# Suggestive programs for special day exercises/Christmas

"I heard the bells of Christmas Day
 Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat,
 Of peace on earth, good will to men."
CHRISTMAS.
December Twenty-five.
$^*$ It both these exercises are used, it may be wise to omit some of the shorter ones.
(Give to the school room a festive appearance by means of evergreen wreaths, festoons, clusters of holly, and everything in keeping with the day. "Merry Christmas" made of cotton batting sprinkled with diamond dust makes a pretty motto.)
SANTA CLAUS MYTHS.
From Department of Public Instruction.
The Christmas messenger, so dear to the hearts of all children, takes different names and assumes varied forms in different countries.
Our own name, "Santa Claus," comes from St. Nicholas, the name dear to Hollanders; and in place of our stockings hung by the chimney, the Dutch children leave two little wooden shoes by the fireplace, firmly believing that the good old St. Nicholas will fill them with gifts.
In Russia, St. Nicholas is sometimes called "Father Christmas," and it is probable that the Santa Claus myth really originated in that country from the practice of a good old nobleman who, long, long ago, went about once a year distributing clothing, food, and toys to all the poor children he could find.
The Norwegian Santa is known as "Kristine," and the children leave candles burning in the windows to give her light.
In Belgium, on Christmas eve, the children put their wooden sabots, or shoes, on the window ledge, stuffing them full of oats and hay for the "Santa Claus pony;" in the early morning, when they run on tiptoe to look, finding the fodder all gone and the shoes brimming over with toys and sweetmeats, they clap their hands gleefully and think what fun it would be to wake in time to catch the pony munching his breakfast.
The French children generally believe that, while they sleep, the Christ-child comes down from the sky, accompanied by a band of angels bringing books and playthings. These gifts they find in the morning placed on both ends of the Christmas log. But in Alsace, the dispenser of Christmas gifts is supposed to be a lady robed in white, who has long yellow hair and a golden crown ornamented with tiny candles. She carries a basket of presents in one hand; a bell in the other; and a mysterious attendant, called Hans Trapp (of whom all children are afraid), always rides with her on the same donkey. It is customary for the children to place a bunch of hay behind the door for the donkey, and beside it a glass of wine for the "white lady" and Hans Trapp.
And so it is that all the world round happy children open their bright eyes very early each Christmas morning, their hearts filled with expectation of what the Christmas messenger has brought them.
MYTHS OF THE MISTLETOE.
ELLA M. POWERS.
(If possible, procure a bit of mistletoe for illustration)
During this season of the year many of our English steamers have among their freight great quantities of mistletoe. This bit of Christmas beauty from Merrie England will pass the custom-house without charge, and add its beauty to our Christmas evergreens. No evergreen is more famed in story or more celebrated in song. Its opposite fleshy leaves and beautiful pearl-like berries have long been held in high reverence. Among the earliest myths of the mistletoe is that from the Scandinavians:—
Balder, a great God, was warned in dreams that his life was in danger. His mother was Frigga. When she learned that his life was in danger she obtained an oath from all the created things of the earth that they would not harm Balder. She did not obtain an oath from the mistletoe for she thought such a weak plant could do no harm to her son. When the great God of Winter found that the mistletoe had given no oath; he secured a bunch of it and hurled it at Balder. It pierced him through the breast and he fell to the ground. His life was restored on the condition that the mistletoe should never again be used for evil purposes and that it should never live upon the ground. On this account, it is said, the mistletoe has since been growing upon the poplars, maples, hawthorns, and oaks. It climbs on the branches of these trees, draws its nourishment not from the ground but from the juices of the tree upon which it clings. Its popular name was missel or mistle, to which "tod," afterwards corrupted into "toe," has been added, meaning a bough, a fork, or a tine.
One of the earliest poems says:
Forth to the woods do the merry men go
To gather in the mistletoe.
Another queer tradition of the mistletoe has descended to us from the old monks. They claim that before the time of Christ the mistletoe was a tall tree, but after the wood was taken and placed in the cross of Christ, the tree could no longer rear its head in the forest.
