Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1894-12-17
ABOUT CHRISTMAS.

Christmas is almost IN sight, and
stockings are much longer than they
were last year.
Christmas comes but once a year,
and when it does it sneaks up on ev-
cry one unawares.
A praiseworthy Christmas decora-
tion-lining the pockets of the poor
with gold and silver.
The observance of the 25th of De-
cember as the birthday of our Saviour
is ascribed to Julius, Bishop of Rome,
A. d. 337 So The eastern church had
previously observed the 9Th of Janua-
ry in commemoration both Of the
baptism and the birth of Christ. The
exact date of Christ's birth appears
not to have been known in the early
church and can not now be determin-
ed. Between the middle of December
and the middle of February there is
generally in Palestine an interval of
comparatively dry weather, preceded
and followed by the early and later
rain. Thus there might have been
shepherds on the plain Of Bethlehem
watching their hocks at night.
The custom of decorating churches
and flowers is of very early date. The
Jews used them at their feast of tab
ernacles and the 'heathens in several
of their ceremonies, and they were
adopted by the Christians. Christ
permitted branches to be used las
token of rejoicing upon his triumphal
entry into Jerusalem. 1t was natural,
therefore, that at Christmas time,
when his birth was celebrated, this
symbol of rejoicing was resorted to.
Some of the early councils, however,
considering that the practice some
what savored Of paganism, endeav-
ored to abolish it, and at one time it
was enacted that it was not lawful to
begirt Or adorn houses with laurel or
green boughs.
At Christmas time give by all means
out of the plenitude of your heart and
your purse. Give wise gifts. In your
fashioned and designed by your own
hands and worked with joyous secre-
cy, will give more pleasure than any
thing bought in shop. To the poor
give money, if you do it wisely and
know the recipient. To the rich send
a card or a bunch Of chrysanthemums.
To the children-this is a very sweet
point give what you think each in
dividual boy or girl most desires. The
gun desiring boy may not banker af-
ter the symbol of the diluvian navy
that anchored on Ararat, and the
proud possessor of many dolls may
possibly yearn for growing mechan-
ical bear or live white mouse. Study
they most wish for and then play San
ia Claus to your hearts content.
The custom of hanging stockings on
Christmas eve, like that of preparing
the Christmas tree, is derived from
the Germans, who have a fable that
while the stockings of good children
are filed with toys and sweetmeats by
Khris Kingle-a corruption Of Christ
Kindlin, or Christ Child-those Of bad
ones receive nothing but small rod
or switch, which is placed in them by
another parsonage, known as Pelsni
chol, literally Nicholas with fur, mean
ing ST. Nicholas dressed in fur Tt is
not rare sight on Christmas morn
ing in German household to see the
expression of abject misery and brok
en- heartedness on the face Of some
poor little wight who, having been
disobedient Or otherwise naughty on
Christmas eve, finds in his stocking
only a small birch rod, while the hos
iery of his brothers and sisters is fill
ed with bonbons and playthings. The
dread of getting the rod from old Pei
snichol on Christmas keeps many
German child in order throughout the
e ntire year.
Deans Rheumatic Pills absolutely cure
& neuralgia. Entirely vegeta-
BILE. Safe.
NJ all L Ill