The great concession was made by the Old South Congregation in 1753
when it offered its sanctuary to the worshipers in King's Chapel,
after that edifice was burned, for them to hold their Christmas
services. It was with the implicit understanding that there was to be
no spruce, holly, or other greens used on that occasion to desecrate
their meeting-house.

Little by little the day was brought into favor as a holiday, but it
was as late as the year 1856, while Nathaniel P. Banks was Governor,
that the day was made a legal holiday in Massachusetts.

The good Dutch Fathers, true to the teachings of their forefathers,
sailed for the New World with the image of St. Nicholas for a
figurehead on their vessel. They named the first church they built for
the much-loved St. Nicholas and made him patron saint of the new city
on Manhattan Island. Thanks, many many thanks, to these sturdy old
Dutchmen with unpronounceable names who preserved to posterity so many
delightful customs of Christmas observance. What should we have done
without them? They were quite a worthy people notwithstanding they
believed in enjoying life and meeting together for gossip and
merrymaking. Christmas was a joyful season with them. The churches and
quaint gabled houses were trimmed with evergreens, great preparations
were made for the family feasts, and business was generally suspended.
The jolly old City Fathers took a prolonged rest from cares of office,
even ordering on December 14, 1654, that, "As the winter and the
holidays are at hand, there shall be no more ordinary meetings of this
board (the City Corporation) between this date and three weeks after
Christmas. The Court messenger is ordered not to summon any one in the
meantime."