The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-12-23
christmas symbols.

cantare, to sing, and rola, an interection or
joy, from very early date. Bishop Tay-
lor observes that the ''Gloria in Excelsis, ~
the well-known hymn sung by the angels
to the shepherds at our Lord s nativity, was
the earliest Christmas carol. In former
times bishops were accustomed to sing these
pious canticles among their clergy. War
ton tells us that, in 1921, Wynkyn de
Worde printed a set of Christmas carols
which were festal chansons for enlirening
the merriment of the Christmas celebration,
quite unlike our religious hymns of the
present day, which are popular among all
classes, and we are told that the Puritans
adopted them in keeping with their more
staid notions of Christmas observance.
The boar's head, soused, was anciently the
first dish served on Christmas day in Eng
land, and was carried up the principal table
in the hall with great state and solemnity to
the chanting of certain carol. Among
other early English customs at this festival
was that of the oblanders, who gave to
their customers gifts of candles, and the
bakers presented their patrons with yule
cakes, which often represented some gro
tesque character in miniature, or pasty
presents of some description.
Among the ancient Romans the laurel
was an emblem of peace, joy aud victory +;
whence an English authority derives the
custom of decorating English homes with
that evergreen, as symbol, denoting joy
for the victory gained over the powers of
darkness, and of that peace on earth and
good will towards men which the angels
sung over the fields of Bethlehem. Other
evergreens were subsequently adopted.
The mistletoe, however, regarded rather
as symbol emanating from the heathenish
rite of Druidism, was never admitted into
churches, but was hung up in dwellings,
where it signifed, upon Christmas occasions,
the right of any young man to salute with
kiss any maiden who passes beneath the
bough. The Christmas-box was one for
the reception of money contributed in con-
temptation of this season, that masses might
be said by the priests, who invoked for
giveness for excesses committed by the peo-
pie.
The old English name of the holly was
"holm," or "holm-oak, y and in many parts
of Ems gland it is still known by these names;
and Holmesdale, in Surrey, and other vii
lagos whose names commence with Holm,
have been derived from the abundance of
holly, which at some period grew in their
vicinity. . .ga.
A writer in Chambers Journal says
concerning the etymology Of mistletoe:
-"Mistletoe is an obsolete old English
word, used, however, as late as in the writ
ings of Boyle, and is defined in DIR. John
sons original folio edition of his dictionary
as the state of being mingled. Now, this
is truly the condition of our plant, which
is intermingled with the foliage of other
trees, and mixes their juices with its own,
and is indeed in rural places still called the
mistle. IF to this we add the old English
tod OF toe, signifying bush, we have at once
the derivation, meaning the mingled bush"
intertwined and growing among foliage
dissimilar to its own"
The Christmas season is proverbial as
one of popular activity among the English
people and the Italians have a provert
expressive of this in the sentiment: "He
has more business than English ovens al
Christmas" The season is well known
throughout Protestant Europe as "The
Children's Festival" Christmas cards are
very popular in England, and the postmer
in London and other cities are busily engaged
in delivering these welcome messages every
Christmas morning.
Leigh Hunt says that volumes can be
written on each of the separate items oi
Christmas association, beginning with ''roast
beef and plum pudding" and ending char
acteristically with Glove, hope, charity anc
endeavor."
The popular custom of decorating the
houses and churches at Christmas with
evergreens is very ancient, and it is believed
to be derived from Druid practices. Il
was an old belief that sylvan spirits nigh
look to the evergreens and secure among
them protection from frost until the return
of spring. The various evergreens in us'
from early times are holly, ivy, rosemary
BAYS, laurel and mistletoe, which; excepting
the latter, retained their place in boil
houses and churches from Christmas unit
Candlemas. Holly and ivy still remain il
England the most esteemed Christmas ever
greens, though at the two universities tn
windows of the college chapels are decke'
with laurel.
Many of the rites and symbols attaching
to the observance of this season may b
traced to period long prior to the tim
when Julius Caesar first landed in Britain
The drawing of the "Yule log" comes fror
very ancient Scandinavian custom, when
in the winter solstice, during certain feas
large bonfres were kindled in honor Of tn
god Thor. The bringing in and placing q
the ponderous log on the hearth OF tn
baronial hall was among the most joyous G
) ceremonies observed ON Christmas eve
feudal times. IF the charred remains G
! the log were preserved to light its successo
of the following Christmas, it was consie
cred sure safeguard against fires in tn
interim.
q The custom among the juvenile porto
of the English people, at one time was cal
n ed "The Burial of the Wren" on s
Stephens day, December 26. On that da
parties of boys went from door to door, tt
/, leader carrying fresh branch of evergree
1 decorated gayly with ribbons and pieces
4 colored paper, to which was attached bir'
e At the door of each house visited the part
: joined in singing the following lines
! rhyme:
: 1.-THE wren, the wren the king of Birds
Was caught on st. Stephens day in the frs;
: Although he is little his honor is great
So rise up kind madam and give us treat
:. Up with kettle. and down with the pan,
q penny or twopence to bury the wren;
Your pocket full of money, your cellar full of beel
e We wish you merry Christmas and happy Ne
Year. rlaa sGt
5 One of the prettiest Christmas custom
: is the Norwegian practice Of giving, Q
0 Christmas day, dinner to the birds. o
r that morning every gable, gateway or bar
. door is decorated with sheaf of corn a
tached to the end of long pole, from whic
i the birds are invited to make their Chris