The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-12-20
For the TRUE NoRTHERNER.
Christmas.

Christmas is at hand. And now
commences the holiday season, to con
tiuue until the christening of the New
Year, when cares and tolls will be re.
newed.
A few centuries ago our English an-
cestors, the all.enduring Saxon, and the
bold, adventurous Norman, continued
their round of festivities from Christmas
to Caudle.mass (Feb. - devoting the
whole time to gaity. But the time OF
the present generation is so precious
that only two whole days are given up
to holiday purposes, and those often
grudgingiy. One reason Of this is, that
10 intelligent and free men, labor is not
drudgery but pleasure.
Christmas, or Christ and Mass Is, a.
everybody knows, the anniversary OF the
birth OF Jesus That he was actually
born on the 25th day of December is,
however, by no means certain. Not only
is the doy after his birth shrouded In
mystery, but ever the year is not def
nitely known.
Chronological authority has not been
able to determine, with any degree OF
certainty, either point but it is of no
real consequence to know just when the
Son of God became the Son of Man.
The vital questions are quite independ
ant Of times and seasons.
Christmas has always, from the ear.
Hest ecclesiastical period, observed the
supposed anniversary Of the natal day
Of Jesus as day Of religious gladness,
and it easily becomes apparent that uni
formlty would be desirable.
Accordingly, Pope Julian |, at the
instigation Of St. Cyril, convened coun.
ell 10 investigate the ancient records
and ascertain if possible, the yeritablc
birthday Of Christ
This Synod reported in favor of the
18th day of December, whereupon his
Holiness ordained and decreed that
Christmas should ever after be observed
on that day.
The method Of observing Christmas
mad varied widely at different periods
in the history of Christendom, yet not
essentially. 1t has always been OBJ
served as "A day of mingled piety ana
nerriment, especially the latter, In
Catholic countries Christmas has always
been ushcred in by the celebration Of
Mas, at midnight, az ear y dawn and at
sunrise The Christmas Carol, Joined
IN by priest and people, is in commem-
Grafton OF The Song of the Angels at
the Aununciation. The magnificent
illumlnatlOnS are commemorative Of the
halo which surrounded the angelic host
at that time, and terrified the simple
Shepherds. The Protestauts have, for
the most part, discarded the symbolism
of Papal Christmas but they have en-
dcayorod to pcrpetuate the Spirit
winch prompted the observance of the
day Our Puritan Fathers, however,
conceived Il holy horror OF Christmas,
a. Of all other holidays, and made q
special point Of paying no attention to
1t whatever. They were superstitiously
afraid Of superstition. Gradually toe
Purtaus toned their prejudice until
their descendants Of the present genera.
ton are quite commercially obscryant
Of the day. No real objection can be
urged TO the rcligio.domestic observance
or festivities of Christmas.
10 those who entertain the general
opinion Of the mission of Jesus, it should
certainly be day to rejoice aud make
merry with ones friends, for what
greater occasion for gladness could posi-.
BY be afforded Those who stand aloof
from the Christians Rock OF Faith
cannot but see in the anniversaries of
the 18th of December a Luman,zing
and everlasting tendency.
With all due Difference, then. to the
wisdom and goodness of our Puritan
ancestors, we would congratulate the
present generation upon progressing il
this respect in the right direction.
The Santa Claus and Christmas
Tree part Of Christmas found It's high.
est development, and probably rs origin,
among the Germans and Morse men,
The practice of decking private resi-.
denccs, and especially churches and
chapois with eyergrcons is peculiarly an
English custom. It Is pleasant 20 re.
member that the Observance Of Christ
mas III the customary manner, Is a
golden chain binding all Christendom,
past and present, in one.
Eucircling the ages aud the globe,
Christmas well deserves to be sacredly
kept as the gladdest day Of all the year.
G.. HARTLEY.