The mistletoe was a sacred bit of wood to the Druids. Druidism was once the religion of the country of Wales, and among their customs none were of greater importance than the mid-winter festival. The principal object of veneration at that time was the mistletoe; this was cut with most imposing ceremonies. A Druid priest, with long white robe and long beard, ascended the oak upon which the mistletoe was found growing. He cut the plant with a knife of gold. Another priest stood beneath the tree to catch the boughs in the folds of his long white robe. Two milk-white bulls were sacrificed amid feastings and songs from the old Welsh bards. After the ceremonies each one kept a sprig of mistletoe as a guard against all evil and malicious influences. This mistletoe, with the serpent's egg in a golden case, woven around their necks, was charm against all evil.
After the religious significance of the mistletoe was lost, after it was denounced by Puritan and Churchman, the people still clung to their belief in its mystic charms. They continued to gather it and hang it in cottage and hall. The later Christians said it was symbolical of the conquests gained over the spirits of evil by the blessed event of the Nativity.
In England it was hung in farmhouse and palace. Any maiden might expect to be kissed if she stepped beneath the hanging spray, for,
"Under the mistletoe pearly and green
Meet the kind lips of the young and the old.
Under the mistletoe, hearts may be seen
Glowing as though they had never been cold."
and,
"Under the mistletoe peace and good will mingle."
From the old Scandinavian myth comes the custom of the mistletoe kiss at Yule-tide. The plant must be hung from the ceiling that it may not touch the earth, The kiss is to prove that it is not used for evil purposes, but for peace and love. This mistletoe, once so venerated, so sacred, has earned a conspicuous place among our Christmas evergreens.
—Journal of Education.
CHRISTMAS FAIRIES.
HELEN MORRIS SBDGEWICK.
(Enter two small boys—Queen's pages, saying in concert: "Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye! The court of the Christmas Fairies is about to assemble. Make way for the Queen of the Fairies." They arrange chair for throne, foot-stool, etc , then stand one on each side of throne at back. Enter Queen and two Maids of Honor; Queen takes place and maids stand one near each Page. Pages and maids say in concert:)
Gentle Christmas Fairy Queen,
Here thy Maids and Pages stand.
Touch us with thy wand so green,
We'll obey thy least command.
(Queen rises and touches first Maid with her sceptre and says:)
Dear Good-Will, do all the boys and girls in the world still remember you and love you?
Good-Will—Nearly all are my friends. Some poor children have never heard about Good-Will, and they quarrel and sometimes hurt one another and have bad wishes. But I am going about all over the world as quickily as I can, teaching them what a good fairy "Good-Will" is and how happy I can make them.
(Queen touches second Maid, saying:)
Your name is Peace. Do you make people peaceful as Christmas time?
Peace—Yes, and all the year. I keep little girls quiet and good and keep them from being afraid, and I make the little boys play their games without quarreling.
First Page—Your Majesty, the other Christmas Fairies are coming. (Enter First Fairy.)
Queen—Welcome to our fairy court. Sprite. Where have you been and what have you done?
First Fairy (girl)—I am the fairy of Christmas Beauty. I have gone through the world with my holly and mistletoe and evergreen. I have helped to trim the churches; I have hung wreathes in the windows; I have helped the flowers to bloom. But, best of all, I touched a little girl's thoughts and she began to think of the poor little girl around the corner who had no beauty in her home. Then I led the little girl down the dark street and smiled upon her while she put flowers in the window and hung evergreen over the fire-place.
Second Page—Another Fairy comes.
(Enter Second Fairy (boy) says:)
Hail, Christmas Queen. I have worked through all the year to fill boys hearts with Christmas feeling, and now it is Christmas time and I am happy. All the good boys are waiting for Santa Claus, and they are all going to do something to make Christmas happy for someone else.
Pages—Who comes here?
(Enter two fairies—boy and girl. They say in concert:)
Oh, Queen and Fairies, if you could have seen what we have seen!
All—What was it?
The Girl—Oh, such happy children! Hundreds and hundreds of them!
The Boy—And we helped to make them happy.
The Girl—Yes, we whispered to them about Christmas and Santa Claus.
The Boy—And stockings and candy.
The Girl—And they will be up early Christmas morning and they'll play—
The Boy—And skate and coast.
The Girl—And I helped hundreds of little girls to remember how glad their busy fingers could make some one, and they are dressing dolls and making aprons and warm hoods and— Oh, the whole world is happy. It is Christmas time!
