The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-12-25
A HAPPY CnRIsTMAs,
The Little 0nCs-HOw CNr,s,,.. :,
Celebrated ia Different Countr,os

Celebrated ia Different Countr,os
"Christmas gift! A merry Christina, 20
you" How often will these words and tb,..
aiken TO them, he reitered this Cbri.p,s,
morning by both old aud youngt the ciylz,s
world over. Happy Christmas times, the
ohiet of Chrittnas holidays, when all throw
aside the cares Of life to celebrate The memo.
rabie morn of the birth Of our Savior,
How many little stockings have beer etontiea
this mornlng? The mysterious KuS KroCla
has passed through in his slsipb. drawn b',
reindeers, and freighted with TOYS ond III
serts OIL NICE thirss, and has not failed 10
Visit every caImhey leading to the little ones
rooms. just imagine for an instant tho n.
tie, rosy, laughing, happy faces that viii
peep lAto their stockings lhia morning md
with what eager d.lisht they will EMMY
them, AMID shouts Of glee, as each trsa,.
ure ID revealed to their Innocent
sight. The older folks will have
Their dlnings, make presents and
atten parties balls, etc, but Christmas vps
never made for grown people; it "a The chill
dren's day and outside of tn, ioymsot ~
the little oues the holiday is p.esty much h
farce. Yet, alter all, thers is soms pleasure
III the family circle, on which occssone thor,
are family reunions which. in momsnt If
Joy, perhaps. wins US back to the deusons
OF our childish days, from which the sweet
veil OF fancy has been torn asido.
The origln Of Christmas, and the msnnor
Of It's celebration in different countries NAV
be of interest TO the reader.
The 25th of December is the day on which
the sun Is near the most southern point in u,
apparent annual journey, end for 50 long Ms
we have historical! record, 1t has been cele
brated by ceremonies and rejoicings.
The Hindous on this DAY decorate their
homcs Al h garlands Of flowers and papers of
gold and tiusel, and the custom of making
presents to relatives and friends is universally
observed.
The Egpiens recognized it By their festi-
val in honor Of the birth ef their god. Horus.
In China It is . general holiday, the sboo,
ace shut and the courts closed. No tourney
would under any circumstances DO com.
monced on this day.
The Paraisns kept it as the birthday of
Mlthtss, the mediator, spirit Of tho sun,
with ceremonies Of uncommon splendor.
he old Romans held high festival in honor
OF Bacchus, rejoicing with him that the sun
was about to return and revivify the vine.
yards. They designated the day the birthday
Of the inviucible sun.
There is no record TINT tho birthday of
Jesus he Christ, was observed till the second |
century. Az the suggestion of Pope Toes
phorus some Of the eastern churches recog-
nized the 9th Of Janusry VS. the day, while !
those OF the west added it to other Cslebra.
tons in the list week in December
La tue fourth century Pope Julius made
ali order assembling the chief theologians of |
the tins for the purpose Of examining all |
evidence bearing upOs tho date Of the birth |
of Jesus, that they should, if possible, FIX the
day, in ordeS thss It's observance might be
universal. After due deliboratou they deci-
ded that it was on December the 25th. This
decision WAS, at the time, believed by many
Of the fathers in the church to DO erroGoous
and they went 50 far as 10 assert that the
examiners had been biased in their decision
BY the desire to pl9lsS the public, 10 whom
this day had already become to DO noted
one. Popular leoiug, however, sustained
S"s Eounon III 1'ol' u'O,'lon' uulou WINS
hnaiiy universally accepted ana commemorA-
TED, although 1t y now generally believed 10
be wrong. On the puoIlesuon OF IN? decla-
ION the roman cnurch deefeau ana ihs'ilu,
ted SPECIAL prayers 10 priests, 70 Dc SUI.
on tnat gay, whlch are KNOWN - OhrtI
masses ,,c IN
BuE we had 2holher deTiVsuoa Tor the
nsmS. me oid osAons hsu a, were era, Aes9a,
by Which they Gesigh"eu al aSys Iresa
1ISm labor whelaer holidaYs or ie'' 9ay''
Tho holidays kept in Reconnaissance Oh inc
birth OF OAris'' were Ohr,s, m"1sfs'
The spread OF the Christian ~ Ea!iglon car
RED with Il toe Observance OF Onf's'naa as
religious ies!iVaI whleh OecSme ContecIeu
with other "6ser7anGsS varying WIN INC Gus
toms and habits OF different nauons'
With the Germans, O3rs'mas Is es'eemea
the "ChlIdren'a Festival ana WIN mem men
originated me woFld-laE,9us myta Oh o.
Nicholas eIas oahtS S Ti al''s ga mrs hs
" FipUlp tnn pgtrOu OF lule-tide auQ Tue !
friend of all proper boys and prettily behaved