Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1907-12-15

scrambIe for the cross entails some rough action. and disputes arise which are entirely out of place in connection with a Christmas cere- mony
 Among the Christmas eve customs 1 none are more interesting than those of Holland. In all the towns and villages at the midnight hour men in varied costumes meet in the ! principals squares chanting "Gloria in Excelsis." Proud is the man se- lected by vote to be "star-bearer. ;" A large star is fixed on a pole. This 1 star is symbolical of the star that guided the Magi to Bethlehem. The ] effect of it's light in the dark and winding streets, at the head of l long procession of men, slowly marching to the music of the Gloria in Excelsis is deeply impressive. A 1 supper is served after the parade is l ended, and thus Christmas day be- gins Exchanging calls and good wishes is the chief Christmas GUS 1 tom in Norway. Hospitality is warm ly extended to all corners, who are served refreshments from a bounti- fully spread table. The kind-heart- NorWegians remember to give the birds cause far merry Christmas, hanging to the ridge pole a sheaf of wheat or corn for their Christ mas dinner. The joyful caroling of the grateful songsters sladdens Christmas day.
 Long before Holy Night the Mex jeans, young and old, are preparing for the Christmas season. First comes the rehearsals and perform ance of the 'Pastroes,' sometimes called Mexican Passion Play Christ mas in Mexico lasts off week, and is incongrously marked by brutal sports, gambling and revels.
 For a weird and composite Christ mas festival we ay look to South America, where the. half Indians and half Spanish have characteristic celebration On "Noche Buena' (good night) as Christmas eve is called, the active hustle of prepara- tions prevails There is the Christ mas market characteristic of all lands; trade is very lively until long after midnight. The din of the throngs on the street is augmented by the advent of the Christmas waits" by the cOlored people in fam tastc disguise chanting rude melo dies to the accompaniment of casta- nets and guitars, and followed by files of Indian women, their black hair streaming, playing flutes and harps and keeping time with long slender wands huttering with rib DOns
 Roast beef and plum pudding re-
 
 variable concomitants of Christmas in Australia, where the sumner seq son is at it's full height in late De- cember. Christmas decorations are l wonderfully fine. Streets and houses are beautifully adorned with | their native vegetation-palm branches, gigantic ferns, Australian , holly, mistletoe and the dainty Christmas bush
 To the native Filipino Christmas | is largely religious ceremony. All over the island Christmas bells ring out for hours. A grand mass is eel | ebrated in the early morning The church is profusely decorated with 1 palms and fragrant flowers Great Wreaths and chains of cut flowers are carried to the churches by the | children. who sing songs and parade through the streets, a Filipino band | leoding the procession. Floats and
 
 and evening are spent at entertain ments chiefly in dancing and musi- cal diversions.
 The celebration of Christmas in 1 Spain is much the same now as it has been for centuries. It's customs and ceremonies are those of the Lat in church. Curious performances of mystery plays occur at Christmas time in Spain. The game of hiding shoes and slippers is substituted for the Christmas tree and the hang ing Of stockings by the Spanish chil. dren wnose chief toys are the color ed clay models of the Christ child ill the manager, common to Italy. France and Germany.
 In France, where the Christmas tree Is becoming popular, the d0mi-