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Happy Saint Nicholas Day

A Visit from St. Nicholas, more commonly known as The Night Before Christmas and 'Twas the Night Before Christmas from its first line, is a poem first published anonymously in 1823 and later attributed to Clement Clarke Moore, who claimed authorship in 1837. It is largely responsible for some of the conceptions of Santa Claus from the mid-nineteenth century to today, especially in North America.

Whilst the poem sets the arrival of Saint Nicholas on the evening before Christmas, most Western European countries observe Saint Nicholas Day on the 6th of December. This is in honour of Saint Nicholas of Myra (traditionally 15 March 270 – 6 December 343), an early Christian bishop of Greek descent from the maritime city of Myra in Asia Minor. Nicholas had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him. 

According to one source, in medieval times nuns used the night of 6 December to deposit baskets of food and clothes anonymously at the doorsteps of the needy. His legendary habit of gift-giving gave rise to the traditional model of Santa Claus from the Dutch tradition of Sinterklaas.

Today, we have asked Accredited Lecturer Simon Whitehouse to give us a reading of this classic poem to celebrate the Feast of Saint Nicholas.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Our Societies support hundreds of local arts and heritage projects. Each day we highlight a grant given in 2021. 

The Arts Society Cardiff are supporting Radnor Primary School to buy a set of glockenspiels which will enable each child in a class to have access to a musical instrument for both group practice and individual improvisation.

All donations from the Artvent Calendar will go towards The Arts Society’s grant giving fund, which awards grants to help preserve our artistic heritage, support the skills of artists and makers, and improve access to the arts for all.

Please click here to support projects like this one by making a Donation.

Comments

A delightful start to my morning and beautifully read. Thank you

Linda Mon, 06/12/2021 - 09:11 Permalink

Thank you Simon, for such a wonderful reciting of this most adorable Christmas poem, bringing us back to our childhood, when we read it together with my father.

Ursula Fortune Mon, 06/12/2021 - 09:11 Permalink

Delightful way to start the week. Thank you

David Taylor Mon, 06/12/2021 - 09:06 Permalink

Thanks so much... I travelled from Mars to Jupiter on top of the jelly belly of Santa!

Agnese Mon, 06/12/2021 - 08:36 Permalink

Absolutely loved Simon’s reading - perfect way to start the week! Thank you.

Roly Trevor-Jones Mon, 06/12/2021 - 08:33 Permalink

I love that poem! Magical & beautifully read. Thank you

Stephanie Blevins Mon, 06/12/2021 - 08:32 Permalink

Brilliant start to Monday morning - thank you 😊

Lesley Stannard Mon, 06/12/2021 - 08:23 Permalink

That’s lovely, thank you

Debra Wiltshire Mon, 06/12/2021 - 08:15 Permalink

Beautifully read. Thank you.

Alys Mon, 06/12/2021 - 08:01 Permalink

A lovely poem beautiful read. Brings the spirit of Christmas alive.

Pauline.mps@bt… Mon, 06/12/2021 - 07:31 Permalink