The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-12-24


decorated and the altar Of the vi z n
was brilliantly lighted. At the rigut
hand side generally was erected a mini
allure stable, and here, wrapped in
swaddling clothes and laid in q man
GER was a little figure Of The child
jesus.
CHRISTMAS N lT2LY.
The old chronicles tell of how the
Christmas times were welcomed 10
Catholic countries. Without partaking
Of the boisterous merriment and carous-
ais which distinguished its celebration
in England, we are tod that the simple
peasants came from their cottages dress
ed in their best, and paid their devo-
tons to the shrine of the Virgin Mary.
These rude statutes were set up in many
places on the public thoroughiares, in
The mountain passes, on the fertile
plains and on the hill sides, and hither
the peasants bent their course 10 pay
their respects. 1t is said that during
| the last days preceding Christmas, even
up TO the present time, lit is still the
custom for CollaLrian Ministries TO de-
scend from the mountains TO Naples
aud Rome, salutihg the shrines Of the
/ Virgin mother with their wild music,
under the poetical notion OF cheering
/ her until the birthtime OF her infant At
the approaching Christmas.
~ GERMAN.
the festival was more OF a domestic
merry-making time than that of relig-
ious feast. In many Of the Protestant
districts of Germany, and indeed we
may say some parts Of the north OF Eu
rope, the festival of Christmas was
/ known IS "Children's Day" The prac-
tice of dressing Christmas trees is truly
German custom, and, indeed, like
many other practices OF the social Cd
| FadeIlanders, it has taken strong root
in this country. Santa Claus also
comes to Us from good Old Teutonic
stock. In North Germany it was for
mcrlv, and even now in some districts,
the custom to engage some person to
undertake the role OF the giit-bestowing
Santa Claus. This person was clad in
! high boots, heavy robe, long, flowing
hair and beard; and thus made up, he
called from home TO home, making
presents TO the little ones, who regarded
I him as a real parsonage. His appear
anCe inspired them with awe, not tear;
for he was good Old fellow, who re.
garded good little children ard forgot
their faults.
OTHEE NATIONS.
The Swiss, the Swedes, the French
have all their peculiar manners Of cele.
brating this annual feast day. The
Welsh also commemorate the festival
in their own peculiar style. The Gus
toms, ceremonies, rejoiciuCs and
and deyotions have each afforded
themes for the pens Of poets, and the
literature of nearly every European ma
ton has some beautiful carol common
alive Of the birth Of the Son Of God
CHRISTMAS AT HOME.
After recording how Christmas mas
Lccn observed in early days in the couu-
try, let Us now refer 10 the subject here
in our own happy land. No particular
manner CharscIeri2eS our way OF Cele
hratirg Christmas. We borrow from
nearly all; but most noticeable ID the
good old German custom Of dressing
the Christmas tree and making the
hearts OF little children happy with
Christmas gifts. Not alone to children,
however, is tie practice OF making PIE
SCENTS confined, unless, indeed, we regard
all the human race as children. Gifts
are freely exchanged between those OF
maturer years. From the English we
borrow the custom Of decorating our
houses with eyergreenS, Il practice in
crossing Of late years. And from all
10 We inherit the disposition to make
the poor happy on Christmas Day.
They are made to share the general JOY.
Cur public institutions spread a Loun-
teous repast Tor those within their walls
And with no niggard ha d is the feast
bestowed but with willingness and LID.
eral bounty.
CHRISTMAS EVE
This .- Christmas Eve. All Is ba~tlc
and stir throughout the city to-day.
The shops and markets and leading
thorougharcs are stocked with goods for
he and purchasers to bay them. Chill.
drcn's toys are EVERYWHERE to be seen.
How many an innocent little on will lay
dawn in It's bed tonight to dream Of the
FOOD things tomorrow has in store for
them. How many will lisp the follow
ing simple jittlc verse;
God bless iader, God bless m0der,
God bless SiStcT''-thcu Il pause:
Then The sweet young lips deVOU'lS
MuTmur, "God bless Santa ClauS"
And Santa Claus viii come, for both
father and mother have seen him.
Their little stockings will be filled and
their little hearts be made glad. Christ,
mas j. in reality the Children Day.
CHRISTMAS TREEs.--A few choice