The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-12-21
A BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS CEREMONY.


hurry upon their entrance. For there,
in one corner of the room, has been
built an artificial little barn, decorated
with ivy and other evergreens, and
Illuminated with many candles. And
in this little barn, in little manger,
lies waxen image of the beloved
"Kriskindle" (the Baby Savior),
surrounded by Mary and Joseph, the
Wise Men of the East, shepherds, COWS,
sheep, horses, etc. To this place the
children hurry. There they fall on
their knees, piously fold their hands,
and commence to sing a verse of an
appropriate Christmas carol; while
the older folks surround them in
large circle. When the verse is ended,
the children pray aloud that the dear
Kriskindle shall love, bless and pro-
tect them, and their parents, relatives,
their fatherland and all mankind. Now
and forevermore! Amen! Then an
other verse is sung; this time joined in
by all present.
Not before this neat, little, religious
ceremony has been duly observed, is
any attention paid to the presents and
to the joyousness of the occasion.
But what an excitement does then
ensuel The shouts of real and feigned
pleasure and surprise, the many ex-
pressions of thanks and love-to the
accompaniment of embraces and
kisses-6ll the air, and pandemonium
is let loose! Nobody is forgotten;
down to the lowest servant. The
children, of course, will examine and
try their new playthings and, if there
are any musical instruments amongst
them, the tunes that follow are not
quite as sweet as those of Mascagni's
beautiful "Intermezzo."
1t deserves special mention that on
this day, above all others, f'Good will
to men" is not mere sentiment, but
a command to all good Germans. Fol
this reason it has become a practice
with all well-to-do families to invite to
; their festival such members of theil
relationship, and other worthy people
who have not got the means or the
opportunity to enjoy Christmas o1
their own. Needless to say that these
people are not forgotten in the distribu
ton of the presents; and they them
, selves, also, give presents, be they eve
:, so little and inexpensive. Do yot
. know, dear reader, how happy you Cal
, make giver by gracious acceptance
of his giftp 1t does not need man.
= words. A warm clasp of the hand; o
a pleasant look, often suffice. An oil
9 dependent of the family, or some on
. else, may present you with gift fo
9 which you have small use, and car
less. But whatever you do, do not re
!, ceive the gift with an expression o
> contempt. What may be small an
o unimportant to you, may have cost tn
giver sacrifice of his savings; o
v much diligent work. Proper consider
y alton for the feelings of others, is on
f of the noblest attributes of true mar
h hood or womanhood.
When the process of presentatio
q has been duly completed, the famil
q and guests withdraw to the diningrool
"a to partake of light, tho elaborat
supper, after which a few hours al
n generally spent in musical and VOC
4 recitals, which end the pleasar
" evening.
2, On Dec. 25th, Christmas prope
Is most people attend church in the for
le noon, and then the regulation Chris
g. mas dinner with its speeches and toas
ts is in order. On this, as on all 9th
" festive occasions, the servants recei'
le extra good meals with appropria
es rations of wine. In Germany, as ever
le where on the continent of EuroI
or Turkey excepted, wine is used at
r good dinners. In fact, wine is co
y sidered a source of enjoyment al
I'D wholesome cheer-not curse-al
ry moderately INDUCED in by all, be tn
BY Protestants, Catholics or Jews; pasto
MS priests, or rsbbis. 1t seems to sgr
ut with the people; for more drunkenne