The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1906-12-27

With Chinese characters are presented
to the Christian host, and after the
general exchange of cOurtesies, John
Chinaman returns home to pay his
debts and prepare for his own Christ
mas and New Years festival which
comes "a few weeks later, when all
China resounds to the fre-cracker.
The Russians carry Christmas more
than half way around the world-trOm
Behring Straits to the German frontier.
1t is not hilarious celebration. for
their are 9OOO0,OO0 peasants to receive
presents from few thousand proprie-
tors. They gather Christmas morning |
before the great house of the overload |
and with bowed heads stolidly await
his coming forth to distribute in ST.
lence few simple presents. Easter
is the day when all Russia goes mad.
Christmas is not set in a winter scene
everywhere. In India the day is cele-
brated by the white residents in pic
nicking under the trees, while the
native servants operate pOnderOus fans.
In Australia, Christmas Day falls dur
ing the hottest period of the year.
Horse racing takes the place of foot
Dall, and there is yachting instead OF
ice boating.
1t is but natural to expect that the
Jews would celebrate their Christmas
in advance of the Christians. In Box
hara, the first Jewish Christmas festiv-
tiles begin with the "Feast of Taber-
nacles," which is celebrated at the end
Of the year. Perhaps in this feast
originated the idea of the Christmas
7 Tree, for from time immemorial it has
been the custom to gather leafy boughs
from which open booths are made and
in these live the Jews until their
: christmas" season is over. 1t is the
} Oldest celebration of the "Y ears end"
of which we have any authentic record.
, The dawn of Christmas has passed
almost half way around the world be-
fore it touches the spot where Christ
was born.
Shepherds still watch their flocks by
night during the Christmas season
around Bethlehem. 1t is the most
Z peaceful scene in all the Holy Land.
D Yearly they watch the procession of
Q pilgrims that wends its way from the
t Church of the Holy Sepulchre thru the
J. Via DolOrosa, out thru St. Stephens
9 Gate, where the martyr was stoned to
o death, and across the plains to Bethle.
g hem. All night long the footsore
t travellers, who have gathered from
}, every part of the world, may be seen
! trudging by starlight toward the little
e village of Bethlehem. Thousands &C
singly, other thousands in professions
with emblems and banners. The Rus
SLAMS carry their sacred pictures before
them and anathematiZe the Romans
who bear alOft their sacred images
The Copts appear in gorgeous rituals
q tic array, while the Abyssinians SCI
i. forth from their humble settlement be
n hind the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
g in the dark robes that distinguish them
70 All meet at the gates of Bethlehem
J. where special guard of Mohammedal
rs soldiers is in waiting with musket
J. loaded, to keep order at the midnigh
~ mass held over the spot where Chris
!" was born.
70 Escorted by infidel soldiers, the Greel
"a Catholics approach the Church of tn
s. Nativity and are protected during
"a their devotions; the pilgrims of al
,e sects are treated with equal considera
re- ton at this shrine, which is the common
ot property of all who regard it as thei
w own.
,e In Syria the native Christians ar
apt to celebrate Christmas indoors, blu
g. In Greece, recently escaped from Turk
he ish rule, the day is celebrated wit
at song and dance.
Is In Italy either bells or bombs call th
ut devout to early service. Many beaut
st full customs prevail turnout the Ian
We with regard to the managers that al
a. built everywhere for the Holy Child.
~ About Naples, at Christmas time, tn
tie peasants come down from the moul
be tains and go from door to door askin
,e- aims. At each house they are receive
sll and invited to play weird music upo
az their homely instruments before Il