santa illustrations
by Doug Humes Photos are from public domain English-speaking residents have been celebrating Christmas in Newtown since its founding in 1681. But those early settlers would not recognize the holiday we celebrate today. In fact, early 18th-century Quakers treated the day much like every other day except the Sabbath. A 1749 visitor noted: The Quakers did not regard this day any more remarkable than other days. Stores were open, and anyone might sell or purchase what he wanted. …There was no more baking of bread for the Christmas festival than for other days; and no Christmas porridge on Christmas Eve! One did not seem to know what it meant to wish anyone a Merry Christmas. Oddly enough, part of our Christmas tradition grew out of the generosity of a rich man in 4th-century Turkey. Hearing that a certain single woman could not attract suitable marriage prospects because she had no dowry to offer, the man secretly dropped a bag of gold down the family chimney one night, and
the bag got caught in a stocking that had been hung up to dry in the fireplace. Repeated gifts from this man led to his recognition as a saint, St. Nicholas.
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Photo by Sierra Clark Pho tography
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
December 2020
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