Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-21
History Of the
Christmas rec

In the thousan ds Of hUnes in which the
Christmas tree will soon burst into bloom,
IT, may be of interest to *loW that the
American scion springs from stock or
unknown antiquity, indigenous 20 Ger
many. the existence or which may De
traced with certainty to the dawn OF the
sixteenth century. With the German. In
deed, It is not only an object OF pride
as the product OF his native soil. but
typ, OF his faith, and a means by which
he instils his creed into the minds OF his
children; and any alteration in its ar
rangement is regarded both as tamper-
Ing with national tradition. and q desc
Grafton OF sacred observance. Un"fll-
ing to forego or even abbreviate the plea
sure of preparing for 1t, he d1scards as
much as possible the tinsel ornaments
of commerce, the older members OF the
household gliding and silyering with their
own hands the nuts and fruits with
which it is to be laden.
AS symbolizing the unchangIng love OF,
God-"the same yesterday, to-day, and
forever''-of which the anniversary Itself
is the most convincing proof, he adopts
the evergreen for his purpose. Procur-
ing a symmetrical fir or holly, he fixes it
fr1nly in the midst Of a table, occupying
the centre Of the principal apartment OF
the dwelling. Above II is suspended the
figure Of an angel. with outstretched
wings, the bearer of glad tidngs OF great
joy" From the boughs hang the gut
terins ornaments. Stimulating gold and
precious stones, types Of the ''glores and
excellenctes revealed in the Son OF Man"
while from every twig shine cleaning
tapers, emblematic Of Him as "the light
OF the world
Santa Claus. the patron saint OF Amer
lean children, has no existence in Ger
many The gifts are bestowed by KRIS
kringle, e corruption Of Christ kindlein
or the infant Christ, from whom coneth
every good and perfect gift They are
not suspended from the tree, but are
placed on the table to signify that in
comforting upon us His bounties. our
Savior in no way di,ainishas His own stc-
rious beauty.
The celebration occurs On Christmas
Eve, when standing beneath the tree.
German parents direct the attention OF
their children to faults which they have
observed in then, during the year, earn
estly and solemnly calling upon them tor
amendment. and at the same time com
mending them for any good conduct
which they may have exhibited.
In Germany the tree Is never denudeC
in the presence OF the children. It re-
mains intact from Christmas to New
Years Eve, when 1t is privately borne
away by the older members OF the "a mily.
Although - "e.S ~ i54tAAitS et-'1-oA ~
the FatheTland. it has sent up shoots IN
all OF the German provinces in the north
OF Europe; and after the marriage OF
Queen Victoria to Prince Albert OF Sake
Coburg-Gotha, was introduced into Eng
land.
It's first appearance IN France was on
the Christmas anniversary after the ar
rival at Fontairbleau OF the Princess
Helena, OF Mecklenburg-Schwerin. tbs
pride OF the Duke Of Orleans, when Queen
Amelia. the wife Of Louis Philippe,
anxious that her daughter-in-law should
be deprived OF none OF the pleasures
which she enjoyed In her own country.
added to the usual festivities OF the royal
household, her own national celebration.
Through the agency OF the German set
tiers IN America, the emblematic tree
has been implanted In the soil OF our own
country. IN the removal It has unhappiIy