The Boy—And so many boys are saving their pennies to buy skates and mittens for poorer boys. We have worked well this year.
​ (All the Fairies recite in concert:)
"Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas to-night.
Christmas in lands of the fir tree and pine,
Christmas in lands of the palm tree and vine,
Christmas where snow-peaks stand solemn and white,
Christmas where corn fields lie sunny and bright!
Christmas where children are hopeful and gay,
Christmas where old men are patient and gray,
Christmas where peace, like a dove in his flight,
Broods o'er brave men in the thick of the fight.
Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas to-night!
For the Christ-child who comes is the master of all,—
No palace too great and no cottage too small."
(Enter last Fairy as if in great hurry. He rushes to his place without stopping to bow to the Queen as the others have done. He says:)
I know I'm late, but have been working very hard.
Queen—Where have you been?
Last Fairy—Helping Santa Claus. Oh, how we have worked! There were the dolls and drums and skates and books and dolls' carriages and toy engines and boats and wagons and candy and oranges and nuts and warm mittens and pop-corn and toy furniture and—and—Oh, so many things all to be packed in that little sleigh; and the reindeer to harness and—Oh, there will be some happy children tomorrow!
All—Welcome to dear old Christmas.
(All sing with school any suitable Christmas song. At end of song Queen leaves throne and, followed by Maids, Pages, and Fairies in procession, walks from room )
—From Teacher's World.
THE TRUE HOME OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE.
Germany is the children's paradise through the Christmas season, for this is the true home of the Christmas tree. So many of these are required that the raising of the trees is an extensive industry, and many train loads are carried to the cities in anticipation of the day. The market places appear almost like forests of evergreens that spring up at Christmas time. The tree is usually brought home and concealed in some cool place till the evening of the twenty-third, when it is placed in the most favorable position in the best room and the doors are closed. The next day the decoration begins. As the mother-hurries in and out of the room, the excitement of the children grows more and more intense, and the air of mystery pervading the whole house is one of the enjoyable features of the holiday season.
Christmas is the occasion of family reunions. Grandmother always has the place of honor. As the time approaches for enjoying the tree, she gathers her grandchildren about her to tell them the story of the Christ-child, with the meaning of the Christmas tree; how the evergreen is meant to represent the life everlasting, the candle lights to recall the light of the world, and the star at the top of the tree is to remind them of the Star of Bethlehem.
Meanwhile the father has been lighting the candles on the tree; and, as the story is finished, parents and children gather about the still closed door and sing a Christmas hymn. Then the doors are opened, and again all sing a hymn. Beneath the tree are little baskets of apples, candies, and nuts, each marked with the name of its owner. As the hymn is finished, the children rush for the tree, each selecting the basket marked with his name. The presents are then distributed, and after being duly admired are put away until the morning. The little ones give to parents and each other the gifts over which they have toiled so long, and the evening is finished with singing and games.
Here in America the children are apt to scorn a present that is strictly useful, but it is not so in Germany. Although each child is remembered with some little toy, the gifts are most of them practical. One child will receive a much needed
​ pair of shoes, another a new dress or a pair of mittens. The fact that these come at Christmas time gives added value to even the simplest articles. An orange or an apple coming from the magic tree tastes sweeter than any other, and Christmas shoes or cap are enjoyed as such until they are worn out.
In some homes and schools the story is made impressive by means of a Christmas chandelier. A large wooden ring is constructed and covered with gilt paper. In this twenty-eight small candles are set. The first Sunday of Advent the chandelier is suspended from the ceiling, the room is darkened, one candle is lighted, and the first prophecy of Christ's coming is read from the Old Testament. The next day two candles are lighted and the second prophecy is read. Each day following one more candle is lighted until on Christmas eve the whole twenty-eight candles are lighted, thus telling the story of the prophecies fulfilled.
Christmas day is the time most enjoyed by the children, but the festivities continue for several days, lasting until New Year's or perhaps even until Twelfth Night.
At five o'clock Christmas morning all must be at church for the early service. In some parts of the country each person carries a Christmas candle to be placed on the edge of the pew in front, the candles furnishing all the light for the church. As the people go home, the trees in the houses are lighted and the shades are raised so that the Christmas cheer penetrates the darkness.
