The Baltimore County union., 1882-12-23
CHRISTMAS FOLKS LORE AND THE
TREE.

spread its illuminated branches over the
whole wide world from the dim, dis
tant islands Of the Southern Ocean TO
the ice bound regions OF the Arctic
zone,-from the wild prairies of our
Western world TO the shores Of Eastern
Asia.
The origin and history of the Tree is
not often made the subject of thought,
hut, so far as we have been able to as
certain, its first mention is found in old
German Volks songs, which date back
to the sixteenth and carly part Of the
seventeenth centuries.
A prominent theologian named Dan
hauer, who lived in Strasburg, about
the time of the thirty years war, says
in treaties on the Catechism published
at that time: "Among other fiddle-fad-
dlcs-xith-which the folk now assume to
honor the birthday OF our Saviour, rath-
or than by diligent reading and search
ing Of the word, is the setting up in their
houses fir tree, which they call a Christ
mas tree, adorned with sugar toys and
dolls. From whence comes this custom,
] know not that il is child's play and
not much better than the mummeries
and profani,ies which used 10 be prac-
iiced at other holy seasons, and that il
tends to build up Satan's chapel rather
than Gods church, am convinced"
Possibly il was such teaching and
preaching that drove the pretty custom
out Of vogue for length OF time, for it
certainly almost died out, and was rcviv-
cd only in the early years Of the presen,
century. Schlcirmacher in his "Chrisi
mas Feast" and Ticck in his Christ
mas Eve" published in 1905, make no
mention Of the jcy-dif'using tree, while
Wolfgang Won Gothic OF having seen
il for the first time, during his student
days in LeipsiC. II the house Of Lorncr 5
grandmother, Minna Stock, when he
received plate Of ginger nuts and com
futures, much to his satisfaction.
That il is German we may readily as
sumo for nothing similar to it ever ex-
isted in any other country, and we know
iha; it was introduced into England by
Prince Albert and into France by
Helena, Duchess OF Orleans. In certain
localities in France, ii is the Christmas
log which plays the conspicuous part at
the festive season. The log is brought
from the woods amidst songs and re-
joicings. Its charrcd remains are care
fully preserved from year TO year, be-
cause Of the life giving properties they
are supposed TO possess, while 4 handful
OF the ashes scattered broadcast is
thought to insure fruitful fields.
In Lorraine, salt and water is poured
over the log, which is then believed 10
be an infalliblc preservaiive against dis
eases, both OF man and beast, and agains;
damage by fire and flood. Belgian su
persiiiions regarding the Christmas log,
are similar to those existing in France,
while in Scandinavian countries fes;ivi
ties connected with the Iulc log and
the Yulc cake are almost precisely
identical with those of old England. In
Savonia, the head shepherd OF each vii
lage goes into the woods early Christ
mas morning. where he breaks of num-
bers OF long, smooth birch rods. These
he carries through the village under his
arms, when the women ruu after him
pulling them away from him The rods
thus captured are stuck into the stored
up grain and used on the following 25;h
OF March TO drive the cattle 10 the
pasture for the first time in the season.
In Dalmaiil, oaken twigs are used,
and these the girls and women ,wine
with red ribbons and gilt threads
Every object they touch when being
borne into the house is fancied 10 be
superna,urally blessed. The oak siumps
denuded Of its branches is thrown into
the Christmas fire. The charred bits
are carefully placed among the branches
OF young trees in order TO promote their
growth.
But, interesting rs these quaint Gus
tens are, they bear no relation to our
Christmas tree. Though We use i, in 4
religious and Christian sense. vet it is
undoubtedly rs much 4 relic of old heath
enish customs rs the supcrStitions which
we have above narrated. all being de-
rived from one common source, the
worship OF the great Teu;on god. Wodan.
The day set apart by the Christian
Church to be celebrated as the birthday
Of our Lord was high day among Ger
manic tribes, being the time OF the win
ter solsiicc, when the sun god began
anew his reign of life and light. Every
one gave himself up for the time to feast
ing and merry. making. The Yule-iire
was lighted, the Yulc-cakes baked, and
the wild boar sacrificed TO the new born
Sun.
Many supcrstiiions were current with
regard 10 the Yuilc fcss;s. Water drawn
that night possessed remarkable cosmetic
properties, being infallible against the
wrinkles which accompany old age ;
faded flowers could be made TO bloom
in their original freshness and beauty by
sprinkling them with this water ami
mails could speak and weather prophetic:
were unerring, for the weather of the
twelve days between Yule-night and
Twelf,h-night could be taken as a sample
for the succeeding twelve months.
In Brunswick at the present time the
Schimmelreiter (rider of the white
horse,) and representative of the Sun
god, forms conspicuous figure in the
Christmas festivals. a group Of three
boys, covered with a white sheet, enacis
the part the foremost boy bears in hi:
right hand staff which holds sieve,
one Of Wodan's symbols, and under hi:
left arm 4 head, made Of 4 pumpkin,
through whose hollow eyes and open
mouth the light of candle shines with
ghas,ly effect.
At Wangeroge the father Of the family
rises before day and goes about the
house draped in white and neighing like
horse. He then retires to his couch /;
but the children find in the morning
their nocturnal visitor has left them their
. ! Chr;.tu,ac nraeantS