The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-26
CHRIsrMAs AMoNG THE GERMANS.

ways not only In this country, but In England and
Germany; also in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Holland,
Belgium, and in parts OF Russia Poland and Hungary
Many seem to think that this festival Is altogether OF
Christian origin; but this Is The festival Is of
heather origin and has been adopted aud transformed
INTO a Christian festival by the Church. Our heather
ancestors had, like OF the old nations, natural
religion and has been shown OF late that the ancient
Germans had with the ancient Hindoos, the Persians
the Greeks and Romans not only the orgn but the
customs and the religion and language Their
gods the Of tho universe but spranr
IRON mysterious being-"Alvatcr" the Father OF
ALI In German, "Bran' In Sangcrit, 's0m" in
Persian, and suranus in ancient Greece The highest
OF gods Of the ancient Germans WOODEN (wuotaD,
Odn, SCI and his goddess was named Fro.a Gro,
Frgga Sc.). In honor Of these gods they celebrated
during twelve days add nights the heather Yuicfcst.
which occasion Of great JOY o- The worshppcrs Of
Wooden, but for their ene,nies and also Tor the
nnciean and lazy.
The Christian Christmas which s 20 IN.
birthday OF Christ was hrst celebrated in the fourth
century, and the heather Yucfest Transformed into
the Christian CHRISTINE Wooden subsiituted for
Christmas Bcrehta Tor greia) was substituted fos
she Holy Virgin, aud Kncchf Ruprccht made SAINTS
Claus The costumes IN vogue among th- heather Ger
Nv tho Christans and all costumes
which In vogue Christmas at The p,esrni dst are
OF heather origin.
TAR 0ERNANiC cELss.,TIo>.
Most extensive Ireprnc ions had becu n,s'is by
Teuonic fellow rtizrns Cor the celebration OF Christmas
owe, which y generally observed With gres, sc."
In every housetold by the illumination OF the
Christmas aud the distribution of holiday gifts; and
this portion of fhe celebration always occasion OF
great happiness, and reunion Of The friends
aud relatives of families But Chrftmas eve spoiled
in consequences OF the incleency OF the weather sun
day and the preparations many instances had been IN
vain. The musical reunions bad 10 b. dispensed with
inasmuch ~ "a. eve iel on sunday Yet in many
household the festival was celebrated ~ best 4 could be
the circumstances and private and quiet man
The public places ~ amusement were OF course
not frequented Yesterday the weather was favorable
aud the day therefore observed among the Germans in
this city a. general holiday and becoming
In st. Matthews German Lutheran church IN Walker
street, and In all other German churches tho usual
Christmas held and although the Germans
in this city the majority III them, not much OF
church going people all these places were wen attended
holidays None the less were all public places OF anuse
ment irequcn,edepeciay the theatre, where tso per
fornances were given during the day.
Az the Atlantic Garden grand concert gwen in
the afternoon by orchestra IT twenty musicians
and quite nch programme WI prcse me-, Ia .ne
THE ARIoSs.
The Arion Vocal Society prominent musical associn
tion which comprises many members OF acknowledged
vocal and musical talent had Christmas celebration ar
ranged last night at the Germania Assembly Rooms
which, like all the festivities arranged by the Arop MAS
quite conspicuous AFFAIR Though its members DO not
neglect the cultivation of nusic and song this society is
more humortsic organization than anything else and
the celebration nikht usual
acter In the nrst place distribution Of holiday gifts
took place, which drawn by lo'. The
gifts we're contributed by the members Of the
society, about three hundred aud &ty in mum
Der. Besides these number OF valuable gifts
had been contributed by private persons, which were
distributed, and presentation 10 the leader OF the
chorus, Mr. Hartmann, took place. Amer the dsfribu
ton OF these prizes gifts banquet took place where
full orchestra 10 attendance discussing at inter-
walls favorte national airs The banquet ball deco
rated with dro and buresque hgures aud with variety
OF Hags and bannerf In the OF the ballroom where
the git prize distribution took place. stood huge
Christmas tree which lighted when the distribution
began Some -four hundred persons, ladies aud gentle
men, were presen; ~ the banquet, which had been
ranged under the direction Of Me6srs Fag, Rucckeh
and Hundt- During the evening blresque perform
ancc took place. hunoris,c addresses delivered
by several members and huno,iste song
sung The Arion Chrissmas The whole wasqu;e
drcl affair.
THE LiEDERERAkz.
The members oil the LiedPrkran, Society assembled ~
LIederkranz RAIL- in Fourth street, night whore
musical entertainment had been arranged, under the
direction Of ur paur Some Of tho members Of The
society performed among others two popular chorus
songs Of Abt and Schmidt, two piano folos, solo
On the nuto and two soprano sc,cs The muf