The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1883-12-27
Christmas supestltIOns.


Il is curious fact that the forms and
traditions Of our ancestors. connected
with our festivals, have been retained
aud handed down from one generation
TO another with very few changes;
none, however. except where civiliza-
ton has softened and beautified them,
for the mistletoe and holly, the Yule-
log and Christmas candies, are as full
of meaning in the New York homes Of
to-day as they were in merry old En-
gland when Herrick wrote:
"Klnde the Christmas brand. and then
Till sunset let II burn"
One of the earliest customs is the
decorating Of our homes and churches
with evergreens at Christmas time, for
our fOrefathers believed that the dec
Grafton OF private dwellings in recogni-
ton of the Incarnation of the Divinity
would, by marking the homes Of the
believers, preserve them from the in
truslon and evil auspices of fiends.
II is regarded as very unlucky cir
cumstance if any leaves or sprigs are
dropped or remain behind on the re-
moyal of the church or home decora-
tons, and all must be cleared away be-
fore Candlemas-day February y; and
on no account should the sacred m 'stle-
toe bough = the standing symbol OF
rough-and-ready Irritation, without con-
seriousness or necessity of harm-be
cast into the street or carelessly thrown
aside; for love luck il must be burned
by the oldest unmarried member Of the
family. male or female.
II 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 a double meaning by
adding a sprig of mistletoe, the gleam-
ing berries conveying message OF hope,
for II the holly carries good wishes and
foresight or torethought, the mistletoe
is an assurance of II surmount diff
culies, p" and many o wife has been won
by this little token OF assurance.
From the remotest times Of the burn
ing of the Yule or Christmas log, it has
had all kinds of superstitions connected
with it. In some parts Of Europe the
log must be of certain kind Of wood,
as in Devonshire 1t consists of fagots OF
ash bound together, and an extra glass
from the cider barrel Is expected by the
guest for every crack made by the blaz-
ing fagots. One log is the general GUS
tom, but we have known hod of coal
selected for that purpose when wood
was inaccessible. A bit of the Christ
mas log must always be saved
to light next years Christmas
fire with, and be sure that
the fire does not go out during the
night, nor Entil Christmas Day at sun
down. In many homes music is played
during the ceremony of lighting the
fire, but on no account must 1t BE- light
ed before the proper time, which is at
sunset, Christmas Eve. The Yule OF
Christmas candles should b, 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 person
present must extinguish them, but a bit
OF each must be saved to relight on
New Years Eve, to see the old yelr out
and the new year in. 1t is considered a
very bad omen for any one TO leave the
table during supper on Christmas Eve
until all are through, and seq that there
is an even number of guests, if you will
make friends during the year. Be sure
and have cheese and cake untouched
in the house. and let no one tempt you
to cut them before the proper time.
Never refuse to take or give food and
shelter at Christmas time.
1t is very lucky for a child to be born
on Christmas Day, especially if the day
falls on Sunday And the girl who is a
bride on the 10Th Of December is said tc
have nothing to fear.
AtRo other time is q black cat--a
strange black thought to be lucky
but at Christmas. Ii one comes into
the house, it is o sure sign OF money.
No person but the boys must presume
to go out-of-doors on Christmas morn
ing until the threshold has been con.
secrated by the incoming footsteps of a
man.
"Dem folks what hab short talking
(quarrels) OH Christmas Day or night
won't hab no luck in friendship, love
or pocket" said an old colored nanny;
and be sure you wish some one "Mer-
ry Christmas before you put your
shoes and stockings on; and for real
good luck kiss the oldest person in the
house first on Christmas morning, and
the youngest on New Years morning. :
Harper'S Bd.ar.