Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1883-12-21
CHRISTMAS

of the editor Of :he GRAPHIC, and
doubtless many older people might
properly make the same inquiry.
Those who have made study Of such
things tell US that from the remotcst
antiquity "about this season OF the
year" has been festival, with people
of various and widely separated
nationalitles. and race characteristics.
Among the early pagans, the new birth
of the sun, or its seeming start on the
return journey to the north, which oc-
ours at this time was celebrated with
rejoicings. The early - Druids also
celebrated some OF their most solemn
rites at this season, and it is believed
tina. the common customs of dccorat.
ing houses and churches at Christmas
with eveTgreens was derived from them
1t was an old superstition that the
sylvan spirits might flock to the ever
greens. for protection from the frosts
of winter. While the superstition itself
has long since fadded away, the very
appropriate and beautiful custom re-
mains. The celebration of Christmas
! by the christian world, is one of the
Oldest observances in the history ofthe
church, dating back as early as the
second century. according to writer
in the Inter- Oeean. The same writer
says that "The eastern churches in the
dawn of christianity were wont to cele-
brate it in the months of April and
May. An order was issued in the
fourth century for an enquiry by
tbeologians versed in such matters, and
the enquirers decided to agree on De-
cember 18th, which has ever since
been the day observed, as the anniver-
sary celebration of the birth of Christ,
though it is not at all probable that it
is really, and actually, the. day of his
birth. The word itself is derived OF
made up of two words. The Roman
Catholic church from the sixth century
maintained and practlced the custom
Of mass at midnight, another at cary
dawn, and third in the morning, and
thus we have Christ mass CT Christmas.
The early Puritans in this country
and elsewhere, being SO bitterly averse
to any and everything originating with
the papacy rigidly forbid as scandal
and sin the observance of the day
and we believe, though We are not Ger
tain, that in some of the colonies laws
we're passed forbidding it. Probably
from this cause the day was not form
erly much esteemed in New Enland,
but now the custom of decorating
homes, churches and schools and of
having christmas trees has become
pretty nearly universal there as else
where. The giving Of presents proba.
bly, originated in commemoration of
the presents brought the Lhrist.child
ty the wise men of the East, as narrat-
ed Ill the gospels. Christmas IS very
appropriately called the childlen's fes-
tival and for this reason st. Nicholas
(or Santa Clause the patron saint of
children. plays so prominent a part in its |
observance. The Christmas Tree" is
to have originated with the |
protestants of Germany. who unlike
their English co.religionists did not,
while separating from Rome, believe it
necessary to shut out all the joyous
and innocent observances of life. Thi
pretty and appropriate customs once
only found in German, homes has be.
come naturalized, so to speak, in
America, and is highly prized by the
title ones without regard to race "or
previous condition" Every year
Christmas is becoming less and less
mere ecclesiastical observance, and
more and more a season of cheerv
nirth and good will to all. We notice
hat even our Jewish friends are debat-
ng the question whether they cannot
DIN with the balance Of mankind in
he observance OF the day, as they too
ave day celebrating one oftheir his !
,rical deliverances from their ancient
nemies which "comes about this time -
the year." and it would require
ut little modification of their ancient
tual to make coincide with our day
{ rejoicing. So we see We as race
re the debtors of many ancient sources
Y our present christmas customs, and
IS not at all strange that even through
e Law OF ''herdity" we should natur-
ly feel like rejoicing during the happy
'ristmas-tide. And now the GRAPHIC \
shes. one and all, and especially the
tie one, a "MERky CHRISTMAS"
7. c. George, Of Sticklersviile, vas
,ked by horse recently and seriousS