Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-12-21
Christmas.

The twenty fifth day of December is OBJ
served throughout the civilized world by all
Christian nations as the anniversary of the
birth of the Savior. The institution of this
custom is attributed bv the decretal letters to
Pope Telisphorus. who died A. ID. 49, and
throughout the subsequent history Of the
church it has been one of the most noted of
Christian solemni,ies. II has been common
tradition that Christ was born about the mid
de Of the night, and in Roman Catholic conn
tries Christmas day is ushered in by the cele
bration Of three masses, one at midnight the
| second at early dawn. and the third in the
morning During the middle ages II was
celebrated BY a gay fantastic spectacle OF
dramatic mysteries and mOralities, performed
bv percentages in grotesque masks and singu-
lar costumes. The custom of singing canti-
cles at Christmas. called carols, which
recalled the songs of the shepherds at the
birth Of Christ, dates from the time when the
common people ceased TO understand Latin.
During the last days preceding Christmas il
| /. still the custom for Calabrian Ministries to
descend from the mountains to Naples and
Rome. saIuting the shrines Of the Virgin
Mother with their wild music, under the
poetical notion Of cheering her until the birth
time of her infant at the approaching Christ
mas The Purtans were the first stern
opponents of Christmas pastimes. and conse-
auentlv until a recent period the day was less
generally celebrated in New England than in
| the Middle and Southern States. but this pur-
| tanicAl opposition has gradually worn away,
and now it were hard to find, in all our broad
land, more joyous hearts on Christmas Eve than
those gathered around the hearthstones OF our
old New England homes. The custom OF
making presents was first introduced in Ger
many, at an uncertain period, and there, as
| in the United States. constitutes an important
feature in the Christmas festivities. Santa
Claus. originally introduced tv the Dutch
settlers Of New York, is the American repre-
sentative Of the German knecht Rupert and
| no lad or lass in the Fatherland believes
more implicitly in his materially, than do
our own little laughing, rompng cherubs. as
they gather around the traditional stocking.
and delve in its Utmost recesses for the never
missing store of nuts. candy and toys. that
loving hands and kind hearts have in the wee
small hours so quietly and secretly prepared.
| II is for the poor people that Christmas pre-
sents the greatest joys. Those who rcvel in
wealth and splendor, do not possess the acute
sense of appreciation which the annual recur-
ring family festival never fails to bring to the
Door man nedrt. lie 10 NibHl JOY anu tuui-
fort is seldom vouchsafrd at any other time.
knows best the value of Christmas Eve, with
its glowing fires, music. jokes and laughter.
| "a Christmas gamboI oft will cheer
poor mans heart through half the year.
| 1t is eminentlv proper that Christmas
should dispense all discord and animosity,
and that nothing should be allowed to mar the
happiness of any one on this joyous occasion.
| Love should guide our every action. kind
word spoken, or pleasant look given, may
cause to vibrate chords that for years have
resisted both pleading and prayer. Let us
| try and make some person happy. Find
some one of Fortunes castaways, and by a
loving word, or trifling gift, start them a
long way towards regainng character and
selfrespect Let US search out the little
children and make this the happiest Christmas
of their lives by distributing a few packages
| from Santa Claus. Let us forget the cares
and perplexities of business, and for 4 brief
season enjoy unalloyed happiness in the
midst of our home circle, surrounded by
friends, and blessed by our Father who is in
Heaven.