The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-12-28
CHRISTMAS.

The institution of CHRISTMAS, (Christ and
mass) is attributed to Pope TELEsPHoRUs,
who died A. D. l38. At first it was the most
movable of the Christian festive days, often
confounded with the Epipliany-a festival
to commemorate the appearance of CHRIST
to the magi or wise men of the east-and
was celebrated in many of the early Christ
ian churches in April and May. In the
fourth century Pope JULIUS I, ordered an
investigation to be made concerning the day
of CHR1sr's nativity. The result of the in
quiry by the theologians of the east and
west, was an agreement on the 25th of De-.
cember, as the birth day of our Savior.
The chief grounds for the decision were the
tables of the censors, in the archives of
Rome and although in the opinion of the
fathers, there was not authentic proof of the
Identification of the day, yet the decision
was uniformly accepted, and from that time
the nativity has been celebrated throughout
the church on the. same day. 1t has also
been common tradition, that CHRIST was
born about the middle of the night and in this
we have the origin of custom of the Roman
Catholics in ushering in Christmas day, by
the celebration of mass at midnight. A
writer gives, in the following extracts, des-
cription of the origin Of many of the Christ
mas observances of the present day:
During the middle ages it was celebrated
by the gay fantastic spectacle of dramatic
mysteries and moralities, performed by per-
sonages in grotesque masks and singular
costumes. The scenery usually represented
an infant in cradle, surrounded by the
Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, by bulls
heads, cherubs, eastern magi, and manifold
ornaments. The custom of singing can't.
cles at Christmas, called carols, which re-
called the songs Of the shepherds at the
birth of Christ, dates from the time when
the common people ceased to understand
Latin. The bishops and lower clergy often
joined with the populace in carolling, and
the songs were enlivened by dances and by
the music of tambours, guitars, violins, and
organs. Fathers, mothers, sons and daugh-
ters mingled together in the dance; if in the
night, each bearing in his hand lighted
wax taper. During the last days preceding
Christmas it is still the custom for Calabri-
an minstrels to descend from the mountains
to Naples and Rome, saluting the shrines of
the virgin mother with their wild music,
under the poetical notion of cheering her
until the birth.time of her infant at the ap.
preaching Christmas. In picture of the
nativity by Raphael he has introduced a
shepherd at the door playing on sort of
bagpipe. Preparatory to Christmas the
bells are rung at dead midnight throughout
England and the continent ; and after the
solemn celebration of the mass, for which
the churches in France and Italy are mag
niticently adorned, it is usual for the revel.
lers to pal take of collation. (reveillon,) that
they may be better able to sustain the fa-
tigues of the night. In the Protestant dis
tricts of Germany and the north of Egrope,
Christmas was often called the children's
festival" and Christmas eve is devoted to
giving presents, especially between parents
and children, and brothers and sisters, by
means OF the so-caled Christmas tree. For
merly, and still in some of the smaller viii
lagos of North Germany, the presents made
by all the parents were sent to some one
person, who, in high buskins, white robe,
a mask, and an enormous flax wig, becom-
ing the bugbear of children, known as
Knecht Rupert, goes from house to house, is
received by the parents with great pomp
and reverence, calls for the children, and
bestows the intended gifts upon them ac-
cording to the character which he hears
from the parents after severe inquiries.
Christmas has always been at once re-
ligious, domestic, and merry making festival
in England, equally for every rank and
every age. The revels used to begin on
Christmas eve, and continued often till
Candlemas February p, every day being
holiday till twelfth.ni ight (January 6). In
the houses of the mobiles "lord of misrule,"
or "abbot of unreason," was appointed,
whose Office was "to make the rarest past
times, to delight the beholder," and whose
dominion lasted from All-hallow eve"
October 3l) till Candlemas day. The
larder was filled with capons, hens, turkeys,
geese, ducks, beef, mutton, pork, pies, pud-
dings, nuts, plums, sugar, and honey. The
Italians have following proverb: "He has
more business than English ovens at Christ
mas" The tenants were entertained at the
hall; and the lord of the manor and bis fam.
lily encouraged every art conducive to
mirth.
On Christmas eve the bells were rung
On Christmas eve the mass was sung;
That only night, in all the year,
Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear.
Then opened wide the baron's hall,
To vassal. tenant, serf, and all;
Power laid his rod of rule aside,
And ceremony doffed his pride.
The heir, with roses in his shoes,
That night might village partner choose.
All hailed, with uncontrolled delight
And general voice, the happy night