Traditions to cherish

’Tis the season of Christmas traditions. There’s the veneration of St Nicholas, dressed in red robes, whipping children who’ve misbehaved. No, wait, we don’t celebrate that. The beloved old saint, who could be very “cruel in correctyng”, according to William Caxton’s 1483 account, is more happily remembered for rewarding the good as a wealthy benefactor and gift-giver. There’s also the tradition of the Christmas in 1652, which stressed the feast should “call home exiles, help the fatherless and cherish the widow”. Charles II, mindful of public sentiment – and the riots – brought back Christmas.