Smyrna times., 1856-01-02

to utter the old-fashioned but hearty "Much
good may it do you - and to give and receive
the congratulations of the season.
A friend, whose childhood was spent in
farmhouse, tells us that, besides the customary
mince pies and plum -puddings, there was
large cake called the yule-cake, overspread
with leaves and ornaments and that on Christ
mas Eve an immense candle, gaily decorated,
and for which candlestck used at no other
period was brought forth, was lighted, and a
| huge block of wood, called the yue log, laid
on the fire, both of which burned till morning.
In the meanwhile table was spread in the
kitchen, covered with pork pies, bread and
cheese, elder wine, and ale and after the
family had supped on furmty, all went to bed
NOT to sleep, it appeared, for about midnight
the village singers, with the varied instruments
that formed the choir of the church, in humble
Imitation of the " Gloria in excelsis," that pri-
NAL carol sounding by night above the sheel-
folds on the plains of Bethlehem, burst beneath
the windows, and the master of the house rose
up aud let them in.
1t was unlu ky, cording to local s"p"rsti
tion, for any but back-headed person to enter
the house first, and oil these occasions the vet
Grams of the party, who had headed the mus-
clans on the annual recurrence of the vigil for
some thirty years, always took precedence,
! though his hair was white as the winter snow,
but then, it had once been black!
In Ireland, the custom of burning gigantic
candles still prevails amongst the Catholic
community on Christmas Eve, and in the north
of England it is also common. Light at all
times appears to have been used on occasions
of festivity and rejoicing-from the rude bon-
fire to the wax-lit drawng-room; but in these
candles we trace another remnant of the ancient
type OF the seasons rejolcngs, for it was the
custom of the Romans during the festival of
the Saturnalia, to present wax Candles to each
other.
In the yule log, or huge block of coal, which
in the North answers the same purpose, and
Is carefully reserved for the occasion, Brand
sees the counter part of the Midsummer fires,
made within doors on account of the cold wea-
: ther of the winter solstice those in the hot
seasons were kinded in the open air.
Bede, in speaking of the observances of
Christmas Eve, tells US that this was the very
night observed in the land before, by heather
Saxons. "They began their year," he says,
on the eighth of the calends OF January, now
our Christmas Day; and the very night before
!, which is now holy to US, was by them called,
on account of its ceremonies, the mother of
nights"
The yule log was one of these ceremonies,
and seems to have been used by them as an
emblem Of the return of the sun.
> Christianity, while clinging to these ancient
customs, revised their symbolism to suit itself,
. and made feast of lights" as Christmas was
primitvely called in the church, type of the
Eternal it was also said to represent the glory
that illuminated the fields and shone about the
. shepherds in their night watch; and by others
: to refer to John the Baptist, whose advent wat
= likened to burning and a shining light, anC
" to the going forth of the apostles, and to tina
- light of the world, the son of man himself.
. But the old leaven clung to the anniversary
under its new name, and the festive spirit o
the Saturnala, rather than the fasting one en-
. joined by Gregory Nanzen and the early faith
" ers of the church, continued, and even still
continues to (if it does not adorn cross paths
y feed the eye and delight the ear, to feast an
- drink, crown doors, and encourage dancing
just as in those days when the stern old fathe
:, penned his exhortation on fUrbearance fror
- them. Only Christianity has tempered excet
- with moderation, and the refinement OF il
''' teaching has softened down the fierce licenf
of wild joy which the restoration of mere
peace, and brotherhood to earth but for fe
- short days impaired to the pagans. ...
= The burden of the angels song for Us is n
"' for days, but to the end of time, and every ye
' brings us more nearly to its full fruition. IT
W same jubilant feeling, therefore, that hung Z
!, portals of the Roman houses with boughs inc
'"e cative of victory and peace, that bound ths
STATS with branches OF the vine, may well de
Iue Christian hearts and houses at this period tn
ien read another myth in the bright evergreen tn
MO the immortal youth of the Boy God (even tn
inu own), and 10 their practical translation OF
tne angelic demonstrating the hungry, cloth
Ftn' the naked, and letting in the light Of intel
the on those who sit in darkness, even the tn
''5 . darkness Of ignorance;" for with olvl
clown we believe there is no other-do ho
as'' "a no fancied retrospect, no bygone golden a
Igh- but link the present days with brighter one
'er' come. Heprck has left u, in his fresh
'ed raey rhyme, lively notion Of Christmas
. in his days:
"Come bring with a noise,
sup My merry. merry boys.
sat The Christmas log TO the firlngi
lie at While my good dame, she
hose Bids ye all be ifee,
c., And drink TO your hearts desiring;
With the last years brand
and Light the new block and
For good success 10 his spending
,oo 90 vour usalteries play - b. .ns8