The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-12-27

and traditions of our ancestors. con-
nected with the festivals, have been
retained and handed down from one
generation to another with very few
changes; none, however, except where
civilization have softened and heauti-
fed them, for the mistletOe and holly,
the Yulelong and Christmas candles,
are as tull of meaning in the New
York homes of to-day as they were
III merry old England when Henry
wrote:
"Kindle the Christmas brand and then
Till sunset let it burn"
One OF the earliest customs is the
decorating of our homes and churches
with evergreenS at ChriStmas-time,
for our fore fathers believed that the
decoration of private dwellings In
recognition of The Incarnationlof the
Divinity would, y making the homes
of the believers, preserve them from
the intrusion and evil auspices of
tiends.
1t is regarded as very unlucky cir
Gumstance If anyIleaves or sprigs are
dropped or remain benlnd Oh the re-
lnoVal of the church or homa decora-
tions, and all must he cleared away
before CandlelEas day February p;
and on no account should the sacred
mistletoe bough-the standing sym
Dol of rough-and-ready filtration, with
out consciousness or necessity OF
harm-be cast into the streets or
careleSSly thrown aside; for love luck
it must be burned by the Oldest un-
married member of the family, male
OF female.
If one wishes to revive an old Ru-
man custom, let him send holly
branch to his friends rs typical of
good wishes, and it may have d double
meaning by adding IA sprig OF mistle-
toe, the cleaning berries conveying
message of hope, for If the holly car
ries good wishes and foresight or fore
thought, the mistleJoe is an assurance
of 81 surmnunt difficulties" and many
a wife has been won by this little to-
ken of assurance.
From the remoteSt time to the
burning OF the Yule or Christmas
log, it has had all kinds of supersti-
tions connected with it. In some
parts of Europe the log must be OF a
certain kind of wood, as in Devon
shire it consists of fagots of ash
bound together, an extra glass from
the cider barrel is expected by the
guest for every crack made by the
blazing fagots. One log is the gene
raj custom, but we have known hod
of coal selected for that purpose
when wood was inaccessible. A Bit of
the Christmas log must always be
saved to light next years Christmas
fire with, and be sure that the fire
does not 90 out during the night, nor
until Christmas day at sundOwn. In
many homes music is played during
the ceremony of lighting the fire, but
on no account must it be lighted be-
fore the proper time. which Is at
sunset, Christmas eve. The yule, or
Christmas candles, should be lit SOon
after, but for good luck the light must
be taken from the Christmas fire. 1t
is very bad luck to snuff them, and
they should be set on the highest shelf
or table in the room. The oldest Uer-
son present must extinguish them,
but bit of each must be saved to re-
light on New Years eve, to see the
old year out and the new year in. 1t
is considered a very bad omen fer any
one to leave the table during supper
on Christmas eve, until all are through,
and see that there is an even number
of guests, if you will make friends
during the year. Be sure and have d
cheese and cake untouched in the
house, and let no one tempt you to
cut them before the proper time.
Never refuse to take OF give food and
shelter at Christmas time
1t is very lucky for child to be
born on Christmas day, especially If
the day falls on Sunday. And the
girl who is bride on the 25th OF De-
cember is said to have nothing to fear.
At no other time is a black cat-a
strange black cat-thought to be
lucky but at Christmas. Ii one comes
ito the house 1t is sure sign of
money.
No person but the DO s must pre-
sumo to go out-Of-doOrS OH Christmas
morning until the threshold has been
consecrated by the incoming footsteps
of a man.
Dem folks what hab short talking
| (quarrels) on Christmas day or night
won't haD no luck in friendship, love
or pocket" said an cid colored man.
my; and be sure you wish some one a
merry Christmas" before you put
your shoes and stockings on; and for
real good luck kiss the Oldest person
in the house first on Christmas MOI n
ing, and the youngest on New Years
morning.