Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-12-24
CHRISTMAS!

CHRISTMAS!
How eloquent the word what tender
and hallowed associations cluster around it,
as pure and bright with hope as the SHIN
mering blaze bursting and trembling upon
the icy robes of the trees, which winters
night had cast upon every branch as though
to rival the foliage of the mellow summer
time.
Yes, Christmas comes, and in a few hours
will commence the glad peals from church
and campanile-the deep-mouthed clangor
and the sweet silvery chimes sounding on
in an unbroken circle around the world
proclaiming the return of the holy night
when the shepherds on the Eastern hills
saw the star that stood over Bethlehem, and
angels sang, "On earth peace, and good will
towards men," From mighty cathedral and
from humble chapel shall swell the song of
praise and the Solemn Mass. In hall and
cot shall be happiness and love, and young |
and old shall rejoice in the festal day of
Christendom
If we consult the dictionaries and encyclo-
pedias as to wha. j. Christmas, it will be
found that we are told that it is the anniver-
sary of Christ's birth But close insPec-
ton of the institution itself will be apt to
lead us to, the -eepel,,sion that Christmas
does lot appear, after ali, TO be very mdtil7m
honor of Christ despite the few religious
services that are held on that day; and we
further find that scholars by no means agree
that it is at all certain that Christ was born
on the 25th of December.
History, which is supposed to be the light
of the past, informs us that Christmas was
once movable festival, and in the East was
celebrated in April and May. We find that
early in the fourth century, Julius the First
ordered an investigation to be made with a
view of ascertaining the date of Christ's
birth, and the result was decision in favor
of the 25th of December. 1t is said that the
decision rested upon data furnished by the
tables of the census at Rome
In ancient Rome the Saturnalian festival
was celebrated on December the 10th, and
at first lasted but one day, but it was ex-
tended to three, and afterwards by order of
Caligula and Claudius, to seven. 1t was a
season of general mirth and festivity, pres
ents were made, the schools suspended, the
Roman senate took recess, slaves had lib
erty and were permitted to eat at the tables
of their masters. Roman slaves, it should
be remembered, were captives taken in war
and did not belong to different race.
1t was believed that the freedom of Italy
under Saturn was symbolized by this festi-
val in honor of the good. Christians could
not join in honor Of a heather divinity, and
yet the Saturna!ia formed the web and wool
of Roman society. What was more natural
then, than to establish christian festival
of similar character in honor, not of Saturn,
but of Christ.
In Northern Europe in early times there
was held the Yule feast, which began on
the night of December the Gath and lasted
several days. 1t was in honor of the sun,
and was the occasion of great joy, large fires
being kept up in the houses all night, hence
the 'yule log" which has found its way into
literature and song.
The Norsemen worshiped the sun, and it
was source of great grief to them to see
their God at the winter solstice dec 22nd)
go so far from them. But when the solstice
passed and -tbe sun began to.return, it was
an occasion of great joy. 1t was oaly by De-
cember Oath that, by means of their imper-
feet method, they could be sure the sun was
coming back again and would ere long
clothe the whole earth with green. This
is the origin of decorating the churches on
Christmas. When Christianity made its way
over Northern Europe the Yule festival gave
way to Christmas, and made the new insti-
tuition somewhat different from the old But
whatever may have been its origin, whatever
its history, it is recognized throughout the
world as day of joy and gladness and gen
crosby.
1t season Tor the exhibition of the more
generous influences of our hearts, for the dis
tribution of those silent charities which fall
like the dews of heaven upon the cold and
hungered around a colder hearthstone, for re.
member, ITO whom much is given, of them
much will be required" 1t is a period when
all unpleasant thoughts and bitter passions
should be buried and the, very atmosphere
be made redolent of joy.
To our patrons and friends, to the mas
tiers and mistresses and to the "litte ones"
OF every household, whittier our thoughts go
and where our love ever fingers, we extend
to each and to all "A Merry Christmas"
May the music of innocent joys fall sweetly
on every listening heart and its melody ever
awaken pleasant recollections through life.
To those who have gone far into the "sear
and yellow leaf" may its return come as
an old playmate, the remembrance of those
sweeter joys of unbroken youth, and its
sunlight awaken forgotten dreams of love
and hope-that love and hope which causes
us to look beyond the dark winter of death
into the fields of everlasting beauty.