We Need a Little Christmas!

History Spotlight 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.

The 4th-century Saint Nicholas

Over the years, strands of the Greek Saint Nicholas, the English Father Christmas, and the Dutch Sinterklaas were woven together. In 1823, the poet Clement Clarke Moore gave us the timeless story A Visit from St. Nicholas, and a whole host of Christmas icons: Santa, the airborne sleigh, the flying reindeer, landing on the roof on Christmas Eve, dropping down the chimney with a sack of toys, leaving them for each child, stuffing the stockings hanging by the chimney, and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

An early edition of A Visit from St. Nicholas, illustrated by Philadelphia native Jessie Willcox Smith

In the 1860s, American illustrator Thomas Nast put a face to the man, and his version has become the accepted depiction of our American Santa Claus. A final piece was added in 1866, with a Nast Christmas image showing a village called “Santa Claussville, N.P.” The N.P.? North Pole!

One of the earliest versions of Thomas Nast’s Santa illustrations

Today’s celebrations of Christmas would be unrecognizable to the 18th-century citizens – both the religious celebration with its pageantry and music, and the secular celebration that unites us in our suspension of disbelief on Christmas Eve, as we wait for that jolly old elf to bring presents to the children of the world. And in this trying year of 2020, Lord knows we need a little Christmas!

Thomas Nast’s colorful musical Santa

For more history on Newtown Square, Delaware County, and membership information, visit www.NSHistory.org.

Art Along the Trail

Saturdays December 5 & 12

12 - 4pm (weather permitting)

Historic Square Tavern

Rte 252 & Goshen Rd, Newtown Square

Local artists display and sell their artwork inside and outside the tavern. Come walk Newtown’s newly expanded trail system while enjoying art work in various media on the Tavern green. For more information, visit www.NSHistory.org.