The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-12-24

ward from ASIA at very early perloo III
history, from whence they doubtless carried |
the story of the ash. On the Assyrian
and other monuments of the East the tree
is found and represented as an object of re-
ligious veneratiOn and both this and Ygg-
drasil may be perversiOn of the Scripture
account of the Tree of Life.
1t would be an easy task to linger long
on the subject of Christmas-eye, but the
day itself claims attention.
1t is the most joyous of all the festivals,
and, falling on fast, converts it into feast.
But it is hardly worth while here to dis
cuss the question whether or not December
25th is the true anniversary. At the pres
ent time, we may dismiss the question to
the limbo of Jewish Sabbaths and new
moons. 1t is the event itself, which is one
of the grandest events in history that we
are called to celebrate. From the time OF
Julius l., both the East and the West have
united in observing the same day, which, in
addition to Scandinavian observances al
ready described are inherited customs
drawn from the merrymakings of the Ro-
man Saturnalia.
Throughout the middle ages and down
to the period of the Reformation, Christmas
was universally observed with every sign of
rejoicing, but at last it found opponents.
As we learn from Jameson: The minis
ters of Scotland-in contempt of the yther
halle dayes obseruit be England-cause
their wyfs and servants spin in oppin sicht
of the people upon Yeul day and their af-
fectionate auditeurs constraines their ten
nants to yok THAR pleuchs on Yeul day in
contempt of Christs Natiuitie, whilk, he
solemnly adds, ''our Lord has not left un
punisit; for their oxin ran wod [mad and
brake their nekis, and leamit lamedl some
plough men, as is notoriousl ly knawin in
sundries parties of Scotland.
OF Christmas in the olden time we get
glimpse through Pepy's Dairy:
Christmas day 0662). Had pleasant
walk to Whitehall, where intended to
have received the Communion with the
family, but I came a little too late. So L
walked to the house, and spent my time
looking over pictures, particularly the ships
in King Henry VIII. s voyage to Bullaen;
marking the great difference between those
built then and now. By and by, down to
the chapel again, where Bishop Morley
preached on the song of the angels, GLORY
to God on high, on earth peace goodwill
toward men, Methought he made but a
poor sermon, but long, and reprehending
the common jolity of the court for true joy
that shall and ought to be on those days.
Particularized concerning their excess In
plays and gaming, saying that he whose
office it is to keep the gamesters in order,
and within bounds, serves but a second
rather in duel, meaning the groome porter
Upon which it was worth observing how
far they are come from taking the repre-
hension of bishop seriously, that they al
laugh in the chapel when he reflected on
their ill-actions and courses. He did much
press us to JOY in these public days of JOY
and hospitality. But one that stood by
whispered in my ear that the bishop did moi
spend one groate to poor himself. The
sermon done, a good anthem followed with
Walls, and the King came down to receive
the sacrament.
"Christmas-day 0665,J To the church
in the morning, and there saw wedding
in the church, which have not seen many
day; and the young people so merry
with one another, and strange to see what
delight we married people have to sex
these poor fools decOyed into our condition
every man and woman smiling and gazing
at them
The poetry of the season which com
memorates the Christ-Child is rich anc
abundant, as might be supposed, from the
fact that the season has taken such
deep hold upon all hearts. The earlier Of
our popular Christmas ballads were, how
ever, somewhat rugged and unadorned
But Jeremy Taylor refers to Gloria IN ec
ceLsts, as the first carol. So Milton says
"His place of .rth a solemn angel tells
To simple sheperds keeping gS %atcn hS al nnre h1gh''
! Ofsquadon'd d angels hear his carol sung"
Still we find carols of the following kind :
"God rest you, merry gentlemen,
Let nothing you dlSmay,
! For Jesus Christ our Saviour,
Was born upon this day,
To save US all from Satans power,
When we were gone astray,
o tidings of comfort and Joy!
/ For Jesus Chris. our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day.
Again: ~ I ..
"When Christ was born of Mary free,
| In Bethlehem, in that fair citie,
Angels sang there with mirth and glee
III Ercelsis Gloria"
Still another sings .g,.. .. -..ss
81 saw three ships come sailing in nl -a
| On Christmas-day on Christmas-day
saw three ships come sailing IN
On Christmas-day in the morning. t
"And what was in those ships all three.
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
And what was in those ships all three
On Christmas-day in the morning? -
"Our Saviour Christ and His Lady, ,l -u
! on Christmas-day on Christmasday, m
| Our Saviour Christ and His Lady,
! ON Christmas day in the morning
A Yorkshire carol may here be quoted
as it is sung by the children going about IN
procession :: r a,a. ss. ... .... .9..
/ - Cal well -a-day! Well-a-day r...t f.. .ta.
Christmas too soon goes away,
/ Then your gooding we do pray,
/ ii For the good time Will not stay
/ rI1 We are not beggers from door to door, u
/ But neighbor's children known before,
| So gooding pray, if.r =,
We cannot stay, #'. T.. --
/ -. But must away, uH- ~
For the Christmas will not stay; lr...-,
Well-a-dayi Well-a-day?
These things are interesting simply as
connected with the literature of the subject
but some lines from ''Herrick," of very
different order, may be added, in conclusion,
,4,,,;tl !, d;nor +ba lano+h IF this article