The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-12-30
rhrisfr,.as Day

fE.cn t,4r Daily St1tcsDaE = Dec. -.
This Is the anniversary OF the birth "
Clnist, and wherever in the widc, wide
world Christian OF civilized man may
be today bis heart viii be moved s7ith
that common impulse OF JOY. peace and
good viii that the Day has ever invoked.
IL has beeua common tradition that Chriss
was born ab0u. the middle Of the might,
and Roman Catholics usher in he day by
celebrating three masses, one atmidnigbt,
one at early dawn aHa Ihe other carly IN
the morning. It IS IA Old superstition
that on Christmas eve al oxen aud asses
are found Oh their l1uees, as in an attitude
of devotion. This sDperstition originat-
ed from the notion tbat prevailed ia early
times, that an OK and an ass were present
IT the birth OF The Saviour 1pd fell upon
their knees. The custom that our youug
men and boys have Of riding about the
streets masked aud dressed IN whimsical
attirss originated IN the middle ages when
II was the habit 10 celebrate the day BIZ
the gay fantastic spectacle Of dramatic
mysteries and moralities, performed by
yer5cnsges IN grotescue masks and won
derfuily absurd costumes. In 8 few
countries Christmas Is called the "chil- !
arsn'' Il wal" and Christmas eve Is de- (
voted 10 wing presents, especially be- |
tween parents and children and brothers |
aud sisters. by means of the Christmas |
tree. In some villages in Germany, the !
presents are sent certain well known /
person, who. rugged out in hinge white |
robe. mask, and an enormous wig goes |
from house 10 house, calls rihe children /
aud best0ws the Gins upon them accord |
ing 10 the character, which he hears from
the parents. The precise day Of the III |
,iituiion of the Christmas festival is in |
N0lvcd in obscurity. The origin Of Christ |
Inas as a religious feast, is ascribed to the |
decretll letters addressed to Pope Tclcs- !
phorus, who died A. ID. 1873. il was al !,
ilrst The most movable OF Christian fcsti- |
vals, and was conf0unded with the Epi- /
phany aud celebrated hy the eastern +,
churches in the months ofAprlI aud May. |
Under the Foniiicate Of Pope Julius l.. /
33G 352, ST. Cyril Of Jerusalem urged the |
importance Of making Christmas an in.
movable festival, and obtained an order |
from the Pope 10 make proper investiga- /
ton for the purpose Of determining the
exact date A conference held between
the churches OF the East aud West result
cd IL the adoption ofthe 18th Of Deem
her. Gibbon says the festival Of Christ
mas was placed 1t the winter solstiee,
with the view of Transforming lhc Pagan
Gaturnalia into Christmas festival. Il is
curious 10 note that at the present day
many of the costumes which are observed
at Christmas arc Of Pagan origin, as de-
scl1bed By Martial and other Roman au
thors. The Christmas tree is another eX-
ample of the power aud influence Of
TO transform Pagan rites aud
ceremonies. The Christmas tree, which
is of German origin, is simply the symbol
OF the tree Isdragil, or tree of life, which
figured so conspicuously IN scandinavian
No festival of the Christian
church surpasses Christma3 in the exela-
pli6cation of the power aud influence OF
religion. The old recall the days CfyoGth,
The young are absorbed in the present,
the distant waUderer reyivcs kind
thoughts OF home, and tender recollec-
lions serve to render absent friends more
dear, and that one touch of nature which
makes the whole world kin exhibits Its
best influence. Christmas is the oldest Of
all the holidays. The green ivy of near
" two thousand years have cnIwined
about il with 4 holy love, aud with it, sell
emu aud ever To be remembered antiqui-
ties are blended the sweet memoirs of
childhood. Forever old and vet forever
young Christmas rules supreme over the
great heart of the world and sends ont
mighty streams fcharity. Down through
the ages, covered with the dust of centu-
ries, has come 5the angel song, "glad tid-
ings of great JOY to you, good will and
peace we BRING He whose anniversary
it is, with holy love, hallnwing all the
scene, taught charity and said, "1ove my
as thy SELF" Remember to-day
his great moral lessons and go forth amidst
the beautiful earth and beneath the blessed
heavens, in harmony with their spirit,
and in fulillment of their high teachings
and intent. The STATESMAN wishes
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
to every one.