The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-12-19
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49,
Before another issue of TIE CLARION
geets its readers, the great holiday that
comes 'sbutonce yea" viii be numbered
With the eighteen hundred and eighty.
two that preceded it, It is too much 70
hops that It will bring good cheer" to
every household, for we know that ia
come where this journal is a welcome
visitor, the Christmas time Of 1888 viii
BE- ssdly remembered. But even there
We trust that the depression and gloom
VIII be mellowed by the surrounding
10Y and gladness, and that all, Of every
circumstance in life, viii experience
some Of the joys this festival season Is
designed to dispense.
Christmas, says Mr.. Webster, Is the
festival of the Christian church, OBJ
served annually on the 18th dag Of De-
eember, in memory Of the birth OF
Christ" By national and State statutes,
in this country, it is declared holiday,
and in the traditions and hearts OF the
people 1t Is regarded as holy-day. The
actual and precise date of the birth OF
the Saviour Of Mankind is a matter OF
conjecture. December was in the height
Of the rainy season in Judea, when
neither focks nor shepherds could have
been at night in the fields Of Bethlehem
The Christian communities, however
which observe Christmas as religious
festival, lay more stress on keeping
day In memory Of the Nativity than OF
success in the selection of the particular
day OF that great event. During tn,
afth century the present date was fixes
upon, either from the influence Of som
tradition, or from the desire TO supplan
heathern festivals Of that season Of TIT
year, such as the Saturnalia, etc.
In all civilized countries the annua
recurrence Of Christmas has been cel5
brated with festivities Of various kinds
In none, however, WAS it more joyful
wslct med than in England, where eve
4till the cold honor" has not altogethe
aed. In that country, it was tb
custom on Christmas, when the usua
ievotiOns were over, to light larg
candles and throw on tia hearth
huge log, called the Yule Log 0
Christmas Block. At court, and in tn
houses of the wealthy, an officer, name,
the Lord Of Misrule, was appointed t
.uperintend the re7els: and In Scotland
similar functionaFy was to be ap
pointed, under the title of the Abbo
of Unrsason, till the year 1855, whel
the Office was abolished by Act Of Pal
lament. The reign of the Lord of bis
rule began Oh All-fIaliow eve, and lastet
till Candlemas day. The favorite pas
times over which he presided were gam
ing, music, conjuring, dipping for nut
and apples, dancing, fool plough, ho
cookies, blind mans bluff, etc. The fay
orite dishes for breakfast at this seasol
were the boaE's head with an apple 0
orange In the mouth, and set off wit
rosemary, plum pudding and mince pies
The houses and churches were deeket
with eyergeens, especially with mistle
toe, to which a Evolutionary sacrednes
has attached since the day Of tn
| Druids,
II has always occurred to US that Their
$ too great attention paid to the festiv
character of the season. and too little t
its more solemn aspects. 1t is tim
for the exercise of gratitude and thanks
giving, for expressions and acts of praise
and for dispensing gifts, especially t.
those who need them. Il is time Il
forget grievances, to forgive wrongs, Il
heal enmities, and to "be kindly afec
toned one toward another" 1t is 9
time to remember and provide for the
poor, and the Good Book tells US that
'he that hath O bountiful eye" toward
the needy, "shall be blessed" The
thousands, we might say millions
annually wasted in dissipation and
revelry, to celebrate the most solemn and
momentous event in the worlds history,
would provide food, raiment and shell
ter for all the poor of the land, and en-
dow score of charitable asylums.
But we set out not to mcralize on the
subject, or to effect q reformation as to
the manner of observing Christmas Day
but to wish to all our readers all the
happiness and Joy that pertains to the
season.