River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-12-26
Christmas Gems.

Inc hrst song ever composed in
England was a Christmas carol in
Anglo-Norman French.
The first tragedy in the language,
and one of the oldest comedies, were
both brought out as a part of the
Christmas festivities of the period.
Christmas is each year more gener-
ally observed in New England, where
it was once prescribed by law, and be-
fore another generation it is probable
that most of the religious denomina-
lions there will observe the anniversary
by public religious exercises.
The beautiful spirit of beneficence
has endeared Christmas Day to the
poor and young. What joyous time
it brings to the heart of childhood {!
And how pleasant it must be to truly
generous nature to participate in the
usual felicities of the holiday season,
and to observe the exultation of the
young at the tokens of affection they
receive
There is very curious custom OBJ
served by the Greek Church through
out Russia. 1t is the baptism at
Christmas of the patron saint. Each
village and each city has its particular
patron. In the larger towns the cere-
mony is performed by the Bishop. A
cross is cut in the ice, and the patron
saint, represented by carved wooden
efigy, Is baptized.
4 Christmas should be consecrated to
high and holy uses, and the day made
subservient not only to present enjoy
ment, but to happy reflections in the
future The memory of such a season
should always sparkle and brighten
with the joyous, the generous, the
benifcent and the good-so that it will
be, indeed, Merry Christmas.
The Christian nations of the world
honor the anniversary of the Saviour's
birth with solemn worship and with
social JOY with the impressive pomp
of religious ceremonials; with poetry,
music, eloquence, and spiritual COM
munion. In this beautiful festival
the grandest and the gladdest of the
sons OF men, they celebrate the spirit
ual regeneration OF mankind.
/ Even IN rude times Christmas has
had the power to mitigate the feroci.
/ ties of war. To the siege of Orleans,
in 1923, the English historian says the
solemnitles and festivities of Christ
mas gave a short interval of repose.
The English lords requested of the
French commanders that they might
have q night of minstrelsy with trum-
pets and clarions This was granted,
and the horrors of war we're suspended
by melodies which were thought to be
delightful.
Let Christmas be consecrated 10 the
communion of religious worship and
social festiyity; to worship solemn,
not gloomy, but of hearts full of graft.
tude aud love; to social iestivity,
as becoming the day let friends be
remembered, and the poor feel that
they are included i'm our sympathies;
in every heart let there be peace and
love; and over all the bright blue
heaven of hope, radiant with the gold
en- sunshine of happiness
One of the prettiest Of Christmas
customs is the Norwegian practice Of
giving on Christmas day dinner 90 the
birds. On Christmas morning every
cable. gateway or barn door is deco.
rated with u sheaf OF corn fixed on the
top OF tall pole, wherefrom it is in
tended the birds shall make their
Christmas dinner Even the peasants
will contriye TO have handful for this
purpose. aud what the birds do not eat
on Christmas day remains for them to
finish ut their leisure throug,' tho win
ter.
OF all times in The year O. rs.-
mas-tide is that at which hearts and
purse strings should open widest in
thoughts and deeds Of charity. Those
should give who never gave before,
and those who are charitable should at
this season give the more. Some OF
oar overflow of happiness should not
fail TO reach the poor and miserable,
whom Santa Claus, an aristocratlc tel
low, is otherwise apt 10 slight. {" TO
give is more blessed than 10 receive, 80
especially when with SO little SO much
happiness may be brought about The
most of those best able b. give, who
are apt TO be personally acquainted
with the misery Of our city and tue
proper ways for les relief, will do well
TO distribute their bounty through the
regularly organized channels which
,..,.k all alauaaa