Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-12-23
CHRISTMAS DAY.


The annual return of this. now aim jst univer-
sally observed festival awakens sentiments and
reviyes customs as varied as are the tastes, cond-
tions and habits of mankind. The everyday peo-
pie, and they are the most numerous, who find
this a work-day world regard as a day for gen
eral merriment, rest from labor, and relaxation,
giving but little thought to its meaning beyond
this. Childrenonly view it as important, bec;rese
they are allowed more license in their Babel OF
amusements, and because it is the annual return
of the time for hanging up their little stockings,
to receive the gifts of the good old Santa Claus,
the friend of all good children and the implacable
enemy of bad boys and girls But to the thinker,
Christmas has a nober meaning than this--mark-
ing, as it does, the birthday of higher ciyiliza
ton for the human race, humsnizing humanity ;
md commemorpting the commencement Of that
grand reformation in the worlds morals, which
may in the end lead to universal peace on earth
and good will towardsall mankind, for which all
good men devoutly pray.
Like many of the festivals instituted by the ear
IL Christians, the institution of Christmas is sur
rounded by obscurity. The popular idea is that
it marked the birth of our Saviour, the most sub
lime and important event that ever has occurred
in the worlds history. 1t was in the early days
celebrated as o movable feast, and sometimes it
occurred in April and sometimes in May. After
considerable search and investigation, the theolo-
gians came to the conclusion, from data satisiae-
tory to themselves, that our Saviour was born on
the 25th day ofDecember, and decreed that thence
forth that day should be observed and commence
rated us the natal day of the Redeemer of sinful
world.
There were many traditionary notions preva-
lent in the early history of the church, among
which was the one that Christ was born at mid
night, and in commemoration of this, the Catho-
lie church continue to celebrate mass at that hour.
A second is also celebrated at dawn, and third
in the morning This custom dates back as far
as the sixth century. Ira iiton has also brought
down with this idea, many others, which pre-
vailed among the superstitious of the middle ages,
and which still, like ghosts and COLLINS, linger
around old hearth-stones to be repeated by grand
mothers and nurses for the amusement or wonder
of children. The oxen and other domestic ami
mails were supposed 20 he found kneeling in
prayer at midnight, although nobody ever see
them, the growing Of the cock was incessant
throughout its long watches, but nobody ever
heard him, ghosts and COLLINS retired from the
earth, and water turned into wine, having no
fear of Maine law before its aquatic eyes. That
ii was in early days regarded in the two-fold light
of a holy commemoration and q cheerful festival
is evident from the manner of its observance. 1t
was ushered in, by devotion and abstinence and
vacation from business, to be followed later in
4
most grotesoue dramatic performances. These
were called dramatic mysteries and moralties,
and in fact. wee then about the only dramatic
performances known to the Christian world, as
the Grecan and Roman writers had fallen into
disuse among the monks. and the stage was con
yerted into an auxiliary to the splendid religion
of the period. The Christmas mysteries as they
were designated, were performed by persons in
uncouth masks and fantastic dress. under tn,
auspces of the clergy. the scenery generally rep
reseuting the infant Messiah in a cradle. sur
rounded by the Virgin MARY. ,Joseph. oxen >,
heads. wise men of the East. cherubs, gifts and
ornaments of all descriptions. The highest dig
nitaries of the church not unireouentlv took mar,
with the people in these shows. Those were sim
ule minded DAVIS. when there was hut ons creed
one church. and no religious apatby. or stubborn
unbelief or jealousy to divide the people from tn,
clergy. Education and n higher degree of eiyiliz
alton NAV have refined and COMPLICATED the deyo
tional nature of mankind. but il NAV be A oues
ton whether il has added much to its sincerity
In Protestant communities the religions fea.
lures of the old Christmas obseryances have grad
ually faded away. until thew have been abandoned
N, made sacondarr Rnt &c n ,;,,o e. ,,,;co,.,i