New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-25
GrrH ANEEis.

CUsssTnAs.
An atheist people can have no festiVnls.
No DAY of tho year eau be consesra.ed by
them 60 memories Of spiritual devotion OF
affection, From nothing comes L1tbing.
Although she intensites # Christmas observ-
ancss are m proportion to the vital Ca:aoii-
ci,m of the country or epcch, and the prsva
erse accordingly of gorgeous ceremonial md
artistic symtoli,m; siill, cus up as we ae
into sec,s, 10 longer acknowledging spintufl
infallisiIity or .cclesiastic ceatralizstion ans
unity. tc idea Of Christmas IA 20 Rsnlle, so
refined, so poetic, 40 suggestive q tue mos,
hailowed ties which bind parent to. child, md
generatica to generation, cifcilry tDem 10
golden luss of lJye-that neither religious
dissidence, nor independence has been able to
extirpate the essential spirit Of the antique
-Gncti.ies and obserysnccs which originally
gave it such force.
The cercmonials of Christmas arc 1or 70 the
/ Csl-ch, AID not to Apostolic practice - ramon.
10 ins,iiution lies in sso misis of easguiy.
We are told that Pops Telesophorrs A. ID.
I 1873 set il going. But that is 50 Coudy m
his:orico-ecclesiasiic po,;sd, that wo arc en-
titled TO the benefit Of Doubt rcspeo,ag the
statement. Bat old fable is as good q, fact
wLon old fable carries moral with 81. Tie
inqu.r'os respecting the na'iyisy-day by lie "a
lLeFs Of the fourth century were doubtless very
amiab,o--but they were merely spccnle oos--
speaking according 20 The accuracy OF b.s.0sy
! We acsep. toe 18th OF December. Tat -
enough. From that period, The fourth century,
ill this day, tho date for tho festival hae been
tho same.
whose, however, would really tasto tls in
tensit,es. of Christians c.ieDratIons must so,e
the difference between tho fearful and narky
desolations of Good Friday, when tho vast and
sublime Turopean Cath.dra!s are drsped in back
when the song-.he musi, in watch the Church
so elorcs, 10 suspended n the choked gIisi oil
retrospective horror at the crucliixion; be-
tween this AMI the tremendous @sihetlco'
spirtlal demonstration of the high-mess oi
Christmas; when tho antique Flora sheds her
most brilliant hues and lovely odors; when
tho symbolism of tie flames of love Bin-
mines the altar; when the grand, sororous,
detained and intonea Latin, with is. mag
nidcent Infections, and irm-cut syilabications,
rushing down through all the centuries toI
three thousand years, unshorn Of feEcs OF
beauty-tho classic boud Of classic minds
the storehouse OF the theology of the pas,--oI
science, and Of art;-Shen the king O. instru'
ments brea:hes or thunders forth ito accOrds;
when the choir makes the attitudes of the gothic
arch resound with hymns of praise, or wal as with
the groans Of tie dying Saviour in tho chrometl'
tones Of artistic ngonies on the defamation 81
The Agnas Dei; when the sense IL drunk WIFI
rbs preternatnral grandeur of the inul.iiorm cere
,nopialg-anl tho cir ia slab with tho incense %
Che faiihful-t6e imagination boras back on tn'
plumes Of spiritualism 10 the tat5smiess Past
when all this is concentrated, witnessed, ielt
: and epioyed-then wo have the snpernal mean
nge. proportions, harmones, Of Christmas
of Christmas 40 it doomed forth when IN
Church was tho State, aud the Virgin Az
b Child, and Christ and the Apostles, Ia tho su
perb obectisites OF paiatng and sculpture
l dwe,t in the street, the garden, the iornia, III
legislative ball, as well rs ia tho eengenia
sanctities of Ge House Of God.
: In this country we miss all tho Christina
carols which make the eve 30 merry. tn
. respect for, or worship Of, the Virgin he2e ba
u dyindled down to the circle Of few churches
. In some countries in Europe it il still aliv'
and Christmas is marked for aeasU eless feall
D to tho Blessed Lady. We have fools plent.
l. 4. e
Il. Pope Of Fools aud bearing him on IL
+, X shoulders of willing fools for the nonce.-am
4. untransntablo argo, and unearthy noises--th
Il" las passed away as one Of tue ceremonies
70 Christmas. Some relics remain, however. III
.. Christmas tree. the remnant Of the Druid
\, Mistletoe--set forth Ia tho opera of Norma
u tho presenting Of toys to childen-she myth
y Santa Claus yet remain. The fstPauucAe