—From School Journal.
A CHRISTMAS GIFT.
ELLA M. POWERS.
This short dialogue may be given by two pupils, a boy and a girl. The girl should have an old doll in her arms, the boy should carry an old drum with the head broken.
Girl—
This doll, Kris Kringle brought last year.
Gone is one eye, her hair, her ear;
And now some new ones he must bring.
The kind that walk and talk and sing.
Boy—
Here is a drum I had last year,
You see it sounds now very queer;
I left it out once in the rain,
I've begged for other new drums in vain.
Girl— (Seating herself at a table.)
Let's write a letter to Santa Claus,
Telling him what to bring, because
It must be hard to bring, you see.
The very things we want; Dear me!
(Girl reaching for paper, ink, and pen, writes. Presently she reads:)
"I'll have a hundred wax dolls when you come.
And please bring a nice, rich sounding drum;
Bring hundreds of books and games, a store,
And a thousand candies and lots more."
The letter is done and now we'll away
And mail it to him right off today.
Boy—
I guess he'll think 'tis very shocking,
To expect so much in one small stocking.
—The Intelligence.
A CHRISTMAS EXERCISE.
(Written for Teachers' World and adapted for this program by Department of Public Instruction.)
LIZZIE M. HADLEY.
Scene:—An ordinary room or schoolroom. Teacher seated beside a desk; children dancing about the room singing.
Tune:—"Rock-a-Bye Baby."
Dance we together, happy and gay,
Cheerily singing of Christmas Day.
Backward and forward, then to and fro,
That is the way the children must go.
Little care we, though loud the winds blow.
Skies may be gray and fast fall the snow.
Put away books, be merry and free,
Christmas is coming! Hurrah, say we!
Teacher—
So you think Christmas is coming?
Children—
Of course we do, it's almost here, And Santa Clans, too, is drawing near.
We can almost hear the jingling of bells
That of his coming always tells.
Teacher—
And what will you do at Christmas,
My dear little girls and boys?
Children—
Be merry as birds the livelong day.
Have candy and lots of toys.
Teacher—
My dears, do you think that the wisest way,—
Is that all you will do on Christmas Day?
Children—
We will speak the truth, whatever we do,
And try to be honest, brave, and true.
Thoughtful for others, patient alway.
That's what we will do upon Christmas Day.
Teacher—
That I am sure is a better plan.
Be kind and do all the good you can.
(Knocking outside; sound of bells and some one singing.)
Tune:—"Oh, Have You Heard Geography Sung?"
Here I come knocking now at your door.
Now at your door, now at your door;
Here I come knocking now at your door,
While Christmas bells are a-ringing.
Children—
Who is there?
(Door opens and Santa Glaus puts in his head.)
Santa Claus—
I am Mr. Santa Claus,
Only come to call.
Here's a lot of Christmas things,
You can have them all.
​ (Puts his pack on the threshold.)
Children—
Thank you Mr. Santa Claus,
Yon are welcome here.
Please step in a moment, sir,
And pass the time of year.
We are only boys and girls
Keeping Christmas Day,
And we're always glad whene'er
We see you come this way.
Santa Claus—
Nay, I must not wait for you,
I have far to go.
Over Afric's burning sands,
Russia's steppes of snow.
With my reindeer, like a bird,
Through the air I fly.
Time is up—now little folks,
I am off—good bye.
(Goes away singing while the bells ring, until the sound is lost in the distance.)
Tune:—"The Spanish Cavalier."
Oh, farewell, farewell!
I can no longer stay
For I must away o'er the snow, dears;
The short winter's day
Will soon speed away.
Remember and be true where you go, dears.
(Children join hands and dance around, reciting:)
Old Santa Claus has gone
To other lands afar.
But O, he's left such loads of toys.
Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!
(Knock at the door; enter child, bearing a Christmas tree.) Child—
Here's a little Christmas tree.
All with toys 'tis laden.
Pretty gifts old Santa Claus
Brought for each wee maiden.
Boys—
(Beginning to cry.)
For the girls, O, dear! O, dear!
Where then, are our toys?
Teacher—
Don't you fear, good Santa Claus
Won't forget the boys.
Just outside, I'm sure I see.
