Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-21

rho greatest feast throughout The
,-,s Is the Observance OF the 25tl, of
r,,e,npcr as the anniversary of the
YIN az Christ Although ;hcologians
,-..,e tlie cxactncss OF this date, the
..s;t Of regarding II IS correct is too
-,.o-spl ever to be altered. 1t was in
-, that the Pagan cInpcrors tried TO
s-,ycnt tic church from honorins the
.#,.ty OF the Messiah. Vain also was
~. puritan condemnation Of Christmas
"a relic OF Popcry," nor was it to be
,,,-rassed by the Blue Laws of Conncc-
,,sT+ THE desire OF all nations had
me and every land lends its customs
=. raIIow;nE The birth OF Him whose
rc-ai5s proclaimed peace and good Will
toward All mankind.
l.. bethlehem, the scene OF the Won
s.-ral nativity. is Christmas fraught
,a.l7 most sacred memories. To this
snf which IS the cradle of Christen-
s.a flock pilgrims from lands far dis
5e-t 10 participate III the celebration Of
,93-lstmSs for the festival Is most i'm
,-nsstve and Interesting. On Christmas
so thousands OF people, headed by
,o-y1af.v Of several hundred young men
,-15 he diErlitavies OF the Roman Catho-
h Greek and Oriental churches. leave
5a-usalern bound for Bethlehem. arriv-
-E there Turkish soldiers are found
,-srdir!- the entrance OF The Church Of
me Nativity. AS soon as the doors are
nfla-a: Tho siirEi0E crowds enter.
z{5rhfn am is brilliant with lights from
vx candles ard olive oil burning in
.errs cf gold and silver. The service
e Most awe Inspiring. The Patriarch in
- caaonicais OF cloth of gold and
,-Hsrea Nitro. the priests in their vest
.-T--s of silk bedecked With pearls and
\ f-,-,iS
WHITE linen trimmed with elegant
,-ras. the guests Of The convent: the
-sae~i-Y4s. and the consuls resident in
Jerusalem: combine in forming a con-
r~eEatfon differing in costumes and coun-
.-ses but with hearts IN perfect unison
vth the season and the place.
rae service is mostly choristal until
,rrfve cInar strokes from the clock
es-d the hour OF the nativity. then fol-
avs perfect silence. The atmosphere -
a7an With incense, and as the seventh
candle Is lighted on the altar. crimson.
r.rtain Is drawn aside. revealing the
image Of on infant. The big bell of the
. convent pcals forth joyfully. announcing
ire advert OF The birth Of Christ, and
r-ios.s. friars, and choristers join IN
singing Gloria in ExcelSis.
The triumphant harmony Of the organ
hfendinc with the musical sounds from
rhepherd's reed commentaries the an
-oltr message: Behold I bring you
GOOD tidinps Of great JOY. which shall be
- all people For unto YOU is born this
sa- IN the city Of David, & Saviour,
7hich is Christ the Lord
fitting climax to this service and
srhict is regarded by the priests as the
most sacred part Of The worship, is the
procession 10 the nlanger, or grotto.
rhere 800 years ago was born the Babe
ST Bethlehem.
HE YULE-TIDE AND MIsTLEToE.
in no land does the season Of Christ
mas mean more 70 the populace than it
soes IN Scandinavia, for the word
'yule" so frequently used anonymously
rsI;h Christmas. Is OF Swedish-Danfsh
origin. meaning 4 sound as OF revelTy
And merrimcTt.
About four weeks before Christmas
Preparations for its celebration begin in
ECandanavia. A cake OF meal is. placed
aut in the snow and q sheaf is put on
sole for the enjoyment of the birds. On
Ehr!stnas-E Eve the candles arc left burn
4ng % show the way to the Yule
rrumpte. the spirit bringing the gifts,
Efl the shoes Of the family are placed
n row to signify the wish that the
aouse may remain harmonious; and next
say the family assembling in the llitch-
IN. each members dips a piece Of bread
IN the ham broth. After the bountitul
Christmas supper is eaten. while games
kre being enjoyed, q knock sounds at
,he door. Opening, one finds group of
merry boys who go from house to house,
carrying q star-shaped lantern and
Elass-tux containing two dolls represent
Ing the Virgin and the Savior. From
Scandinavian legend comes the custom
or using raistletoe for this plant was
dedicated to the goddess Friga and was
tmblematic of love, therefore those pass
Ing under it Were to be kissed. and its
presence caused much nerrimentl SO
that. IS some one has facetiously said:
Eternal vigilance is the price of safe
~ where hangs the 1ntstletoe
THE YULE LOG.
Next 10 Scandinavia, old England
ranks second in the observance OF
Christmas Members Of families wher-
ever scattered try to be home Tor that
occasion and OCCUPY their accustomed
Places at tho festal board,
In the days Of good Queen Bess, haul
ing the yIlle log caused great fun and
passers-by would doff their hats i'll vene-
ration Of the custom. The yule log. gen
tveilJ the root OF an oak tree. furnished
tuel for the Christmas fire, part of tne
log was kept for the next years fire
&C fnis old verse, from a ballad of those
days, explains:
Part must be kept wherewith TO tend
Tho Christmas log nexr yea-.
And where lis safely kept the fend
Can do no mischief there.
The custom of the vule log is a relic
of paranism. II was first lit in honor Of
the san god, but later its meaning was
changed to tipify the light eternal The
English plum pudding ornamented with
spray OF holly and served ablaze
makes an addition to the Christmas din
ner as delicious as it is ornamental.
Formerly in many lands the bears
head was a customary representation Of
pIantv for the Christmas cheer, but the
reelection Of the dinner is governed more
hv the purse and taste Of the individual
lhan the custom OF the country.
SAINT NICHOLAS
Tradition says that St. Nicholas wac
cHce a bishop. and that he furnished por- I
.L.r,ss 70 tllrel. r,nnr IrlaiderlS by nlacinE /