The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-12-19
THE CHRISTMAS TREE.

ents to children by means of the Christ
mas-tree originated in the Protestant
districts of Germany and the north Of
Europe, where the anniversary of the
birth of Christ was celebrated with all
sorts of sweet observances. For long
time it was customary for Knecht Ru-
pert, q character who still hourishes in
some villages of North Germany, to
bring the Christmas-tree and it's accom-
panying gifts to the dwellings OF the
children. Knecht Rupert, in his attire,
was the very embodiment of winter
fantastic figure enough. He wore a
white robe, high buskins, mask with
venerable white beard and eyebrows,
and an enormous fax wig. Usually he
had two attendants, also masked and
disguised, and helping him to carry the
numerous toys which we're sent to him
by the several parents for distribution.
His visits were made between early can
die light and bedtime, and when he
threw open. the front door of a German
cottage on snowy and frosty night and
entered with the Christmas tree rising
above his shoulders and hung with Ian
terms and ornaments, he was great and
overpowering parsonage indeed. The
children were at first frightened by his
appearance and the wild attire of his
servitors then transported with admi-
ration of the lovely things with which
Knecht Rupert was necklaced, girdled
and overhung then thrown into anxiety
by the questions he put to the parents
n their presence concerning their be-
havior during the year, and at last
moved to Joy or disappointment by the
rewards they received for their good
deeds or their faulty ones.
A picture in one of the German toy
books of the time represents the scene
at the moment when Knecht Rupert ap.
pears on the threshold. White, freez-
ing winter is without; branches of trees
bent by the wind, muffled travellers,
twisted lights in the street lanterns,
dogs with their ears down and their tails
thrust between their legs, and skurrying
snow. Within the cottage there is re-
presented all the warmth and comfort of
village home. The mother holds the
door.latch, the father bows to Knecht
Rupert, who, having satisfied himself
that he has got into the midst of high
ly deserving family, concerning the
worth of whose inmates there is on
question whatever, is bestowing gifts
right and left with captivating gener-
osity. To one boy he has given pair of
skates, which the little fellow is fasten-
ing on Immediately to see how they fit
him; to another he has presented Jack
knife; to another kite; to still another
box of tools. The smallest children,
half dismayed, receive their presents of
playing balls, jumping figures and tiny
carts and wagons with mingled amaze
ment and delight. Tie blooming
daughter of the place holds up to the
lamp with admiration dainty envelope
inclosing q valentine. "Herr Winter
und die kinder" "Mr. Winter and the
children') is the title of the verses
accompanying this picture, and freely
translated they read as follows:
A long, long while Mr.. Winter is standing,
Dressed in white furs, in front of the door.
CHILDREN.
Ho, no good day, Mr. Winter,
This is not very handsome of you
We thought you were far away over the sea,
Til 1T suddenly showed 80 and blew.
Wei, since you are hece, you are welcome
But what have you brought us that's new
WINTER.
Ha, I'll soon let you know what m BRINGING
First, apples and ches.nuts and cake;
The carnival figures, with dancing and singing,
And toys-take great care and don't break
And waim coate and gloves; and, il you are nice.
Some sleds and some skates for some fun on
theice.
Plenty of ice
To skate on 30 nice;
Plenty of snow
And snowballs to throw;
And, in January then,
You can build the snow men!
CHILDREN.
Hurrah hurrah let Winter in !
Welcome, kind Winter, hold up your chin.
So Knecht Rupert went from door to
door, always with the lighted Christmas
tree behind him, always followed with
gay good-byes and laughter.
But by and by in some quarters of
Germany he went out of fashion, lust as
dear old Santa Claus is going out of
fashion now in the United States in some
families who do not believe in letting
children have any such sweet illusions.
Instead OF intrusting the Christmas tree
and the presents to the care of Knecht
Rupert parents began to set up the tree
formally in their own homes on Christ.
mas eve, and spread table in front of
it with gifts for the members of their
own household. The toy makers of
Nuremberg were then in the full blaze
of heir skill and popularity, and used
tn contribute to the pleasures of chill
dren some most ingenious playthings.
Gradually the Christmas tree was in.
troduced throughout Germany, Sweden
and Denmark, then into England, then
partially into France. At length it made
its appearance in the United States,
where many parents adopted it as the
tree of Santa Claus, allowing it to be
understood by the children that Santa
Claus hung the tree with his gifts Oh
Christmas eve, instead of waiting until
they We're asleep and coming down the
chimney to deposit the gifts in Il @
stockings and elsewhere, where they
would find them in the morning. Ger.
man families in America still, for the
most part, preserve the notion in the
minds of children that the tree is deck
ed by Santa Claus, and in these fami-
lies it is Christmas eve and not Christ
mas morning which is the children's
most joyous time of all the wear. The
German picture books give us some
pretty ideas OF the intense interest of
children in the bourgeoning of the
Christmas-tree. A colored picture
represents the anxious little ones-in-
Guiding the Oldest sister with the baby
in her arms-waiting and listening out
side the door. The flaps of the picture
then open and reveal on the reverse
side table crowded with presents and
overshadowed by the Christmas tree,
with father and mother standino (tha