Middletown transcript., 1876-01-01
Christmas Notes.

The general custom Of decorating th
churches and houses with evergreen j
descended from the Druids. They be
lieved that sylvan spirits would dwell
in the evergreen boughs and garlandl
until spring and protect the house from
evil spirits
The Puritans Of England forbade
the general observance of Christmas,
and even to this day the Middle, West
ern and Southern States indulge in
more unrestrained festivities than the
dwellsrs in Yankeeland.
There are, sometimes. touches Of
sadness hanging around Christmas, as
we'll as those of joy. It is the grand
anniversary of the year, and the re-
membrance Of friends beloved and dear,
who have gone to the better land, come
to us then with renewed sharpness.
Nearly every country has its own
mode Of celebrating Christmas. In
Italy, feasting and singing is the order
of the day, and. as the shades of night
fall upon their lovely towns. numbers
Of musicians go forth to celebrate the
one who has most merited their esteem
and appreciation during the past year.
The FIRST authoritative command to
keep Christmas time holy is attributed
to Clement, q collaborateur with St.
Paul. and mentioned by the latter in
the Epistle to the Philippians. Clement
says: Brethren, keep diligently fast
days, and truly, in the irst-place, the
day Of Christ's birth"
Long before the birth of Christ the
last days Of December were dedicated
to the Feast of the SOL" The Scan
dinavians watched the declining sun
from June to December, and as soon as
the first shadow Of its retrograde course
was noticed. they danced and sung. and
inaugurated week of festivities and a
season of boisterous revelry.
It was an old English superstition
that at midnight on Christmas eve every
living creature of the animal kingdom |
involuntarily bent the knee. and even
at this enlightened day the idea finds
many believers. 1t arose from the
medieval fancy that the OK and the ass
that were stabbed in the manger at the
birth of Christ fell upon their knees be-
fore the Holy Baby in alteration of His
Christmas coming just as winter has
commenced his icy reign. the inner
warmth, and glow, and comfort make
deeper impression OF the soul, moving
it to thankfulness and rejoicing; and
branches and wreaths of evergreen form
. more fitting decoration in honor Of
our Saviour's birth than all the wealth
Of tropical flowers, which blossom emily
10 wither and perish in an hour.
Christmas is the joyful time for re-
union and rest. All business and study
being suspended, the family mansion is
flled with youthful life and freshness
The blooming daughter home from
school, beaming with fun and fancy
The youth forgetting for time the ac-
count book and visions of future wealth
all throwing care aside and consider
ing a Christmas kiss, under the mistle-
Zoe, the highest Of earthly delights.
In Germany, and the Protestant dis
ricts of Europe. Christmas is especially
he children's festival, and poor, in
Iced, is the family, that cannot have a
rec with its load Of ornaments and pre-
'ents on Christmas eve. After each
,ne has had present from the tree,
he father takes aside the sons, and the
mother the daughters, and tells them
Vhat has been observed good, and what
aulty, in their conduct. The first part
# this performance. has been intro
luced pretty generally, into this coun-
ry, and doubtless the latter part might ,
,ring additional profit, if not pleasure,
o the children. >
In all the civilized world there is no
pot so secluded, and, perhaps, no heart {
o dark that the sound Of Christmas :
hines fails to awaken in it sense of ;
oy and exultation. Round and round
be earth rolls the grand sympathetic
Melody, calling on rich and poor alike
0 put aside for day all disputes and :
,alousies, and over and above all trou-
lie and perplexity swells the sublime,
strain: e
Peace and good will, good will and peace,
Peace and good will to all mankind. il
Santa Claus Cor Klaus is the Dutch 9
anne for St. Nicholas who was called Q
be patron saint of boys. He is said to .
ave been bishop Of Myria, and to have :
led about the year 326. One story .
oes that St. Nicholas bestowed mar 81
iage portions upon three destitute 9