St. Landry democrat., 1881-12-24
Christmas.

Tomorrow is Christmas "a day that
is supposed to bring gladness and
joy to all chistian hearts, especially
to the very youthful ones, that have
the utmost faith in the existence Of a
veritable Santa Claus; but to those
that have already throbbed away half
of mans allotted life, it should also be
a reminder that it is the beginning Of
another annual wave OF time which
watts them steadily and surely to the
shores of Eternity. One would natur-
ally think from the fact that the day is
intended to be the celebration Of the
birth of Christ, that it would be OBJ
served by all christians and in all ages,
in solemn and religious manner, and
that any JOY manifested on the occasion
would be of purely spiritual character.
But such does not seem to have been
the case in fact, Christmas celebrations
have partaken more OF the nature of
earth than of heaven. If there was, or
is, any sanctity in the particular day of
Christ's birth, it is lost, as that particu-
lar day, and even the month in which
it falls, is not known. In fact there
was 10 observance of Christmas by the
early christians. If it had been con-
sidered by the Great Ruler as a divine
day, to be observed religiously as an
essential part of the christian economy,
it seems that it should have been so
announced at the beginning. But dur
ing the earthly life Of Christ, and for
over century afterwards, it was not
observed; and finally it was instituted
by one of the Popes. For two centuries
it was movable festival, like Mardi
gras and Easter Sunday, and celebrated
in the months Of April and May. In
the fourth century an investigation was
made by authority of the church, and
December 25th was fixed for Christmas ;
but from the foregoing we may reas-
onably conclude that fixing 1t at this
date was simply arbitrary, or approx
mate at most, and that the real day OF
the birth of the Savior of mankind is as
certainly lost among the three hundred
and sixty-five days that constitute
year, as is the identity Of the ten lost
tribes Of Israel in the great ocean Of
When Christmas was first instituted,
and for many centuries afterwards, the
christian church was all catholic Or the
same denomination. The manner OF
celebrating the day has varied in differ
emit ages, in different countries and with
different religious denominations. The
ilay in ancient times was considered one
for religious commemoration and cheer
full feasting. Later, during the middle
ages, the manner OF its observance
seems to have lost in spiritual tone;
then it was celebrated in a gay, fantas-
tic manner by what we would here now
call "the Mardi- gras"-personsi in masks
and grotesque costumes. Singing ana
the music of fiddles, guitars, etc., with
dancing, was also part of the celebra-
ton. Of course the day was begun
with mass; then the inner
man" was supplied with food, In order
10 sustain the main business Of the day,
which seemed to be--to use a modern
expressive phrase" to play the devil
The German manner OF
observing Christmas was the most
beautiful, and altogether innocent. 1t
was a children's festival by means OF
the Christmas-tree, which lately has
been obtaining in this country-we get
it from the Germans. Another way OF
it there in some districts,
was for all the presents intended for
the children in the community to be
given to one person who, disguised with
mask, white robe, long white hair and
the idea of modern Santa
visit eacn house, call for
each child by name, and bestoW the
gifts with words of praise or reproof
according to his previously ascertalned
of each ones past conduct.
The old way of celebrating Christmas
in England was rather boisterous and
rough: but latterly it has toned down.
The Puritans, when they settled New
did not keep up the English
custom in this respect, but set their
: foot down." SO to speak, on Christmas
Down South, and here at
Dpelousas, we have Christmas in all its
glory. This is free country, and
eve, vone does as he pleases. Some,
but very few, go to church some have
Christmas trees, and the children hang
IN their socks and stockings-we hope
-hev,ll ali be full tomorrow morning
80 cot 1;p dinners and drink foo