Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-12-28
LEGENDS OF THE HOLIDAY.
about the History of the
Worlds Festival.

The observance of the Christmas festi-
val is not confined to any single nation or
period. 1t has been common in every peri
cd of the Christian era, from the first ceu-
tury downwards, aud even pagan no less
than Christian nations have united in the
celebration. 4 variety of observances
have been adopted, according to the pre-
vailing customs Of the nation and age.
But in every period and among every
people there have been feasts OF rejoicing
aud ceremonies of devotion.
Among the Romans even, in the ear
lest ages, the slaves were permitted to
enjoy freedom Mt this season work was
suspended, houses were decked with
evergreen and laurel, presents were made,
games were indulged in, and merry maxi
ing was the chief pursuit.
In the nations of the bleak North the
same diversions were common, and among
the Druids and Saxons and Goths. and al
most every other people, the blazing fire
was kindled and sumptuous fsasts were
served. The festival, is inseparably asso-
ciated with the grnndest yet most mys-
terious event in the history of mankind
Amidst all the revolutions of time, and
in spite of all the opposition which has
been arrayed against it at times, the
Christmas festival is perhaps the one
most universally observed. Authorities
differ as to the true commencement Of
the Christmas season. DR.. Parr says the
date properly belongs to the 10th of Sep
tember, known as 80 Sapientia" day.
Some of the symbols used MS typical
emblems of the Christmas festival have
au interesting history That of the ta-
pers and candles SO prominently display
ed as n feature of the Christmas ceremo-
MES is thus recorded:
Among the northern heathens of Eu-
rope the summer solstice was publicly
celebrated by the lighting of fires and the
| winter solstice in the family by the fir
tree covered with tapers. Gregory the
Great urged that this latter custom should
be turned into the service of Christianity
by having a Christian signifcatiou given
| it. 1t was formerly usual, and it is still
in some places the custom, to place under
the tree representation Of Adam and
Eve, and on the tep that OF an angel with
a flaming sword, or with rod. Those
who adopted figures OF this kind proba'
bly, intended thereby to represent the
true knowledge OF good and evil-the
fall, the redemption and the salvation.
The lights typiticd the Light OF the
| World. Sometimes n star appeared on
the summit, to denote the star of Bethle-
hem. In the churches, at this time, were
representations of the manger at Bethle-
hem the stable, Mary, Joseph and the
Infant the shepherds and their tiocks
the angels, and other features appropri
ate to the occasion.
The beautiful custom of giving pres
ents to children. associated with the
Christmas tree, originated IN the Protest
ant districts of Germany and the north OF
Europe, where the anniversary of the
birth of Christ was celebrated with vari
ous attractive ohscrvances. For n long
time it was customary for kuecht Rupert
II character who still iiourishes in somt
villages OF north Germany, to bring the
Christmas tree and its accompanying gifti
to the dwellings of the children. Knech
Rupert, a kind of Santa Claus, in his Mt
tire Of peculiar makeup, was the yer!
embodiment of winter. This consisted
of a long, white robe. high buskins,
mask with venerable white beard and eye
brows, and an enormous tlaXen wig
Usually he had two attendants. also mask
ed and disguised, who assisted him II
carrying his burden of treasure gift
which were sent to him by the parents o
the children to whom he was to presen
them. His visits were made between
twilight and bedtime, and when he thre'
open the door Of German cottage on
snowy and frosty night, and entered
bearing the Christmas tree on his shou
ders, hung with lanterns and all kinds {
embellishments, he was regarded as a II
lmsrksble visitor, whose strange sppsa