Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-12-22
, Christmas COstOms.
THE ORIGIN OF CHRISTMAS A HoLl'
DAY-TBE NJ NNER OF ITS cELE-
BRATIoN IN LIFFERENT COUNTRIES,

BRATIoN IN LIFFERENT COUNTRIES,
The 25th OF December is the day on
" hich The sun IS near the most south
ern point in its apparc Mt annual journey
aud for so long as we have historical
record, it has been celebrated BY cerc'
monies and rejoicings.
The Hindoos on this day decorate
their homes with garlands Of flowers
and papers OF gold aud tlnsel, and the
custom Of making presents to relatives
aud friends is universally observed.
The Egyptians recognised it by their
festivals N honor OF the birth Of their
god Uorus.
In China it is a general holiday, the
shops are shut ard the courts closed
No journey would under any cIrcum-
stances be commenced on this day.
TIE Persians kept it as the birthday
of. Mitbras the Mediator, spirit Of The
sun, with ceremonies, Of uncommon
splendor.
The old Romans held high festival in
honor of Bacchus. rejoicing with him
that the sun was about TO return and re
viyify the vineyards. They designated
the day the birthday Of the invinclblc
sun.
There is no record that the birthday O
Jesus the Christ, vas observed till thC
second century. At the suggestion o
Pope Telesphorus some Of the Eastern
churches recognized the 9th Of January
as the day, while these Of the ) es
added it 10 other celebrations in the las
week OF December.
In the fourth century Pope Julius
made an order assembling the chiefth
ologians Of the time, for the purpose o.
examining all evidence bearing upon The
date of the birth OF Jesus, that they
should, if possible. Fix the day, in order
that its observance might be universal
After due deliberation they decided iha
it was on December the 25th. This de
cision was, at the time, believed by ma
ny of the fathers in the church TO be er'
loneous, and they went so far as to as
sert that the examiners had been biaseC
in their decision by The desire to please
the public, to whom this day had al
ready become 10 be a noted one. Pop
ular feelug, however, sustained thi
council in their decision, which was
finally universally accepted and com
mcmorated. although it's now general
ly believed to be wrong. On the pub
LEGATION of the decision the Roman
Church decreed and instituted special
prayers to the priests. TO be said on
that day, which are known as Chris
masses.
But we find another derivation for the
name. The odd Saxous had word
Mesa, by which they designated al
da, tree from labor, whether holidays
or fast days. The holidays kept IN re-
membrance of the birth OF Christ, were
Christ mGssa.
The Spread oil the Christian religion
carried with it the observance OF Christ
mas as a religious festival with which
became connected other observances
VARYING with the custom, and habits oI
different nations.
With the Germans, Christmas is es-
tecmed the "Chldren's Festival" and
with them originated the world.iamou,
myth of Saint Nicholas" alias 'Santa
Claus" alias kris Kringle," the
patron of Yule tide and the friend OF all
proper boys and prettily behaved girls.
Happily the reform in the observance
of the day, which began in Germany
reached aud was copied in other por'
lions of Europe, Christmas is also now
"Children's Day" in Eogland and
France. In toys and CONNECTIONS tor
The period the children are distinctly re-
mempe red in Italy, and in America the
Christmas Tree, the stockings hung
By the chimney with care," aid the
harmless merry games and innocen
g!ee OF childhood supplant much of the
boi.terous carousal which once tended
10 render the day rollicking aud riotous.
1t was formerly the custom, and is still
the practice in some Of the small villa
ges in North Germany, to commission
the parsonage of "Kuecht Rupert y
corresponding with our Santa Claus,
10 distribute all the presents made by
parents and friends to children. Dis
guised by a mask, wearing an enor'
NOUS faxed beard, clad in long white
robe, and shod in tall buckskins'
"Kuecht Rupert" went from house to
house, was received by the parents
with great ceremony, called for the
children, and after the slrictest investl-
CATION into their deserving. dispensed
gifts accordingly. Santa Claus" we
all know. reports himself differently.
He who said, Suffer little children
to come unto me- was the great foun'
der OF the gladsome feast OF Christmas,
aud it is IN His honor that we uphold
the feast and gladden. the hearts OF the
little ones he loved so dearly. 1t is
pleasure, holy pleasure, TO make then
smiles brighter, their laughter cheerier
and more musical. Let us all, then
properly celebrate Christmas day:
Christmas falls on Saturday this year,
aud severe storms are predicted. The
storm will likely break when. the young
siers wake up and Gud their stockings