Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-12-25
CHRSSTMAS.


gift-laden Christmas trees, and Ell high the
bowl with Samian wine," and enjoy their
roast turkey, and merry greetings before
the sparkling fire, without knowing the
history Of the festive day. For those who
joyously say "a merry Christmas" or
Christmas eff " this morning, we propose
furnishing some account of the origin Of
the day, and its manner of celebration 10y
different countries, and at different epochs.
From the best authorities Christmas is
derived from the words Christ and Mass.
Christian festival observed on the 25th day
Of December As the anniversary of the
birth Of Christ. IL was originated accord
ing TO the traditional letters by Pope Teles-
phorus, seventy-fye years after the birth of
the Saviour, when the star in the east
twinkled glad tidings over the plains Of
Judea. Through long years it was reoog-
nized by the churches with great snlemnity /;
it was COMPOUNDED fer a time with the
Epiphany, and was celebrated in the
spring months. st. Cyril of jerusalem,
in the beginning Of the fourth century,
aided by the holy fathers and Pope Julius,
searched the traditional archaeology Of the
times and fixed enatal day of Christ on the
25th of December. The data for so fixing
il were obtained from the Roman archives.
From that time on, without inquiry as to
the proof the day has been accepted and
40 celebrated. In the sixth century the
Roman Catholic Church commenced In
custom of ushering in Christmas day with 9
three masses, one at midnight, one at dawn,
and the other in the norning-the mid
night mass being proclaimed with the
ringing and Ginning of bells, and the
offerings of holy incense.
In the medieval ages it was celebrated
with fantastic gaieties, mysteries, grotesque
masks costumes; representations of the Vir.
gin Mary and Joseph, surrounded the Ce-
lestial Infant with bulls heads and curl
ously wrought ornaments. After the Latin
language became no longer the living YER
nacular Of the people, canticles we're sung
on Christmas, and were called carols"
The bishops, the clergy, and the people,
joined in singing these songs, as recalling
the songs of the good shepherds Of Bethle-
hem, while yiolins, tambours and guitars,
add dancing, enlivened the festivities. Old
and young mingled in these dances, each
bearing lighted wax taper. These "Christ-
masse Carolles," especially those of the
English and Welsh, afforded infinite primi-
tive amusement. Travellers and writer's
on the subject say il is yet the custom for
"Calabrian minstrelsto come down from the
mountains Just before Christmas to Naples
and Rome to salute the shrine of the Vir-
,rtr, A1fhar ILL a
poetic notion of cheering her until the
birth-time Of her infant at the approach
ing Christmas" Music seems to have ever
been feature of the festivity. Raphael,
in his painting Of the Nativity, has traced
a shepherd playing a bag-pipe, with 80
much naturalness, according to the re-
ceived notions Of such scenes, that the
tones of the music almost breathe on the
canvas.
Throughout the European countries,
particularly England, all the bells are
Iung at midnight ushering in Christmas.
In France and Italy the churches are
adorned for solemn mass after which a
feast is prepared. The December Liber-
ties" or "Feast Of Fools" AS il was termed,
prevailed for time--in this feast grotesque
saturnalia prevailed; great men frolicked
and notables were caricatured by buffoons.
By the PrOtestants of Germany, Christs
mas is observed as a "children's festival :"
gifts and presents are given and exchanged.
The Christmas tree is placed in the parlors
laden with ornaments, play-things and
sweetmeats, which glisten in the light of
burning tapers. This is an hour of much
JOY and pleasure, az the parlor Christmas
tree is the child's highest enjoyment Of the
holiday.
In England, az here, Christmas has
always been a religious domestic merry
making festival for every rank and class
The revels used to begin on Christmas eye
and continue for twelve days. Some Lord,
or Noble, or Abbot, was appointed 10 in
vent and carry out the rarest amusements.
On these occasions tables were spread that
groaned under the daintiest and richest
meats, the most excellent of pies and pud-
dings, and sparkled with the rarest wines.
The English, perhaps, know better how to
enjoy the occasion than any other people
Gle has more business than English ovens
at Christmas" is an old proverb applied to
meddlesome busy bodies. Ii is the custom
of that country for The landlords to spread
a beauteous feast for all his tenants, and
the occasion is one of unbounded delight.
All mix freely together in the full enjoy
ment of the festivities.
On Christmas eve the bells we're rung
On Christmas eve the mass was sung;
That only night in all the year
Saw the stoled Priest the Chalice rear.
Then opened wide the Baron's hall
To vassal, tenant, serf and all;
Power laid his rod of rule aside
And ceremony dotted his pride.
The heir with roses in his shoes
That night might village partner choose
All hailed with uncontrolled delight
And general voice the happy night,
That 10 the cottage as TO the crown,
Brought tidings of salvation down.
England was merry England, when
Old Christmas brought his sports again.
Twas Christmas preached the miRhtiest ale
Twas Christmas told the merriest tale
Christmas gambol Oft would cheer
poor man s heart through half the year"
On these occasions great log fires were
made in the old baronial halls, and the old
yule log was set ahlaze before the crack
ing, cheerful light, jokes, riddles, forfeiis,
dances, laughter and genuine fun followed.
The boar's head was brought in state to the
table with minstralsye," and the "waisel
bowls were filled to the brims with costly
old wines
With gHrlands gay and rosemary.
pray you all synge merrily."
1t was a practice Of the ancient Druids
10 decorate their houses and churches at
Christmas with eveTgreens. it being a tradi-
ton smong them that Sylvan spirits
would flock TO them, and they would thus
remain unframed by frost till milder
season. Laurel, mistletoe, rosemary, ivy
and holly we're used in these decorations,
and wreaths Of the same were Worn on the
heads, from which custom the expressions
whispering under the mistletoe" and
kissing under the rose =" are derived
Shakespeare speaks OF an old tradition,
that midnight spirits forsake the earth
and go TO their own confines al the Growing
Of the cock, and that
"--Ever 'gainst that season comes
Wherein our SavioUrs birth is celebrated.
This bird Of dawning singeth all night long
And then they say no spirit stirs abroad;
The nights are wholesome; then no planet strike
No fairy takes, nor witch hath power 10 charm,
So hallowed and so gracious is the time"
There are many pleasing conceptions
and traditions about our merry old Christ
mas: the hawthorn that was said 70 have
budded on the oath and blossomed on the
25th Of every December, in Glastonbury
Abbey, has been sung in verse by the
sweetest Of bards.
Christmas celebrations, among the re-
fined, have lost their boisterous character