Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-12-23
Christmas is Coming Msrris cbr;.,

euiissnaas 10 SoMinb - Merle Christina.
The very enumeration Of which word r.u..,
how many hearts 10 bound ami thr,I, v;,,
"reminiscences Of the halcyon day, Of rbi,t.
hood! Since the advent Of our Lord ,t...
day has been set apart, in Christian land,
as one hullcwei by the most sacred ASSOC,
tons and dearest hopes. lis Observance
sacred festival is amongst the most ,i..
surable and endearIug ceremonies ronna.,..
with the Christian religion. In all the .,.,
subsequent TO the inauguration of the p,n,..
Masters precepts. the solemnitics and f..
Invites incident Il Christmas. hay, L..,.
steadtastly adhered 10. The earlIc-, ,,ti.,.r
notice of the day was made hy The,nl,I,.
Bishop OF Antioch. in the year 4 b Ia
But not until the twelfth century was Chri.,
mas celebrated rs great national Chri.,,o,
festival in England Under the reign a,
Henry H., II was commrmoratrd will H..
creates, erlR. In l42S. the Recurrence.
Christmas caused suspension of hn,tiIri..
ut the siege of Orleans English L,rI,
requesting Of tho French commander. tl..,
they might have night OF mnstrelsy wi,b
trumpets and clarions: which. acror,lip,,,
ancient chroniclers, was granted. and .n,u,
in melodious exercises, that were felt l., H.
delightful. Still later, one Of the vl,.,-
vances in "Mcrrie England" was the burn.
ing of the "iule Log" which blszed IN
every hearth, and which must be lighted
from fragment of the last wear. brand
carefully preserved for the purpose. TIN,
custom, thus universally observed j. Nm.
described by llerrick, tn,orte poet v, the
day:
Come bring with u noise
NJ merric, mcrrie boy,
The Christmas log 10 the trng
While my good dame, she
Bids ye all 10 lie free.
Aud drink To your hearts losiruy
With the last years hraul
Light the new block. and
For good success III hi spending
On your psaltrics play
That swec, luck may
Come while the log i t"Inilng lkinilingA
In these olden times, IA striking feature IN
the observance Of the Christmas festival Wa.
the universal sympathy existing among the
people, from the prince 10 tho bcggar.
The damsel donned her kirtlr sheen,
Tho bali was dressed with hull, green.
Forth to the wood did merry men 90
L" gather III the mlsleiue.
Then opened wide tue hur0u's hall
To vassal, tenant. scri. and all!
Power laid hi. rod OF rulc n,rc.
Aud ceremony dotted his pride.
The heir. with roses ia hIs shoes.
That might might village paituyr cauusu.
The lord. undcrosatiug, share
The wi gar game III post aud pair
The fro with vol dried logs supplied
Went waving up the chimney WIDE
The huge hall tables otkcn tac.
Scrubbed till it shonc. ia, time 10 grace,
Bore then upon il MASSIVE board
No mark 10 part the squire aud lord
Then was brought in the Tasty Drawn,
BY old blue coated serving man.
Then the grim hoars head frownsi On high,
Crested with bays aud rosemary.
The wassel round, in good brown bowl
iarnShed with ribbons, blithriy trowl.
Then the huge -irloin rocked; hard hy
Plum pudding stood, and Chri.tms. le
Nor failed old Scotland to produce
At such high tilc her sHv"ry gnu-e.
Then came the merry masqGrrs IN.
And carols r"ared With bliihosomc din
IL unnelodou, was the song
II WAS hearty note and strong.
Who lists may. in their MINIMIZING,
Traces OF ancient mystery;
White shirts supplied IL" masquerade.
And sInutted cheeks the visor made
But, Oh what masquers, richly Digit,
Can boast o, Blossoms half 50 l2ht
England was merry England. HLeu
Old Christmas brought hs sport. again.
Twas Christmas broached the migh,e,t ale.
Twas Christina. told tbU mcrricst tale
Christmas gamhoi Oft would cheer
The poor man i aoarl through hall the year
Minstrelsy and song have always formela
portion of the Christmas celebration from
the time Of the Heavenly chorus. sung by
the angel bands AS they hailed the birth u
the Redeemer on the plains Of Bethlehem.
We must for want Of space. close our bret
notice Of this time honored event, admou'
ishng our readers that gratitude for merclee
enjoyed by Us, should act IA u powerful IN
centive TO love and good works" towards oar
less fortunate brethren. ISnnsyiranidn.