Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-24
CHRISTMAS.
When and How the Festival Was First Insti-
tuted and Celebrated.


Written fo- Tie Evening star
When, where and why was this festival insti-
tuted? As in almost all things ancient. there
are various theories "a to the origin OF this day.
1t is certain that it il no; of Divine appoint
ment, nor even of New Testament origin. The
exact date Of the Savior's birth is not known.
The early church fathers do not speak of it and
not until early in the fourth century is there
any reliable record of a Christmas time
The date of His baptism was recognized and
celebrated as early as A. u. go as the festival
of Epiphany. This took the precedence because
the fathers considered this event as His first
real manifestation TO men. The tendency of
the early church was TO multiply festal DAYS
and when they became too numerous thev were
merged into one or more great festivals
Thus the GENTLE day. when Christ was
manifested TO other nations than the Jews.
The day when the three wise men from the east
came to bring presents. The day OF the
first miracle of Cana The day OF the
feeding of the 5000 were all merged into the
one great feast of Epiphany. which was after
ward known as the festival of the Three Holy
Kings" az the worlds evsngelization idea he
came uppermost in the church. As time went
on there arose the day of stephens MARTYR
dom. December &c; St. Johns day. December
"a: the day of the massacre of the innoceuts
December %; the Circumcision. January l.
These we're all united with the dav of Eniphanv.
January s; the date changed TO December
% and the name changed 20 Christmas. This
change took place in A. u. $50. hence all these
other festivals and holy days are older than our
Christmas.
The reason for this is that the church lin
gered at first about the facts OF the death and
resurrection of Christ. the completed fact Of
the great redemption scheme. and naturally
made these scenes the center of their worship
and annual festivities.
In later ages many observsnces other than
the original idea of the birth OF Christ we're
added. Such as the lighting of large candles
and the laying the huge log called the ''Yule
clog" (from huel, round on the Ere TO COM
memorate the turning of the sun and the
lengthening of the DAYS. The dishes most in
vogue were, for breakfast and SUPPER a boar's
head, with an apple or orange in the mouth.
plum porridse and mince pie. Eating the later
was considered a test of orthodoxy. The pie
made long in limitation of the Manager in
which Christ Laid. The private houses as
well as all churches were decorated with ever
greens in which the mistletoe was abundant.
This custom was transplanted from the Druid
ical worshipers of a very early age.
In answer to the questions we started with
then We would say:
!. Christmas was first celebrated in the
fourth century and was universally recognized
by all Christian creeds in the sixth century.
q First in the Western or Latin Church and
later in the Eastern or Greek Church.
B. 1t Is the greatest of all religious festivals
because the incarnation forms the center aud
the turning point of the history OF the world.
II is interviewer in the popular and family LIFE
and is the grand jubilee day for the children As
well as the older members of the family, when
gifts are exchanged to celebrate the infinite
love OF God in the gift of His only begotten
son. 1t kindles In the bleak and cold midwin-
ter holy ire of love and gratitude. and
breaches IN the longest winter night the rising
of the sun of light and the uudimmed glory of
the risen Lord. j. ID. CRoIssANr.