The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-23


E/ growth OF the older Nule festival
~ which was celebrated by the North
crn peoples. Or the Satrrnalla was by the
Romans. 20 mark their joy al the
turn a. the year. as indicated by the
occurrence of the winter solsace. Thus
the Christmast,de has from the earliest
time been associated with frost aud
snow. green holly and bright nres.
Indeed. a blazing log was On essen
ual feature OF the ancient Yu'e cero-
monies Now. however. Christmas "a
observed 81 many torrti c'imes where
luudredwcight 81 ice would BE a gift IL
r. king. in countries hat know no
wigter and 30 places where green IS least
in evidence OF all the colors. indeed
The holiday. which fhe Germans call
Welhnachtsfest. the SDaniards. Natfvl-
dad. The French. Noel and the Italians.
Natalie. Is kept ia some sort o. fashion
oa every spot OF the earth. for every
whore may be found az least a small
knot a. CHRISTIANS. Bot these are often
proseiyfes. we1ned from the worship Of
strange gods. but secretly cherlshing
much OF the.- native superstition. The
converted Hindu s. spt 10 Introduce
lcayeu OF the Kali or Vishnu ritual into
the Christmas pooia The Christian KAT
nr's celebration Of our great religious
holiday wifi not be entirely free Of
faint OF voodooism. The Filipino cannot
wholly divorce the ancient anlto rogat ion
from his homage 90 the christ.
Let Us briefly review Uncle Sans ex-
teusive family aud tie diverslacd man
ucr ln which IT'S scattered members will
spend Christmas day. Here at home
something OK a change IS taking place In
Cur manner OF accepting the holiday-or
at least thar Is true Of our Northern
states where Christians Is becoming year
~ .ess Of a festival, whilst. as in France.
more attention IS paid 20 the celebration
o. New Years Day We are coming to
look upon the former as exclusively a
chil-- ems holiday, and even 10 that char
acte- SO IS losing some OF its former I'm
portance. Santa Clans IS suu counte-
nanced because the youngsters would
not consent 10 his dismissal, but the
grownups 81 the present materialistic
generation do not take the pains that
their fathers did 20 make his visits spec
tacular. No doubt. this may be IN
large measure accounted for by the fact
that the modern builder makes no pro-
vision for the old gentleman's entrance
by the traditional route. and we should
AAlu4su u4tA Win q punch or skeleton
keys and a Jimmy" in order 10 make
the hoary myth consistent with existing
conditions. OF course, the Christmas tree
IS doomed in this hat-dwelling age, IN
less we can be satisfied to foist upon
our little ones the dinky counterfeits that
seem 70 mock the memories OF cur child
hood. In our Southern states the cele-
bration OF Christmas has always been
marked nV e
hnce and is stin characterized By whole
souIed joyiality. There the stage setting
for Kris Kringle's acrobatic performance
Is seldom wanting. The Christmas tree
IS as much an essential feature OF the
festivities as ever. The day IS ushered
In with the footing OF horns and its ex-
piring hours are enlivened by the liberal
explosion Of fireworks. The oid-fashioned
eggnogg and the generous yulelog are
cherished accessories OF the Southern
Christmas To he sure. the plantation
Christmas. with It's open-handed hospital
tty 10 poor neighbor and servitOr. has
disappeared. but its CHEEKY spirit OF good
Fellowship survives throughout the South
land.
Cuba Is rot yet a member OF Uncle
BANS family. though she is destined ere
long 10 add her lone star to the galaxy
hat ornaments our flag. We are, how
ever, fathering the restless young re-
public temporarily. and this Christmas
It least, the Cubans will spend under the
lgls Of the Stars and Stripes. As guests
y our household we will accord them
precedence.
Havana IS the center OF the social life
II the island. and there the residents from
vi quarters will gather ia large numbers
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