The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1896-12-23

But 1t is in France, especially in the
western and southern portions thereof.
that the peasants made point of intro
ducing their domestic animals into the
celebration of Christmas not only at
home, but also at church, on the ground
that the poor creatures having partici-
pated in the joy Of mankind at the
birth Of Christ should participate in the
annual commemoration of the event.
Thus in Brittany cattle and sheep NAV
be said to form part Of the congregation
that attends the quaint yet thoroughly
reverent mass performed in most of the
churches of the seacoast villages on
christmas eve. On the right side of the
altar bower is constructed of fragrant
pine and fir branches, with great bunch
es OF crimson berried holHes and mistle-
toe glistening among the verdure. I'm
der this canopy there sits the most
beautiful maiden Of the village, her
hair falling on her loose white gar
ments, while in her arms there reposes a
young infant. Beside her stands young
man wearing gold embroidered robe
and leaning on staff, while an OK, a
donkey and four sheep quietly munoh
corn from couple Of managers. AS
soon as the gospel has been read a
small chorister concealed in the card
board figure Of rooster begins to chant
the verses, "For to us child is born, f"
initiating oleverly at the close Of each
strophe the crow of chantioleer. The
deep bass voice Of another grown up Choir
lister hidden somewhere in the fir branch
bower above described CLOVIS" the re-
Spouse of "Ubi?" (where), which sounds
as If it proceeds from the OK. A tenor
chor1ster concealed near the sheep baas
the word Bethlehem, and then a
baritone voice, apparently proceeding
from the donkey, brays "Eamus" llet
us go thither), Thereupon the rector,
his acolytes and the entire congrega-
ton form procession and march from
the altar to the bower where the repre-
sentation of the nativity is arranged.
The priest, having sprinkled the mother
and child as we'll as the animals With
holy water, thereupon makes his way to
tho chief entrance to the church. the
doors of which are wide open, looking
usually out on to the sea- All the cattle
and the focks of the village have mean
while been driven into the churchyard
and stand crowded together in the sill
very light of NE moon around the Dot
tai. Taking up his position ON the top
most step Of the porch, the rector ex-
claims: God In his mercy. my dear
children, has sent me on this radiant
night Of the nativity to bless your cat
tie and your fooks, because 1T is only
right that the animals which constitute
your greatest help and source of pros
perity should participate in the joy
which fills all our hearts, Now lead
your 1ocks past me. '
The shepherd and cattle herders then
begin to drive the animals past, while
the priest, dipping the sprinkler into
the silver ever Of holy water, showers
the latter upon the horses, the asses, the
oxen, the COWS and the sheep. The
olang of the bells around their neoks,
their lowing, their baaing, their bray
ing and neighing, as we'll as the cries
and words of command of their drivers,
create tremendous din, above which
ever and anon rise the solemn words Of
the priest, "Benedicat vos omnipotens
Deus, Pater ct Filius ct Spiritus Sane
tusr' the choristers bringing the bless
ings to a close with a resounding
"Amenr'
Every one who has wintered in Spain
will recall to mind the 'Missa de
Gallo, or ''cock's mass, )" celebrated il
al the churches on Christmas eve. o.