Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-12-23
CHkIsrMAs sUrERsTITiONs.
Trimming the House and KeepisE Up the
Fires.

Harper's Bazar.
It is curious fact that the forms and
traditions of our ancestors, connected
with our festivals, have been retained and
handed down from one generation to an
other with very few changes none, how.
ever, except where civilization has soft
ened and beautifed them, for the mistle-
toe and holly, the Yule-log aud Christmas
candies, are as full of meaning in the New
York homes of to day rs they were in
merry old England when Herrick wrote,
"kindle the Christmas brand and then
Till sunset let II burn"
One Of the earliest customs is the deco
rating of our homes and churches with
evergrecns at Christmas time, for our
forefathers believed that the decoration cf
private dwellings, in recognition OF the ln-
carnation of the Divinity would, by mark
ing the homes of the believers, preserve
them from the intrusion aud evil auspices
of fiends.
It is regarded as i very unlucky circum-
| stance if any leaves or sprigs are dropped
or remain behind on the removal of the
church or home decorations. and all must
be cleared away before Candlemas day,
(February o and on no account should
the sacred mistletOe bough-the standing
symbol Of rough. and ready filtration,
without consciousness or necessity OF
harm-be cast into the street or carelessly
thrown aside for love luck it must be
burned by the Oldest unmarried member
of the family, male or female.
| If one wishes to revive an old Roman
custom, let him send a holly branch to his
friends as typical Of good wishes, and it
may have double meaning by adding a
sprig of mistletoe, the cleaning berries
conveying a message Of hope, for if the
holly carries good wishes and foresight OF
forethought, the mistletoe is an assurance
of 81 surmOunt difficulties" and many a
wife has been won by this little token ol
assurance.
From the remotest times of tho burning
of the Yule or Christmas log, it has had
all kinds of superstitiOns connected with
it. In some parts of Europe tho log must
be of certain kind of wood, as in Devon
shire it consists of fagOts Of ash bounC
together, and An extra glass from the
cider barrel is expected by the guest fo
every crack made by the blazing fagots
One log is the general custom, bu
We have known u hOd of Goa
selected for that purpose when woot
was inaccessible. A bit Of the Christ
mas log must always be saved to ligh
next years Christmas fire with, and b.
sure that the fire does not 90 out during
the night, ror until Christmas day at sun
down. In many homes music is playet
during the ceremony OF lighting the fire
but on no account must it bo lighted be
fore the proper time, which is at sunset
Christmas eve. The Yule or Christina
candles should be lit soon after, but 70
good luck tho light must be taken fren
the Christmas fire, 1t is very bad luck t
snuff them, and they should be set on tn
highest shelf or table in tn
room. Tho Oldest person presen
must extinguish them, but bi
of each must be saved to relight on New
Years eve, to see the old year out and til
new year in. II is considered very ba'
omen for any one to leave the table durin!
supper on Christmas eve until all ar
through, and see that there is an eve
number of guests if you would max
friends during the year. Be sure You hav
cheese and cake untouched iu tho house
and let 10 one tempt you to cut them be
fore the proper time. Never refuse t.
take or give shelter at Christmas time.
It is very lucky for i child to be borI
on Christmas day, especially il the da,
falls Oh Sunday. And the girl who Is
bride on the 25th of December is said +
Lave nothing to fear.
At 10 other time is black cat
strange black cat-thought to be luck
but at Christmas. If one CONES into til
. house, it is a sure sign Of money.
No person but the boys must presum
to 60 out-of-doors on Christmas mornin
until the threshold has been coDsecrate
: by the incoming footsteps of man.
Dem folks what hab short taikin
| [quarrels] OH Christmas day or rigi,
) won't hab no luck in friendship, love, @
! pocket, said an old colored nanny ; an
be sure you wish some one " Aierr
Christmas - before you put your shoe
and stockings on !; and for real good luc
kiss the oldest person in tho house first 0
Christmas morning, and the youngest 0
New Years morning.