The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-12-30
CHRISTMAS MINCE PIES.
Celestial and Terrestrial Matters Happily
Blended.

Blended.
Christmas without its association, its
mince pies and plum-pudding, would he
like July without It's Ices Our ancestors
OF Two generations gone had 10 get along
rs they could without the latter and
even we might learn to dispense with the
former But what violation of this NOS
ancient custom il would be, not to say
unworthy neglect of associations, SO
closely related 10 the birth of the adOra-
BILE Infant and His manger throne. One
might ask what connection could
possibly exist between that mysterious
event and such earthly things, sensual,
MS mince pies and plum-pudding II
was over q common hOlstery, and not %
palace that the star stood ere ii sunk be-
hind the Iudean Hills There was no
feasting there; naught but poverty
among the humble ones assembled
around the child so unexpected, except
bv few Among these latter were some
who had come afar, from the distant
Orient. They were Mali, wise OF learned
men. They brought out of their treas
urcs gifts. gold, frankncense and myrrh,
which in alteration they presented 10 the
Holy Infant. The reader may experience
some surprise 20 know that the plum
pudding symbOlizes this very act and
mince pies have these centuries gone con-
tinued go perpetuate custom born out
of this solemn event.
The early Christians initiating the wise
men from the East, upon each returning
anniversary of the birth Of the Saviour,
brought gifts 10 an image Of the Holy
Infant. These took various forms, until
AT last they assumed the shapes OF a heap
or hav-stack. Others were modelled
after the manger, then the cradle or q
hollow receptacles into each Of which
gifts were placed. Only the rich In the
beginning could afford to rival the pious
benifcence Of their predecessors from
the East But in the course of time the
custom became by degrees so universal
that the humble and the poor could bring
their simple and more hOmely tributes on
each returning natal day. Instead Of
Jewels and gorgeous trinkets, less pre-
tentiOus articles found their way into the
appropriate receptacles, until az last
pastries and puddings were brought not
only 10 be offered, In memory OF the
birth of the child wonderful, but 10 be
eaten as symbolical of the life-giying
power 90 be by them received. In imi-
tation of the yaluables brought by the
wise men, fruits and spices were added
to the more simple component parts of
these offerings The pudding, by iis
shape, represented the abundance heaped
up on the occasion; and this has ever
been the typical Offering by the English
people. The mince pie, with is multi
farious compounds, typifes the same
idea but in different form. The original
shape was much deeper than that now in
use, but in these later DAYS the pastry
has been made much Halter, the rim only
being now slightly elevated
The beautiful custom of making pres
ents 10 children at this season also had
is origin in the alteration Of the Maya
custom that has been the inexhausiible
source of more joy 10 the susceptible
hearts of the Innocents than all others
known 20 man. Let il then be cherished
in the coming years, and continue 10 be
practiced until time shall decree there
shall be no more use for Christmas sea-
sons.