Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1870-12-29
CHRIST'S BIRTHDAY.

tan hlSt0ry,-aS early as tne secohu VI
third century-the birth Of Christ seems
to have been especially commemorated
by Christian churches. They differed,
however, as to the time OF this com
memoration; some celebrating the
event in January, others in April, 9th
ers still in May. and others in Decem
Der. In the Eastern division of the
church, the festival of Christ's baptism
seems to have taken precedence OF the
festival of his navity and after the
latter had been introduced into that
Church, the two festivals seem to have
been for while united, and celebrated
at the same time. The feast ofthe nav,
ity appears to have been first observed
by the Western, or Romish division OF
the church and that Of the baptism by
the Eastern, or Greek Church. But
sometime about A. d. 376, the two
great divisions of the Christian Church
came to an agreement, to observe the
navity of Christ as one of their great
festivals, and to observe it on the 25th
of December. This decision as to time
! would make the Christian festival syn
chronize with the great Pagan testi-
val of Sol, the Sun. Whether or not
the idea of supplanting that heathenish
and riotous festival may have influenced
the Christian fathers in selecting the
last of December for the feast of the
navity, it is quite certain that many Of
the rites, observances and peculiarities
of the Pagan festival were introduced
into the Christian festival, or found a
place there. At the feast Of Sol, the
Roman civil officers entered their duties,
and all business changes were made
and it became thus season for visiting
friends, offering congratulations, and
making presents. This was the start
ing point for a new year and a new life
The sun had now passed its greatest
southern declension, and was beginning
to rise and it was thus naturally q
season when cheerfullness and hopeful
ness should prevail This was the lead
ing idea in the feast of the sun. The
early Christians laid hold of this, saying
if men should celebrate with joyfulness
such period of the year, how much
more should Christian men hail the ris
ing OF the "Sun of Righteousness,
bringing all good things to men!
The old Romans made saturnalia
of their feast of the sun; unbounded Ii
cence was allowed, even to their slaves
So the Christian festival was celebrated
with frolc and fun, eating and drinking
games, specticles masquading; indeed
the December liberties" once included
the liberty to burlesque everybody and
everything.
Among the rougher and heathenisf
observances, the Church Ysought to in,
troduce as much as possible
of Christian rites and ceremonies anc
observauces. At Midnight the bells
of the churches were rung, and a mass
was celebrated (hence Christ mass)-
and at early dawn another mass was
celebrated, and still another in the morn
ing These night masses were suggest
ed by the belief that Christ was born il
the night The carols, which were
sung between the masses-which II
early days were accompanied with mu
sical instruments and dancing-wer'
suggested by the songs Of the angels
heard by the shepherds on the plains o
Bethlehem. The custom of dressing
churches and houses with evergreens a
this season was probably derived from
the old Druid practice. The Chrisma
trees lighted with tapers and hung wit
gifts, are of German origin, wher
Christmas was called the children's fes
tival Thus Christmas has come dow
to us a composite institution of Christ
ian worship, social enjoyments, am
heathenish practice. We commemor
ate the birthdays of distinguished men
and of personal friends; and we carr
gifts to these friends, in token of ou
remembrance of them. How suitable
, then, that the memory of the creates
, and best of beings should be commen
Grated And, as we can bring no NOR
acceptable gift to him than humble
grateful, loving and joyful hearts, til
, poorest of us may thus do him hone
on Christmas Day. '