Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1863-12-24
Christmas.

Another day and Christmas will return 10 VA,
the period Of universal fcstlvily aud secular re-
joicing, the time when family groups, ceasing
from worldly cares, ARE for a while restored, aud
the old and young are clustered around The fam
liar heosihstone, aiming TO make tia season Il
enjoyment and TO give practical expression to the
oft'repcatcd greeting Of Merry Christmas to all
In days long since passed away, this holiday was
ono Of wild uproarous gloc in all European ooun-
tries, but those unbridled exhibitions are happily
fading away, and the season is rather one Of mu.
tual congratulation than of carnival revelings.
Christmas IL the Anniversary on which Chris
tians celebrate the birth of the savior, though
why this period should have been chosen has long
been matter of doubt. The epoch is the height
Of the rainy season in Palestine, and shepherds
'abiding iu tie field tending their nocks by
night" would choose somc other time than this
for their pastoral exercises. The festival was
celebrated in the month Of April or May during
the earlier ages Of the church, yet the time seems
to have been changed to mid. winter during the
fourth century under Pope julius l., and has re
manned unchanged till now, save by the iutroduc.
sNH VI WY oiNbOii'h y otSiht tlo hho-i'ho
horng the old style Observing, however, their
Christmas twelve days later.
In England and Scotland the day was observed
a. very early period Divine services we're
held as now. The yue log was brought forward
and while it cracked and bazcd upon the hearth
the wassai bowl was freely circulated. Then all
engaged in various games mans buff, con
juring feats, dipping for apples in tub of water,
and the like. The mistletoe bough, Druidic
relic, was an important part Of the paraphernalia,
AMI the idea is still retained in the Christmas
Tree, laden with its bons Lons, which graces the
family circle in America. The visits of Santa
Claus are of German or Morse origin. Emigra-
ting here from Fatherland in company with the
earliest voyagers, he has become q sanctifed be-
ing, never failing to make his appearance when
really wanted And re is always right welcome
With what anxiety the miniature editions of hu
manity look for his annual visitation, and 60
through the time honored ceremony Of stocking
suspension, in anticipation of numerous favors.
And then when the wind whistles around the fam.
lily mansion with what naircte comes the question
is that Santa Claus =" and even, at an adya need
age, when older heads than theirs have conde.
seeded to induct them into the sacred mysteries
of these nocturnal visits, the reminiscence is
present, and the night passes in feverish wonder.
ings as to whether the gifts do really come down
the chimney.
There is one point in which Americans have
the advantage over the Britisher. In England,
Christmas is the time when the yearly bills must
be settled. On that eventlul day come into the
household long lists of articles received from the
butcher, baker, and tailor, OF visits from the fam
lily physician, and often of church dues. Then
is the domestic peace threatened. With what
asperity of feeling the wastefulness of the wife
and the charges of the storekeeper arc denounced
none can tell but those who have listened to them
and the cry that the family is going to ruin is
generally heard throughout the land. Soon,
however, cheerlulness returns debts are paid,
and the wants Of the household are once more
supplied, while the father comforts himself with
the thought that for another twelve month he is
free.
With us the season is one of rejoicing. We
have not the troops of midnight carolers, which
in Europe chant the advent OF Savior to any
one who will give them Drink, but we have, what
is much better, feeling Of hospitality, which
leads us to look after the poor and comfor.less,
and out of the abundance of our stores to send
aid TO the sufferers Would that such charity
were more extensive - that the kind deeds of
the better few were but an index to the char
ties of the many, and that for one day at least
every poor person in the country were made
happy.
Let the effort being made in Nlillersburg to day
for the purpose of securing to the poor plentiful
and merry Christmas be grand success, and the
consciousness OF having made Others happy will
give us that sweet enjoyment on the morrow
which none but the kind and liberal hearted ever
feel.