The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-12-27
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CHRISTMAS.


The day to which we ascribe this name
has again come and gone, and of the vast
numbers who participated in the annual
season of merriment which it inaugurates,
it is probable that very few have thought
of the event it commentaries, or of the
incongruous manner in which it is OBJ
served. Christmas had its origin as a
Church festival, to commemorate the ma
tivity. of our Saviour, and was not estab-
lished until after the beginning of the
second century, some attributing it to
Telesphorhs, who fourished in the reign
of Antonius Plus, between the years of
13S-161 after Christ; but first GER
tain traces of the festival are found in the
time of the Roman Emperor Commodus,
who ruled from 1SO to 1872 after Christ.
For many years it was observed at diff
ferent periods of the year by persons ac-
cording to their belief as to the time of
the birth of Christ hence the periods
ranged from April or May, which is gen.
orally believed to be about the time of
the nativity, to December: Latter years,
however, have settled upon the 25th day
of December for the observance of this
festival, although it is almost certain that
Christ was not born in December; and it
may be surprise to many who have not
examined the subject to learn that it was
fixed for this period to accommodate the
prejudices and opinions of the heathen
world. Yet, we are told that this had
much to dowith the selection of the date,
for the nations of the North who exercised
so much influence over all Europe, cele-
brated the Winter solstice which occurs
on the 2lst of December as the great
Ynle Feast, which they claimed was the
period at which the "6ery sun wheel"
began to return and inyigorate the earth
with its warmth:
The Church attempted, by locating
the Christmas festival 30 near the time
of this feast, to absorb and. control the
heathen by the Christian festival, and it
is contended that this attempt was large
ly successful. The establishment of
Christmas as Church feast vas follow
ed by still others, and contributed much
towards having the periods of these fes-
tivals arranged for fixed times.
I. The Roman Catholic Church celebrates
the day by three masses one at mid
night, one at day-break and one in the
morning. The English and Lutheran
Churches also observe the day by
special service, but the other Protestant
Churches and the Baptist Church do not
recognize it as a Church festival. All,
however, in Europe and America recog-
nize it as an occasion of social feasting,
reunion and pleasure. 1t was at first
observed for twelve days, extending to
the evening of the 9th of January, and
this circumstance gave rise to and marks
what we sometimes hear called 'The
Twelve Days, though this is more prop
erly attributed to the feast of Yule to
which we have referred. The long
Christmas of the long ago has, however,
very much subsidized, and it is nowhere
observed, we believe, for q longer term
than one week now, and in most commu-
mites the holidays do not last so long.
1t is an important social period, and
whatever views may be entertained of it
as a Church festival, there is no differ
ence of opinion as to the fact that it is
beyond "a doubt the most pleasant, and,
if moderation in its enjoyment is oh
served, we may add the most profitable
week in the year. By ceasing from toll
we can enjoy the society of our family
gatherings and the annual meeting of
friends which it insures, thereby promo
ting friendships and contributing to
,opfno1 imnrovement