The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-25
CHRISTMAS TREES.

From time immemorial tree has been
Nit Of the Christmas celebration. Ii may
Il seen outside the traditional managers in
he missals and early paintings of the pre-
Esphaeaite Italian school. In uhis tree Or
inr Il are seen angels in flowing robes
Urging out OF a scroll of illuminated pa
NJ the Peace on Earth and Good viii
NKsm Men, or Glory. Glory, Halleiu-
HI
Toe correct German Christmas tree al
sus has an angel of Chrstkind on the
Rpmost branch, with a tinsel star al the
~ OF SIAN like a pAntomime fairy, and
llae uee teIonSs TO 4 very orthodox fam
uele IS usually al its 100. u small toy
Eoap representing the Savior's birth in
ne Stable at Bethlehem. The tree repre-
si'ed. though grown from heaaher root,
10 doub, stu the taneoaum which from
vsfmsny has become naturaiized in Amer
France and England.
ine lights on the tree are said to be of
sNlsn origin. In the ninth month OF the
.sN.sh year, corresponding nearly to our
ssenpes, and on the twenty fifth day,
W Jews celebrated the feast OF dedication
mat day by Anbiochus; il was rededi-
aled by Judas Maccabeus. and then, ac-
@e'nS to uhe Jewish legend, sufficient oil
- lound in the temple 10 last for the
N'sa'branched cand.estick for seven days,
~ u Would have aiken seven days to pre-
NY new OIL. Accordingly phs Jcxs were
WI on the twenty fifth OF Kisleu in
uosy mouse 10 Aght candle, on the next
=, TWO. and so on till on the seventh and
~ ~ Gay OF the feast seven candles twin
~ III every house. Ii Is not easy 10 fix
~ Gact date OF the nativity. but It field
-sks probably on the lasx day OF k9sleu
.sa every Jewish house in Bethlehem
~ Jerusalem WAS twinkling with lights.
sr ~ worthy OF nofce that the German
s sslae FOR Christmas Is Weihnacht, the
asnt Of Dedication, as though it we're as
waited with this feast. The Greeks also
~ christmas the feast OF lights, and, In
~ 49, ms WIS also the name given to the
-'suoh festival. Chanuka- by the Jews.
Origin Of santa Clnua.
0Aa'a Csaus Is Of German origin. This
uue II only because that is the Dutch
S4le Tor 81, Nicholas. That he ID an old
- Is because in the ancient pagan feas;s
~storauon of the decay OF the old year
:. 'ae hi tn OF the new an old man played
T'neiral part. Among the Greeks and
SS'pahs II was Saturn. the father of all
~ tOas, and among the Germans !, was
No.. VINO was long bearded and white
Anns me uacit on OF hoary age is APP
~, ss,ste Tor representation of the dying
4" ~ was too strong to be driven away by
=. .ss lea ure OF the Christ child. which
49, 'ssture OF the early caursh obsery-
~ ihal the saint Is ST. Nicholas Is
~. a.. Ae faet that chat venerable person.
49, vast day was celebrated al about
~. NtSa' ST. Nicholas was a bishop OF
s,,r VINO fiourished early in the Fourth
a. He is the patron saint OF chill
q, =. sau schoolhoye. and hence Il was nat
a. ~ he should be part Of ceieAra-
~, "aeh the children received gifts and
III 'hey were allowed TO be heard As
d, ~ praesce OF making presents on that
vi islsu a ewes its origin TO gen.
e,,sssa 10 carry Into practice the Biblical
ssssscste, Peace on earth; good viii 10
"a 4, first the great lords ma,e pres
d., y 'aelr chalmers, aud the season WAS
r. ~ ny universal charity. BY degrees
mn slee 81 Christmas giving spread
hss.,ow everybody gives their friends
~
~ sfetal Church Services,
Eer.h s,'Nees al the Firrt PRESBYTERIAN
|Rc- I, osp' vii all be In accord witt to
n, sa- se'epsatioa Of the Christmas time.
"a, nn' BY h pastor. morning and
NJ aga the music for 70 h services have
~ enyed for this spac'al occasion.
knIer programme VIII be, Organ
hns horui OF Angels" bv SEQ sou
|hps ssthem, Cam or the Listenins
- 49, and mae quar,e'ts by Parks;
AM There NM she,heras." suag
~ ~ Of the music,
elrrs nts services at the Sacred Heart |
|kxns. eofner OF Psccr avrnue AID San
70 & MI b. - c'lo y Frs hIss MAS
4 sermon by Rev. Father Robert. ,
~, a NJ; second mass BY Rev.
eArouture e TN q. -; th1sa /