Trumpet, fife, and drum, Hoops and marbles, skates and sleds,
Each one will have some.
(Enter children ringing small bells.)
We are little Chirstmas bells.
Don't you hear us ringing?
(Enter Carol singers.)
Carol Singers—
We are merry Christmas Waits.
You shall hear us sing.
(They sing "Beautiful Christmas Time.")
BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS TIME.
Adapted to the tune "Hail Columbia."
Beautiful this, our Christmas time,
Beautiful bells with silv'ry chime,
Beautiful words are these we say.
Beautiful words are these we say,— Jesus our King is born today,
 Jesus our King is born.
Beautiful angels came of old,
Sang to the shepherds near their fold;
Beautiful story told to them,
Beautiful story told to them,—
Jesus is born in Bethlehem,
 Is born in Bethlehem.
Beautiful songs they sing today,
Sweeter by far than earthly lay;
Join in the chorus, all who sing.
Join in the chorus, all who sing,— Joy to the world, our Lord is King,
 Joy, our Lord is King!
—From Sunshine Melodies.
(Enter Snap-Dragon, wearing a hideous mask and carrying a large punch bowl in which alcohol is burning.)
Snap Dragon—
I am Mr. Snap-Dragon,
But you needn't fear.
I am better than I look.
So receive me, dear.
Though about me you will see
Blue flames mountain high,
There's a present for each one,
Who his luck dares try.
(Enter several children dressed to represent pop-corn' and nuts. Pop-corn wears yellow and white and has a string of pop-corn around his neck; nuts wear brown. Both wear masks; the nuts brown, pop corn white ones.)
Pop-Corns—
We are little pop-corns, and
When around the fire
Christmas Eve, you're sitting all,
No one can jump higher.
Nuts—
We are Christmas nuts so brown,
That the boys are bringing.
Crack us while the merry girls
Christmas songs are singing.
Children—
Don't you think we well may be,
Happy, glad, and gay,
When so many things we have
For our Christmas Day?
Teacher—
Yes, my little children; and
Thank the One in heaven,
Who, from out His boundless love,
Christ's birthday has given.
​ Children—
Won't you tell the story, pray, Of that first glad Christmas Day?
Teacher—
Yes, I'll tell it.
Children—
Now?
Teacher—
Nay, wait, Someone stands outside the gate. Don't you hear their voices ring? ’Tis a Christmas song they sing.
(Voices outside singing.)
Tune:—"What a Friend We Have in Jesus."
We are conning, we are Coming, Where our bright rays all may see, We are coming, we are coming, Now to grace your Christmas tree. For we know that God is saying, As each ray doth shimmer down, That a Babe for you, dear children, Now is born in Bethlehem town.
(Enter several children. They wear buff dresses and a hand of gift paper about their foreheads with one star in the center.)
Children—
Who are you?
Stars—
Don’t you know us? Then, on some starry night, Look upward to the heavens, You will see us shining bright. Our homes are in the ether; We are stars that gem the sky; And we come to you, dear children, From that blue dome up on high. We've come to tell unto you, How once, when he looked down, Upon the humble dwellings In ancient Bethlehem town, We saw where, in a stable, All cradled in the hay, Within a lowly manger, The Baby Jesus lay.
First Star—
I saw out on the hillsides Tile wondering shepherds, bowed Before the heavenly choir, A shining, glorious crowd.
Second Star—
Their ladder reached the heavens And loud their voices rang, As to the awestruck shepherds, The heavenly chorus sang. "Peace, peace on earth," they chanted, "Good will, good will," and then, "Glad tidings We are bringing, Unto the sons of men."
Third Star—
I shone Within the stable, And there the shepherds saw, Before that Baby bending,  In mute, adoring awe.
Fourth Star—
Far off, across the desert, From their distant Eastern home With balm and myrrh and spices, I saw three Wise Men come
Fifth Star—
'Twas I who Went before them, Through all the weary way, And shone above the stable, Where the little Christ-child lay.
Sixth Star—
And when the Wise Men found Him, Led by a guiding star I saw the precious jewels They brought Him from afar.
Together—
Then when the Babe they'd worshipped.— Each Wise Man, well content, Back to the Eastern country, By another pathway went, This is the precious story, So old, yet ever new, And we have come, dear children, To tell it unto you.
