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

rra e,.,jval OF the Christian Church, observed Oh
A.. .n,;v.rsary of the birth of the Savior, was tt
,ho ,,o., ebangeable of the Christian holidays |
IL ,-ss eroouertly COMPOUNDED with the Epiphany
and celebrated by the Eastern CHURCHES In the
-. q mil and May. In the Nth Century IN |
:,.as,;,ot;o, was made concerning the day oil
T,hr;s,s ;tv aud the result Of The inquiry was
an ocreemen, by the tbeologans to celebrate 1t on
,be S5,h Of December. The decision was founded
rnon the tables of tho Censors IN the archives oil
Rome. Ia Roman Catholic countries Christmas
Davi, ,shered in by the celebration OF three masses
one at midnight, st early dawn, and one In
the morning. This custom dates from the Vita
Century. During the middle ages the day was de-
voted TO dramatic mysteries, performed by persons
IN orotescae masks aud curious costumes The peo
ole gang Christmas carols or caDt.cles "a they were
called. in imitation Of the songs of tie shepherds al
TIE birth Of Christ. These songs were enlivened
by d,rces, aud by TIE music of orgnps, tainbouTs,
guitars ard victims, each dancer holding in his hand
a lighted taTer. In France, England ard Italy,
throughout Edrops indeed, bells are rung at dead
midright, and sfer the solemn celebration Of the
mass collation. is served that tho jewellers may be
better able to endure the fGligucs Of the night.
Among the reyels Of the Christmas festivities were
the "fca.tS Of fools" and grotesque ea'uInala
called December liteities." In the Protestant dis
tricts Of Germany and in the North of Earopc, this
.eaton is called tue cbi!drens festival" large
yow bongh is set up in the psrlor, and loaded with
presents Cor the httle people and ten lighted with
tapers; ths, custom is copied here. The Christ
mas tree was first erected in Germany. Prior to
this custom the presents made By all the parents in
the village were zen, to some one person who wore
high bnskius q white robe sad huge wig, known
a. Kteci RnpcYf mammoth Santa Claus. W no went
from house to bouse to bestow the giils on the
chilacn. The l.rders OF the noble, filed with
capons. hens turkeys geese, ducks beef mutton, &c.
"ola Christians. brought his sports again;
Twas Cnfis.mls bYoaohed the midnight ale;
Twas cbr,sisuss told tue uieei ess isle'
4 Chrs;alas gsDJol Of. wooid cheer
poof man heart hlonsa .leli the year
The custom Of decorating churches aud other
buildings with evergreens ia derived from Tie an-
Gent Druid IVactices. The holly, ivy, rosemary,
n.ialetoe and laurel were the favorite trimmings
chsplets Of these were also wosa--honoe the phrase
"kiss under tile rose" In this country the Pur-
taus opposed Christmas pastimes, consequently the
day is less observed in New-Engaid taan in the
other States. la some of The States IL lie legal
bodag. end is usually observed by religious service
by making cal, ard giving presents. In The
Sasctator is 4 paper dated jan. IL, l712, in which
young lady complains that Christmas 30 over
decked the Church With greens she could not see
the young batonet three pews OF. She SAID the
Clm.eA locked ike a green house, and the middle
sole waa n shady walk. Tie pupi!wes so covered
with holly and rosemary that light fellow took
occasion 70 say that the congregation heard tho
word OF, OF a bash Ike Moses.
Since W are placed IN tbi. world for the purpose
Of making II be.er ans happier, let Ms look beyond
our larders and the boundaries OF business anu
HIGHER than the smoke OF our cbnpeys and tue
spires OF orr steeples, up to Heaven, and put oar
prayer into deed that ali cray enjoy herry
Christ a,as who come within the radius of iuu-
ence.
ogUHCH DECURArIUss.
Trinity Church is taseiuIiy ard srtisticaily orna
u.n,od with evercreens. I, has the appearance d
aforest temple in which we pass through labyrinth
OF laurel and pine The columns, windows, organ
chamber transept nave and s.ees are decorated
Miniature trees are placed at the parcs between th
windows. the pupi, il adorned wish fesoons OF la1
raj and plated eyereresns are placed upon the bar
tsrunl font and altar rails. At the entrance 70 tli
chapcel three massive arches have been raised eui
b mounted by Cross; in these arches shields bsar
Nj leg eoceshstical devices Yesterday afternoon IL
church was flied with children and their friends
The services were conducted by the Rev. DIR. VII
ton and ohsrs. An address was read, commenciu,
sfollows;
oeone al sc FiifuI joyful and Triumphant.
o csl.s - y cone yo 20 Beih'ehein'
Bc:n hl.e, talod him. Lord sld Kit sOf Angels!
-ie AMI let gs wor-hip
r O come and IL. us woI,Ap
Q cc-le aS4 lie. us wofsAf, lc.4lng the Lord!
After Which tue Christmas Carol was sung--th
bells ringing at the close of each sianza:
Alhou "a on earth is sadness
Aud sofTOV ius hearts abound
We s-l tLe Day with gstness
When scass OF Peace nliy sound.
An address in verse called the Christma Tree cor
cluded the exercises. In this splendid church MOI
toos meet the eye at every turn. The following is
specimen:
A: Glory 70 God 70 the highest and on earth
sv Peace, good viii toward msh
's..'..''..''.....'.'....''.
St. P4ais Chapel, St. Johns Chapel Trinit
Chapel, 81. Lakes Church, Graoe Church. Chris
Church, s.. AIMS Church for Deaf Mutss are al
beautifully decorated. ia tue Church for Dea
Mates Kay b. seea the following motto:
........................a......
EMANUEL
q" God with Is.D
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
Tbis 10 surrounded b. svergrecns III St. Lukc's
Church:
s.''.''s.s~-.'ss.''s'
The Ncrd sds flesh
''''".''s.'''..ss'....
Many Of the notices ere surrounded by the most
elaborate borders Of body and lane
~ Milo ff. fl.-.'