The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-12-25

blooming tree with the golden apples %
the Christmas board
It is another Of the fancies which old
people s.ill remember as the tradition Of
their early days that at midnigh, on Christ
mas Eve, the oxen always fall on their
knees; and it was added in our case that
no person who ever attempted to watch
the ceremony returned alive. This tradi.
ton we presume comes from a prevalent
notion Of the middle ages that an OK and
an ass present at the Nativity fell upon
their knees in suppliant posture. The
ancient prints, and an old latin poem of
the fifteenth century commemorate this
belief There is also tradition that in
the churchyard of Glastonbury Abbey was
a famous hawthorn that always budded on
the Gath and bloomej ON the 18th of De-
cember.
In parts of Ireland at night they used
to set sieve of oats as high as they could +,
and place around it twelve lighted candles
with large one also lighted in the centre
-an emblem of Christ and his twelve
Apostles as lights in the world. In Glcu-
cestershire the same is done by building a
large FIRE surrounded by twelve smaller
ones in the fields. In Staffordshire they
build one fire only, an emblem of the
guiding star which conducted the wise
men to Bethlehem.
In Cornwall the "Yule Log" or "Mock, "
as they call it, is lighted by portion saved
from the last year, aud the family gather
ing around, indulge in games and amuse-
ments Of different kinds. What are called
"Goosey Dancers" go about from the vii.
lagos, and make hilarity, while others sing
the festal songs beneath the windows, from
home to home, early on Christmas morn
ing. In Chesline entertainments are pro-
vided for these singing parties in all pri-
ya;e houses; and all, both rich aud poor,
deck their homes for four days with the
sacred holly and attendant misletoe.
Throughout England Christmas has always
been noted religious and merry festival.
In Sweden aud Norway the "Yule Log
plays the mos, important part. A large
log is selected, snd on Christmas eve is
placed in an open fireplace, where it may
burn during the sacred night, and thereby
acquire magic healing power: the Goals
are gathered up aud preserved during the
year, to be worn as a talisman against dis
ease and danger. In these northern lands
there is also custom known as the "Yule
Goat" This is fine cake, baked very
hard, aud bearing the impress of goats
head. During Christmas day it stands on
the table of the reception room, and this,
with many other cakes, are retained until
the coming spring, when man and maid
servant and beast receive each a cake as
they 60 to the fields for the first time, car
rying blessing with them that insures a
bountiful harvest.
Saint Nicholas, or as the Dutch call him,
Santa Claus" is one Of the most popular
saints of Catholic Europe, being invoked
as the patron of sailors, travellers, and cap
tives, aud the guardian of unmarried girls
and children. The earliest legend of his
appearance at Christmas is derived from
the Italians Giraldi, shoemaker of We
roma, was very poor, and could not give his
three pretty daughters the smallest dowry,
and thus, though each had an admirer,
they were left unmarried The father
prayed to his patron Saint, Nicholas, that
be would interfere with a miracle. A
neighbor, rich merchant, one day, over.
hearing his simple petition, ridiculed the
idea that Saint Nicholas would thus inter-
pose for his daughters, and told him that
his saint was Buonajuto, the Jew, who lent
money at two per cent a month. He is
not so deaf as Saint Nicholas" the mer.
chant added "and if you know how to
manage, you can make four per cent"
Tho poor shoemaker, however, maintained
his integrity, and daily prayed. Christ
mas meanwhile came, and the Jew finding
balance Of three hundred ducats on the
yearly account due the merchant, thought
to make him surprise in sending him
fattened and roasted duck, with the three
hundred gold pieces served up in the body.
The merchants wife, however, sharing in
the prevailing prejudices against the Jews,
refused to receive present from one of
the race. The merchant, therefore, sold
the duck to the poor praying shoemaker,
who took it home for Christmas dinner,
and when on opening the fowl with the
carver the gold fell out, his exclamation
was, Praise to St. Nicholas r. and he di.
vided the sum between his two eldest
daughters. The merchant discovering the
result Of the experiment Of serving up gold
in the carcass of duck, brought an action
against Giraldi; but the magistrate, de
vout man, on hearing the case and learn
ing how the poor man had been ridiculed
for his devotion, not only ordered Giraldi
to retain the dueats, but sentenced the
jew and the merchant, for their usurious
dealings, to pay fine of one hundred and
fifty ducats for the dowry Of the poor
shoemaker's youngest daughter
The meaning of this legend is that
benefeent Providence watches over and
takes care Of The poor who are honest.
virtaous and truthful. The tradition runs
that since that time 81. Nicholas pays d
visit every Christmas night to all whom he