The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1897-12-17
CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENTS.

Whore and when and what They
viii BE.
AS to the origin of the Christmas
tree there is a diversity of opinion,
hut history teaches us that the first
Christmas tree in America was dec
Grated and lighted up in New Am
sterdam when Manhattan Island
was a colony of the Dutch. 1t is re-
corded that on the first Christmas
passed by the Dutch colOnists on
this side the Atlantic they cut down
cedar, took it into the church,
and, with such means as were at
hand, decorated and lighted it,
hanging upon its branches presents
from the governor and his lady to
every member of the colony. The
tree was never brought into general
custom, however, until the begin
ming of the present century. Since
then the custom has grown and
spread until now the institution is
inseparable from the season.
In Columbia but few of the
churches seldom let the happy
Christmastide pass without having
a Christmas tree, or something SINH
lar, for the enjoyment of the chill
dren, not to say for the pleasure of
the older ones, who remember what
Joy in years gone by the heavily
ladened and brilliantly lighted trees
brought to their hearts. This year
nearly every church in Columbia
will in some manner celebrate the
holy season.
The Sunday school of the First
Presbyterian church will have two
large Christmas trees, with eXer-
cises appropriate to the occasion, on
the evening of Dec. "a. There is a
surprise in store for the little ones
who attend here, as old Santa has
positively refused to tell anyone
what he is going to do. OF course,
however, it will be something real
nice and everybody will be pleased.
The entertainment at the South
Columbia Methodist Church, which
will take place on the night of Dec.
"a, promises to eclipse all former eff
forts of this Sunday-school in this
line. There will be an Enchanted
Castle" with all excellent program
of songs, recitations etc., and those
who attend will be highly enter
tanned.
The First Methodist Church Sun
day-school will have a Christmas
tree Friday evening, but the hour
has not yet been fixed. There will
be an interesting programme of
Christmas carols. ETC., and each
| a Ia Af hn n
nice present.
A Christmas tree, bountifully
ladeped with good things, will be
the attraction at st. Peters Episco-
pal Church on Friday afternoon,
Dec. "a.
The Sundays school of the First
Baptist church will hove Christ
mas tree on Christmas eve, but
what will be done, outside of the
present giving, is being kept secret
by those who have the entertain
ment in charge.
The Christmas Stars will twinkle
in all their brilliancy at the First
Cumberland Presbyterian church on
Christmas eve night. This enter
tainment will be characterized by
decorations of numerous golden and
silver stars, both large and small in
size, and there will be nice pro-
gram rendered.
The Sunday-school of the Second
Presbyterian church will have a
Christmas tree, but the time for the
entertainment has not yet been
fixed.
There will be Christmas tree at
the Christian church on Friday
evening about 1880 o'clock. There
will be lots and lots of nice presents
and an excellent programme.
The Sunday-school of the South
Main Street G. P. Church is prepar-
ing to have something nice for the
children's enjoyment, but the
nature of the entertainment has not
yet been decided upon.
Saturday, Christmas day, at p.
M, will be the time for the Christ
mas tree at the Advent Chapel, and
nice treat is in store for the chill
dren of this Sunday-school.
The managers of the Industrial
School will have a Christmas tree
in the room over the Maury
National Bank Christmas eve at p
m. All children who are in the
habit of attending will receive pres
ents.