Tune—"Lightly Row."
All Sing—
From the starry realms of space, We have come a weary way, To help the little children keep A merry Christmas Day.
Chorus—
We are shining. shining for you, Shining for you, little children dear, For Christmas Day is ever the best, The best of all the year.
Children recite—
O, little stars that come to earth, To tell us of the Christ-child's birth, We welcome you and, hand in hand, Together a united band, Let us so gayly march along And wake the echoes with a song; And while to heaven the chorus swells, Loud let us ring the Christmas bells.
(They join hands and march two by two around the stage, ringing bells and singing "The Christmas Welcome".)
THE CHRISTMAS WELCOME.
Tune—"Tramp, Tramp, Tramp"
When the summer time is passed and the harvest housed at last,  And the woods are standing bare and brown and sere, When the frost is sharp at night, and the days are short and bright,  Comes the gladdest, merriest time of all the year.
Chorus—
Shout, boys, shout the hearty welcome!  Greet Old Chrisimas with a roar! He has met us with good cheer for this many a merry year,  And we hope he'll meet us all for many more.
Then away with every cloud that our pleasure might enshroud,  And away with every word and look unkind; Let old quarrels all be healed and old friendships closer sealed,  And our lives with sweeter, purer ties entwined.
Since We know the blessed power of this happy Christmas hour,  We will keep its holy spell upon our heart. That each evil thing within that would tempt us into sin,  May forever from our peaceful souls depart.
—From Song Knapsack.
CHRISTMAS DAY.
Everybody knows that Christmas Day falls on the 25th of December. Of course! So it does—now. But it did not always do so. In the early centuries of Christianity, the feast was kept up at various dates in the months of January, April, and May. For more than three hundred years, January 6th was Christmas day in the Eastern Church. The Abyssinians call June 21 Christmas day; while among the Armenians Christmas day has always been January 18, and so it is now; but since the middle of the fifth century Christians of both the Occident and Orient have generally agreed to celebrate the 25th of December.
A CHRISTMAS PROBLEM.
Suppose the reindeer that Santa Claus drives,  Should get frightened and run far away, And no one could ever find them again,  What then would the children say?
Then Santa Claus couldn't come any more,  For he never could find his way And walk so far in one short night,  Unless each day was a Christmas day.
—The Intelligence.
SOME CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS.
From Department of Public Instruction.
Many of our Christmas customs, such as the hanging of the mistletoe and decorating with holly, come from England, though some of the most beautiful usages are unpracticed by us.
One such custom is the gathering of the children about the fire on Christmas Eve (after they have played "blind man‘s buff" or "shoe the white mare" until weary) and there, amid the warm radiance of the great Yule-log, rehearsing the old, old story of the Christ-child in whose honor is all Christmas giving. For in England, be it said, Christmas is still Christ's Mass.
The singing of carols is another beautiful custom that still prevails in some parts of England, France, Germany, and Russia, where boys and girls go about singing Christmas songs beneath the windows of every house and receiving money in return, which they spend for Christmas goodies or articles more needed in their homes. In Russia, one of the singers carries a large star as the emblem of the light that brightens the universe.
The Christmas dinner of the birds is a pretty Norwegian custom. Every barn door or gable is decorated with a sheaf of grain fastened to a long pole, even the very poorest people managing to save a few stalks for their feathered pets, special dinner is also given the cattle on this day, because Christ was laid in a manger at his birth; and the Norwegian children believe that at midnight of Christmas-eve, all the cattle turn their faces inward the east and bow down in worship of Christ.
The Christmas festivities of Norway continue for thirteen days, during which time the people go about dressed in their gayest raiment, and every departing guest must partake of the strong Yule ale,
A quaint custom is practiced in Brittany, where the country people, young and old, go to midnight mass, each carrying a lantern. The poor old women of the parish await their arrival outside the church and are given the care of these lanterns, at close of the service receiving a piece of money as they return them to the owners. Another queer custom also practiced here is the bringing in at the Christmas dinner of a large cake containing a single bean. All the girls partake, and the one who ﬁnds the bean becomes queen of the festival. She chooses a king, and the royal pair are shown special honors throughout Christmas-tide.