The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-12-30
Asnntrat
CUsTO5Ts AND UsAGEs or lTs
CELEBRATION IN VARIOUS
CoUNTKIRs, IN OLDEN
TlMEs AND Ar THE
PRRsENT DAN.
How it was Celebrated, both in
Public and in Private.

How 1t was Celebrated, both In
Public and in Private.
From the Daily Pioneer Of the sSth-
Eighteen hundred and sixty -four years ago,
babe was born into the world, In the Manager
Of a stable In Judea- Though his advent was
thus obscure, yet it had been foretold in proph-
ecy. The Star of Bethlehem shone over his
cradle, and guided by Its light, the wise men
Of the East sought the presence of the won
drous infant, with offerings In their hands
They fell down and wofshipped him as the
Lord Of Lordsand King Of Kings He who
had been sent into this world to die for the
Gins Of our race as its Saviour. Herod sought
his He but In vain The babe grew into man.
hood -commenced bis mission, when prophecy
was- fulfIled. He was seized, cruelty treated
as an impostor, and suffered an ignominious
death. a@' y sscT - "a a5gs 50 4 s
Thus lived and died He whom we cali Jesus
Christ, the Saviour Of the world. Yet no an
niversary has 90 grand . celebration IS that
which commentaries his birth. No day in
the year is more joyful than that observed in
honorof his advent. No mere mortal has ex-
erted an influence 80 tremendous or so benign.
or won homage 80 universal and profound. No
imperial conqueror ever numbered more or
more devoted subjects. The grandest king
doms the sublimest destinies the geatest
names. Of the FIRST men of all ages, are insig-
niHcant to his power and fame. Amid the ig.
norance and barbarism of the planet, his wand
has reared q benefcent civilization, which has
steadily extended its confines of light, and is
now certain to embrace the world. Christen-
dom itself is his monument; yet one infinitely
surpassing It in grandeur, the race redeemed, is
rising to attest his divinity.
However men may speculate, and whatever
views they nay form concerning the slowly
Nazarene," the facts of history remain to
bewilder and confound the unbeliever. Who
of all the profound philosophers and stupen-
dous geniuses that have lived and toiled, or the
astute critics that affect to measure and anal
we the Son Of Mary. have begun to approach
him in power over the human mind, or in his
benevolent use Of such power! In the long
and brilliant roll of greatness at what other
:
p.use, thrilled with common joy. and send up
psaus Of limitless praise from every sea and
shore of the globe?
The glosies Of the past grow pale in the light
Of the future. The race has progressed meal
culabiy, yet is to scale nights scarcely dreamed
of now, when the teachings OF Christ have full
sway in the hearts Of mankind. No hushed
melodies are go sweet as the music to come.
Very far In advance still shines the ideal civil
cation inculcated In Judea more than eightee a
hundred years ago. Possibly, when it shall
have reached that ideal, there may be plausi-
bility in saving that the world ia prepared to
outgrow Christianity assuredly not before
Whatever faith justly conceives mans highest
welfare, and teaches that he shall realize this,
is truth. For 1t Is that best adapted to reclaim
him from his errors. cheer him in his distresses,
encourage him in his struggles, lead him in the
path of wisdom. and refine, elevate and emo
BILE his whole being.
Who can read this sermon on the Mount, and
other teachings. and refuse to acknowledge
that guided by them, our race must grow hap
py and noble? Even leaving out of sight the
Faith that bids us hope for happiness eternal in
another life, bis doctrines all look to the eleva-
ton and purity of our race in this life. All
the virtues and ennobling sentiments of hu-
manity and perfection of conduct, are in
culcated. They who practice them are called
blessed. Mans duty to his fellow man Is SO
plainly pointed out, that even If with this
world life ended, $ Earth now grown old in
sim would be transformed into another Eden,
could those sublime principles have complete
sway. The sword would be broken--love take
the place of selishness and hate. and war be-
come impossible. Such, even in its temporal
view. was the mission of Him whose birth we
celebrate to-day.
Christmas was established as Holiday by
Pope Telesphorus. who died about the year
138, 60 It's celebration as Church Holiday
dates almost back to the life of the founder of
the Christian Era. During the middle ages
Christmas was celebrated by merriment.
religious services, and tableaux, representing
the infant Jesus in the cradle, &c This GUS
tom prevails to some extent in the Catholic
Churches to this day.1 Songs were sung,
called carols, commemorative of the song of
the Shepherds on the plains Of Judea. Dancing
and instrumental music were also common.
In German countries, Christmas is observed
chisdyas .faqiy festival. The Christmas
Tree originated there. and is still in vogue
The day Is celebrated with great spirit in Ger
many and by that people everywhere. JOY
and merriment prevails.
In England, the day has always been sea-
son Of merrymaking. Gaity and fsastine
always masked Its return, and was sometimes
kept up for days
an hailed with uncontrolled delight
And general voice, the happy night
Thats 70 the cottage ~ theCro1n,
Brought tdings Of salvation down.
EnelSnd ms merry En&!and when
fld 6hIlsim1a br0dghl ~ sports sgain. = X
Twss ChrIafmao br66c helE he mighfiest ale
rTWns ChrlStnw to1d the 'f1eTfiest tale;
AChristmas eannbol olt Mqa!4 cheer
A poor mans heart through half the yea. y 4
The custom ii decorating housas "a
:. ~ y, 11eo&Va1- <tno,n = -.