The Lake County star., 1874-12-24
Christmas Customs.

Inc observance OF christmas dates
from the first century; Pope Telesphorus,
who died A. ID. 1873, having instituted it.
For three centuries, however, there was
wide difference of opinion as to the day
upon which Christ was born. Christmas
was commemorated by some in April, by
others in May, and by still Others in
other months. As a festive day, it was
likewise confounded with the Epiphany.
Finally, in the fourth century, at the
earnest solicitation of Pope julius l., a
thorough investigation was undertaken,
and the theologians of both the East and
the West agreed that our Savior came
into the world on the 25th of December.
| This decision, which was then and has
since been regarded as final, was based
mainly upon the tables of the censors
preserved in the archives of Rome. Tradi-
tion furthermore fixed the hour of birth
at midnight. Hence the custom in
Roman Catholic countries, early insti-
tuted, of ushering in Christmas day by
the celebration Of three masses, one at
midnight, one at day-break, and one in
the morning.
The ancient Celts and Germans cele-
brated the Christmas season with pro-
longed festivities, and believed that
during the twelve nights intervening be.
tween the 25th of December and the 9th
of January, they could trace the personal
movements and interferences on earth of
their great deities, Odin, Berchta, etc.,
Many Of the beliefs and usages ofthe Ger
mans passed over from heathenism to
Christianity.
During the Middle Ages, Christmas
was commemorated by "the gay, fantas-
tic spectacle of dramatic mysteries and
moralities, performed by personages in
grotesque masks and singular costumes"
The scenery, we are told, usually repre-
sented an infant in cradle, surrounded
by the Virgin Mary and st. Joseph, by
bulls, herds, cherubs, Eastern magi, and
manifold ornaments. In Protestant Ger
many and Northern Europe, Christmas is
often designated as the "Children's Fes-
tival, and the Christmas-tree is erected
in every home, rich and poor.
In many German villages presents are
deposited with some one person clothed
in high buskins, white robe, and an
enormous fax wig, who goes from house
to house distributing the presents. In
Sweden, the superstition formerly
prevailed that at Chritmas time the
dwellers in the most northernmost parts
were metamorphosed into wolves, and
that huge multitudes of them met at an
appointed point, and engaged for many
hours in mortal combat.
The common custom of decking the
houses and churches at Christmas with
evergreens, is derived from ancient Druid
practices. 1t was an old belief that syl-
van spirits might flock to the evergreens,
and remain unnipped by frost till mild
er season. The holly, ivy, rosemary,
bays, laurel, and mistletoe, furnished the
favorite trimmings, which were not re-
moved until Candlemas; chaplets of these
were also worn about the head, practice
to which the phrase to "kiss under the
roses" to "whisper under the mistletoe,"
are allusions. Mistletoe was also hung
up in wreaths or garlands on lamp fix
lures, or festooned on the wall, and if a
girl was caught beneath it, she might he
kissed without blame by any gentleman
of the party. In old church calendars
Christmas eve is marked, "Templa exor-
nantur "-adorn the temples. Holly and
ivy still remain in England the most es-
teemed Christmas evergreen, though at
the two universities the windows of the
college chapels are decked with laurel.
Christmas carols date back to the sec.
ond century. Many large volumes OF
these carols have been published from
time to time. The oldest printed. col.
lection of English Christmas carols
bears the date of 1921. The majority oi
these, though written by men of learn.
ing, exhibit lamentable ignorance OF
the character of two of the most prom.
inent persons in the carols-Mary and
Jesus.
In 1862 Christmas carols of a more
solemn character were introduced into
England. After the Restoration, carols
were revived, and became, if possible, oi
amore jovial character than ever. Those
with which the dawn of Christmas is now
announced in England, are generally re-
ligious, though not universally so. The
Christmas carols of France, in which
Count and peasant united, were formerly
grossly bacchanalian. They have since,
| however, taken on somewhat of a sacred
character.
The custom of making presents on
Christmas eve is derived from an old
heather usage practiced at the feast OF
the birth of Aol, or in Germany on the
occasion of some feast peculiar to that
country. In some German churches SER
mons are delivered on Christmas eve for
the benefit of children who attend, each
carrying little taper. In the Catholic
Church the Officium Pastorum is sung,
in which chorus of children respond to
the priest.
The Christmas box is an English insti-
tuition. 1t consists of small money gift
to persons in subordinate conditions, on
the day following Christmas, which has
consequently been known as Boxing
day." During the early part of this cen
tury the practice of giving these boxes
became so onerous and unbearable that
tradesmen placed placards in their win
dows announcing that no more would be
given.
The public authorities likewise issued
remonstrances against the custom. In
1886, the Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs went so tar as to issue circular
to the different embassies, requesting the
discontinuance of the customary presents
to the messengers of the Foreign Depart
ment and other Government servants.
In England, Christmas has always
been at once religious, domestic, and
merry-making festival" Formerly, the
revels continued through The month of
January, every day being a holiday until
January 9Th. The larder was filled with
capons, hens, turkeys, puddings, nuts,
ETC., and the lords entertained their ten
ants in the most gorgeous manner. The
yule-log in the fireplace was kept burn
ing until Candlemas eve, February I'd.
The favorite dish on Christmas-day was
soused boars ear, borne to the principal
table with great state and solemnity,
"upon a silver platter, with minstral-
sye."
In the Protestant portions of Germany
and the north of Europe, Christmas is
called the "children's festival" and
Christmas eve is devoted to giving pres
ents, especially between parents and