The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-12-25
CHRISTMAS.

It matters little to most people whether
we have the exact chronology Of this day
or not. Very elaborate attempts have
been made to show that in the nature Of
things the 25th day Of December could
not have been the birthday of the Saviour
Of the world. The TACT that the shep-
herds of Judea were watching their llocks
by night has been adduced by such wri-
tiers as STRAUSS TO show that 1t could rot
have been In bleak winter weather that
they thus kept watch, and therefore that
the day usually observed as Christmas IS
simply holiday, like many others, set
apart TO suit the notions or convenience
Of later ages.
Notwithstanding however all the chro-
biological arguments that have been made
against the day, the fact remains that the
Christian world has agreed TO observe the
25th Of December as the anniversary of
the birth Of Him whose coming was an.
nounced by proclamation OF "peace on
earth and good will among men," In
early times the day was regarded as
movable fesst-that Is 1t was celebrated
sometimes on one day and sometimes on
another; sometimes in December, some.
times in April, and sometimes in May. In
the 4th century oI the Christian era Pope
JULIUS made an order Tor an investigs.
tion concerning the day Of Christs nativ.
ity. The result Of the investigation was
an agreement that this 25th day ofthe last
month OF the year was the anniversary
of Christ's birth day. And although
there was much dissent at the time from
the decision, as there has been ever since,
still the day has been universally accepted
as the day Of the Nativity. 1t has also
been common tradition that Christ was
born about midnight. The custom
therefore obtains in Roman Catholic
countries of usherlng In Christmas with
three masses, one at midnight, one at
early dawn, and one later in the morning.
The day Is considered by the Catholic
Church in the double light of holy
commemoration and cheerful festival,
and is accordingly distinguished by de-
votion, by vacation from business, and
by merriment. During the middle ages
It was celebrated by the gay, fantastic
spectacle Of mysteries and moralities,
performed by personsges In grotesque
masks and singular costumes. The Gus
tom Of singing canticles at Christmas,
called carols, which recalled the songs Of
the shepherds at the birth Of Christ, dates
from the time that the common people
ceased to understand Latin. The bish-
ops and lower clergy often Joined with
the populace in carolling, and the songs
were enlivened by dances and by music
Of trombones, guitars, violins and organs.
Itis still the custom IL Italy for minstrels
u descend from the mountains to Naples
and Rome and salute the shrines Of the
Virgin Mother with their wild music,
under the poetlcal notion Of cheering her
until the birth time Of her infant.
And in England the bells are rung
at dead midnight, and after the
solemn celebration of tho mass, for which
the Churches in that country and on the
Ointment Of Europe are magniacently
adorned. Among the revels OF Christ
mas is a grotesque saturnalia called
December liberties" in which everything
serious is burlesqued. In the Protestant
4 %E'tricts of Germany and the north ot
lrope, Christmas is called the "Chil-
ms festival" and the preceding eve is
Foted to giving presents by means Of
socGlled Christmas tree, A large