Litchfield enquirer., 1861-12-26
RitfkfeI6 Gn41ttt.
THURSDAY. DEC. 26, 1861.
Merry Yule.


 Could we roll back the eighteen centuries that have elapsed since the birth os the Saviour of the World, and trace the various Christmas days that have been celebrated from year to year by saint and sinner, we might receive fuller ap- preciaton of the day, its recognition, its observ- ances and its festivities.
 The day has been connected by those compe- tent to form judgment, with the Roman Sat- urnalia, and it is certain that in many of its ex- stent observances in the old world traces of this heathen festival are distingushable. In the nights. of the three Thursdays preceding the Ma tivity, the young of either sex in Germany go about beating the doors of the houses, singing the near birth of the Saviour, and wishing the inhabitants Happy New Year. So, early in English History, Christmas Eve was called the Mothers Niyh or Night of Me Aothsrs, per haps on account of the ceremonies used by these during their vigil. The day of this vigil was passed in feasting and praying, but with the evening the sports begun. About seven or eight o'clock, hot cakes were drawn from the oven, ale, cider and spirits went freely round, and the carol singing was commenced, which was con. tinued through the greater part of the night and Christmas day itself was given up to feasting and rejoicing.
 But its origin has also been ascribed to astro- l nomical observation merely, to celebrate the wintei sclstice, and the consequently approaching prolongation of the days, as is demonstrated by the Christmas lights and Yule-logs, the symbols of increasing light and heat. Thus the Christ. mas candles were said to be kept burning during the twelve nights of the festival, and the Yule- log to burn from the beginning to the end.
 However this all may be, it is certain that the Church, in ages far remote, took up the festivsl as celebrating the era of the Saviours birth. He, said they, was the "Light of the World," so His coming was typi6ed by these, emblems. Gradually this custom of celebrating the feast as holy-day obtained, until now, in all Chris tendon, almost universally celebrated, is this merricst day of the year, MERRY, MERRY CHRIST MAS.
 So, it seems to us, we can never make too much of this timehonored festival. Puritan born though we are, we would have it celebrated in every house and round every hearth stone in New England. We would have the yuls log, so big as the biggest hearth in our house could con- tain, the candles, the rings, the evergreen, the bay and the holly, not forgetting the miseltoe bough and the Tree for the Children. We have need of Holidays, and what more appropriate or dignised holiday than this? Now be it the time for merry making and mirth. Now the time for smiles and laughter. Now the hurrying feet and twinklng eyes and merry faces. Now ths most gladsome day of all the yearl
 lift be good to remember the poor, if it be il. ia to seek the pa ern Il hearh if it be Chris tan to wish peace ou earth and good will to men, then certainly none who recognize the perpetual obligation of these sentiments and duties can refuse to join in celebrating the day which the l common consent of Christendom has fixed upon to commemorate the birth of the Saviour. A happy Christmas as well as merry one we wish all our readers. There are some hearts chastened by affliction, to whom the merry salu tation merely would seem to be a mockery /; but the bruised heart may find healing and the sor- rowful holy joy in those elevated themes of thought and motives Of action which can make this day happy Christmas to every one who acknowledges the sacredness of the season ;- happy to the sad. by soothing their sorrow happy to the glad, by increasing their joy.