Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-12-21

~ liShed by Pope IeleS-
phorus. who died A. D. 1873, and throughout
the subsequent history Of the church the day
has been one of the most noted Of Christian
solemnities. In olden times confounded
with the Epiphany. it was celebrated in the
months of April and May In the fourth
century. however. ST. Cyril of Jerusalem
succeeded in obtaining from Pope Julian L.
an order for ascertaining the exact day of
Christ's nativity. The great theolog!ans OF
tho time took as a basis the tables OF the
censors in the archives of Rome and estab-
lished the day which has prevailed ever
since.
The custom of celebrating three masses in
Roman Catholic countries to usherin Christi
mas day-one at midnight. the prcsumable
hour of Chrst's birth. one at dawn and one
in the morning-originated in the sixth
century. 1t has ever been considered day
of cheerful commemoration and merriment.
and during the middle ages was celebrated
by gay, fantastic spectacles. dramatic mys-
teries. moralities and Observation-Disclosures.
In England. Italy. Germany, and nearly
every country in Europe the day is cele-
brated with great festivities. although much
of the elaboration of the same is dispensed
with. Even to this day the Calabrian min
strels for several days preceding Christmas
descend from the mountains to Naples ana
Rome to salute the various shrines in the
churches and public places. The holly, the
laurel. the evergreen. and the ivy are the
chief natural decorations employed. and in
England the college chapels are regularly
trimmed with considerable ceremony.
In the United States. since the Purltans
were at first stern opponents OF Christmas
pastimes. the day was less generally cele-
brated in New England than in the Middle
and Southern States. Santa Claus (St
Nicholas. originally introduced by the
Dutch settlers of New York. is the American
representative of the German Knecht Ru-
pert.
At Christmas eve the bells were rung,
On Christmas the mass was sung;
That one night in all the year
Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear.
Then opened wide the baron's hall
To vassal tenant, serf and all;
Power laid his rod of rule aside,
And ceremony dotted his pride;
Thelheir, with roses in his shoes,
That night might village partner choose;
All hailed with uncontrolled delight,
And general noise the happy night
That to the cottnge us to the crown
Brought tidings of salvation down.
England was merry England when
Old Christmas brought his sports again.
Twas Christmas broachd the might lest ale,
Twas Christmas told the merriest tale;
A Christmas gambol oft would cheer
A poor man ) heart through half the year.
Christmas carols We're marked features of
holiday celebrations in past centuries, and
the literature of every civilized country
abounds in them. They were usually sung
by MINISTRIES, young children, or in cathe-
dral choirs, and no Christmas morning in
village communities was allowed to pass
without this poem of musical commemora-
ton being prominent in the exercises of the
day:
saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day on Christmas Day;
saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day in the morning.
o, they sailed into Bethlehem
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
O. they sailed into Bethlehem
On Christmas Day in the morning.
And all the bells on earth shall ring
On Christmas Day. on Christmas Day;
And oil the bells on earth shall ring
On Christmas Day in the morning.
And all tho angels in heaven shall sing
On Christmas Day. on Christmas Day;
And all the angels in henven shall sing
On Christmas Day in the morning.
Present-giving is q custom of remote ORR
gin, and seems to have run the course of
the years without fashion or circumstances
being able to Danish it. The Christmas tree
has supplanted the Yule log and the mistle-
toe, but this is because of its being more
common and convenient. and of the decree
Of the little ones. who would rather go wild
teries of time-honored usages.