The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-01-02
Christmas.

Christmas.
Wherever the Christian religion
prevails and wherever it is introduced
by the missionaries OF the church. the
annual return of the 25th OF December
is celebrated with ceremonies and fes-
tivities of various kinds in commem-
Grafton of the birth OF Jesus Christ.
In the older Christian countries, the
grown people, young and Old: M
dulged in certain revels and pastlmes,
often so questionable in their charac-
ter and influence that an officer was
appointed by the authorities of the
church to preside over the festivities
to see that no eXcesscs were mdulged.
Indeed the clergy found it necessary
to demonstrate often with their respect
i've focks because they paid greater
attention to the worldly and festive
character of the occasion than to its
solemn features. These eXcesses and
lack of respect, on the part of the peo-
pie, for the sacred aspects was due.
probably, to the fact that the precise
date of the Nativity could not be de
termined accurately. The Jewish
Christian. in obedience to the tradi-
tons of the elders. were accustomed
to celebrate certain day of the moon;
and the Gentle Christians, IN the ab-
scence of definite data by which to de-
termine the precise date, decreed that
the 25th of December should stand as
the date of the event for the Gentle
world. The festivities were introduced
on Christmas eve by lighting large
candles and by throwing on the hearth
the Yule Log or Christmas Block and
the pastimes were games of various
kinds, conjuring, fortunetc!ling, dane
ing. blind-man's butf, etc. The favor
ite dishes of Christmas Day were the,
pigs head with an apple or orange in
its mouth. accompanied with rose
mary, plum-pudding and mince pies.
The houses and churches We're dccora-
ted elaborately with ever-greens, es-
peciallv with mistlctoc, to which an
old Druid tradition attaches Z peculiar
sacredneSs especially III the case OF
lovers. The sacred features Of this
festival were religious services lnciud-
ing sermons OH subjects relating 20
the Nativity. hymns. etc. 1t IS to be
regretted that SO little attention is
given to this feature OF the Christmas
season in later years. It's neglect by
the ministry tends to separate the
church as participant IN It's tcs;ivi-
ties and to turn them OYER t. the
world as an occasion Of fun aid frol-
ic, too often resulting III G;Sgnac2:ui
conduct and shameless crime.
The annual recurrence Of Christmas
in on. country few generations ago
was greeted by the gentlemen of the
different nei@hborhoot:s meeting to-
eether on Christmas eve and firing
voiay after voley at the windows and
doors of country homes until day
break Christmas morning. On these
occasions the entire party were invited
by the good wife OF the home to par-
take of cggnogg and cake. often some
thing stronger. These cXc;uSiGns
were made with the best intention and
the hospitality Of the home, offered III
the same spirit. The frolic often end
ed in deer hunt and always with the
proverbial Christmas dinner and
cheer. In later Years the man and
shot gun have been relegated to the
rear and the small boy and tirecracker
have come to the front: While we
regret the passing .way of an old and
honored custom, we welcome the new
condition of things more in keeping
with the proprieties Of the season and
less harmful in practice. Let the
children salute the coming OF Christ
mas eve and morn with crackers and
trumpet, horn until their personal eX-
perience and the example OF their eld-
ers give them a higher idea Of the sa-
credness and blessedness OF the Christ
mas season. Then parents and chill
dren shall stand on a higher level and
with voice giving expression to the
feeling of the heart, praise God for his
unspeakable gift to man.
There is no feature of the Christmas
tide norn in accord with the propr;e-
ties of the occasion than the universal
custom among Christian people of
giving presents tochildren and friends
as tokens OF the affections we bear
them. 1t is typical though III a less
degree of that divine love which
prompted the gift of . Saviour to
lost world. Man will rejoice through
out the endless ages which are Yet to
come because Of the gilt which made
it possible for divine justice to be sat
istied and thus secure his salvation.
Praise and shouts of Joy viii continue
to ascend until that great day shall
como ,rhen the redeemed cOn0reU3ted