Letters to the Editor | Dec. 25, 2024

The Christmas story has moved from the fascinating days of pagan influence and early church opposition to its celebration and growth and then, gradually over the years, acceptance in our own time. It is a rich history with a lot of twists and turns in the road.

No one really knows the date of Jesus’ birth. Christmas was first celebrated in late November, which marked the end of the harvest season. It was a time of year when people had time to celebrate this important day. Although we credit Roman emperor Constantine for setting Dec. 25 as the date for Christmas to be celebrated, the deeper roots of the day lie in pagan ceremonies of the winter solstice. Beyond these early festivals, there is a rich history of holly, ivy, and mistletoe, the Christmas tree, and yule fire, which I invite you to explore — not to mention the bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, whom we now know as St. Nicholas or Santa Claus.

Closer to home, in 1868, a 33-year-old Episcopal priest at the Church of the Holy Trinity on Rittenhouse Square wrote a very simple poem for a grade school Christmas celebration at the church. He asked the church organist to see if he could put it to music. Early on the Sunday morning it was to be performed, the organist, Lewis Redner, finished his composing for a piece he thought would be used just one time. The priest at Holy Trinity, Phillips Brooks, had a similar expectation for their new children’s song, “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” I leave you with these simple and poignant words:

O little town of Bethlehem,

how still we see thee lie!

Above the deep and dreamless sleep,

the silent stars go by.

Yet in your dark street shines forth,

the everlasting light;

the hopes and fears of all the years,

are met in you tonight.

The Rev. Richard Fernandez, Cathedral Village, Philadelphia

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s legacy is going to be that she destroyed Chinatown, Jefferson Station, SEPTA, and the ability to access Jefferson Hospital’s emergency room quickly. In the meantime, how can Center City survive two years of demolition and three of construction of a building that is too big for the location? That’s the elephant in the room.

Parker could have had everything she and the unions wanted by telling the Sixers they had to build at Schuylkill Yards, uptown at North Broad Street and Lehigh Avenue (if she really believed in economic development for the city’s low-income areas), the sports complex, or anywhere else in the city. The unions would still have their 9,000 jobs, the city its tax revenue, and the Sixers would have had everything they asked for — plus Amtrak access for out-of-state fans and no disruption nor destruction.

Did Parker or the Sixers even consider other options, or just focus on East Market Street no matter what? They didn’t seem to. Instead, they just shoved it down our throats — all while pretending they were listening or concerned, despite all the studies and experts who presented objections. It’s shameful how the mayor went from a populist during her campaign to genuflecting to the wealthy and powerful.

Michael Miller Jr., Philadelphia

. . .

I am a consulting city planner with decades of experience, including during the rebuild of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. I’ve never encountered a mayor and City Council who have succumbed to the pressure and enticements of wealthy team owners as readily as they have in Philadelphia. The owners have dictated the location, terms, and timing of the 76ers arena. They made the city’s Market East development policy for their own purposes.

It’s almost funny: This is such a 1990s idea in 2024. The Gallery/Fashion District and Pennsylvania Convention Center also promised rejuvenation. Have we learned nothing? The deal gives the owners a lot. What do we get? Only 260 full-time jobs for city residents; they would happen anywhere an arena is built. The arena is designed to keep patrons inside buying food and merchandise (the opposite of a civic space), deadening the surrounding area. SEPTA’s Jefferson Station, now one of the most welcoming in the system, will be deprived of light and buried under the arena, reducing development prospects for Market East.

We also get the destruction of the thriving and culturally significant Chinatown neighborhood. Traffic and parking congestion increases which will worsen emergency access to nearby hospitals and the Level 1 trauma center. Arena event demand (unfunded by the owners) will be dumped on a financially stressed SEPTA. Greatly reduced property tax revenue. An insultingly small community benefits agreement, much of which funds the mayor’s unrelated pet projects.

This arena is in the wrong place, and it is a terrible deal.

John Beckman, Philadelphia

Donald Trump has based his cabinet appointments on who idolizes him the most and who agrees with his un-American promises like jailing anyone who wanted him punished for his crimes. Fortunately, Matt Gaetz, Trump’s first pick for attorney general, has dropped out, saving himself and Trump much embarrassment. Pete Hegseth, whom Trump has chosen to be defense secretary, has been accused of mismanagement of nonprofit funds, and sexual assault. Trump has chosen Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence, even though in the past she showed favoritism toward Bashir Assad of Syria and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s choice for health chief, is critical of vaccines and has spread misleading claims about their safety. Trump wants Kash Patel to be FBI director, even though Patel fought the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and wrote a book containing Trump’s “enemies list.” Well, don’t blame me. I didn’t vote for him.

Joe Czarnecki, Dallas, Pa.

As a resident of Pine Street in Society Hill, I was disappointed in the 15-8 vote by Society Hill Civic Association’s board opposing physical barriers along bike lanes. These barriers are needed to create a safe environment for cyclists, as the recent killing of Barbara Friedes proved. The motion that passed urged “discussions … with all stakeholders to find ways to address safety and accessibility for all.” But the city’s Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems has been spearheading just such discussions. The association’s vote thus seems more like a delay tactic than a genuine call for conversation.

The arguments raised against barriers are unconvincing. Opponents argue that barriers would impede disabled access or make it difficult to drop off groceries and passengers. In both instances, the city proposes breaks to ensure access where needed. Moreover, if this were a serious concern, streetside car parking would have to be banned — something opponents of bike barriers are not proposing. Opponents also argue that Society Hill has less traffic and is calmer than other neighborhoods, so there is no need for increased bike safety.

But every day I witness excessive speeding and ignored stop signs in the neighborhood. And numerous cyclists and pedestrians have been injured in Society Hill by cars over the last few years. The traffic-calming effect of barriers would benefit not only cyclists but also pedestrians. Moreover, it is confusing and inequitable to exempt neighborhoods from what should be citywide standards. The Pine-Spruce bike lanes are essential for workers, tourists, and bike enthusiasts. Let’s make them safer for everyone.

David J. Wolfsohn, Philadelphia

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