Old Ranger Remembered Swell Christmas in Davis Mountains
Frank Dalton recalls a 1878 Christmas with rangers in the Davis mountains near Fort Davis Texas. They hunted rustlers fed a camp dinner gathered ranch families from up to sixty miles and held a joyous tree lighting with gifts, pies, and dancing under the stars.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rangers
Frank Dalton
Sweetwater
Texas
Rio Grande
Mexico
Davis Mountains
Fort Davis
Civilization
Jeff Johnson
Big Bend
Jeff
Santa Claus
Santy
Rustlers
Davis Range
West
Bethlehem shepherds and ancient life amid Judean hills
A feature on shepherds near Bethlehem recalling biblical scenes and modern Arab shepherd life. The piece compares ancient and contemporary flocks, attire, wells, and landscape, noting Christian Arabs among today’s shepherds and the impact of irrigation on traditional grazing. It closes with a reflection on the Santa Claus legend from a 1897 New York Sun editorial.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Oberammergau
Manger Square
Bethlehem
Mary
Joseph
Babe
Palestine
Abdullah
Trans-Jordan
Mesha
Moab
Israel
Rachel
Isaac
Laban
Haran
The Saint Nicholas Legend and Santa Claus History
The article traces Saint Nicholas from his Fourth Century origins as Saint Nicholas in Lycia to his evolution into Santa Claus and the European and American yuletide figure. It notes gifts to maidens, acts of charity, and the adoption of a jolly, generous persona, linking Amsterdam Dutch roots to Sint Klaas and the North Pole image.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Santa Claus
New York Sun
Virginia
North Pole
Nicholas
Lapland
Russia
Europe
America
Saint Nicholas
Sint Klaas
Parara
Lycia
Asia Minor
Jerusalem
Ancient Beliefs in Connection With the Holly
The essay recounts how holly was thought to possess mystic powers to freeze water and subdue animals. Irish peasants decorated homes to win fairies favor, while English districts divided holly into prickly and non prickly sexes called he and she. Some link holly to the crown of thorns and holy significance.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ireland
Jesus
Prayer Poem for Christmas Day
A devotional verse prays for Christ to reach wounded hearts on Christmas Day. It recalls the Saviour's birth and asks for goodwill and peace on earth through those who watch through the night.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rome
Britain
Bethlehem
Caesar Augustus
City of
David
Christ the Lord
Christ
Also Mentioned on This Page
Garland A. Farmer
Henderson, Texas
Be the
Shepherds Guard
Madeleine S. Miller
Judea
Moses
Shepherd's
Zoroaster
Son
God
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!