The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1910-12-29

155ElMzD HE twenty-ifth of Decem-
MSsA Der, rather the week about
KdM that time has been cele-
NW#ElX brated for many ages with
rejoicing. Long before the
Christian era the pa
gan astronomers decided that these
were the shortest days before the sun
returned to northern lands to bring
another spring and seed time and har-
vest. The dreary winter was at its
worst, and the coming days, would
have longer hours of light and sun
shine and the reawakening of ma
ture. Therefore sing and be joyful
The Egyptians held festival in honor
OF the birth Of their god Horus The
Romans called it "the birthday Of the
invincible sun" and dedicated 1t to
Bacchus, rejoicing with him that the
sun was about to return and revivify
the vineyards. The Persians held a
festical of uncommon splendor as the
birthday of Mithras, the mediator, a
spirit of the sun. In the north coun-
try among the worshipers of Odin 1t
was nature festival Of riotous feast
Ing, because the fast Of winter was
approaching its end. 1t has been a
time of universal celebration accord
Ing to ancient written history since
the beginning, and obscure tribes in
remote nations have legends of their
own about what we call Christmas.
tide the feast Of peace and good will.
AS Christianity brought its blessings
to follow the good of past religions. it
seems only right that the birth OF
Christ should come at time of gen
eral rejoicing 1t made 1t easier for
the pagans to turn to the Saviour of
Light, at time when the returning
sunshine in the skies was symbolical
Of the feeling Of brotherly kindness
which was taught in the love of lit
tie child. And so as early as the sec
ond century the church celebrated
Christmas day when the heather were
honoring their gods.
The Christmas celebration, as we
know it, is but a reincarnation of the
Yuletide of the Anglo Saxon tribes.
Singing is proper way to manifest
Joy. 1t delights the singer and gives
pleasure to others. The churchly car
OILS were not enough for the hearty
feeling. The pagan feasting remains.
And so with that divine old carol.
"Adeste Fidelis," are convivial songs.
Come hither, ye faithful;
Triumphantly sing;
Come, see the manger,
Our Saviour and King!
To Bethlehem hasten,
With joyous accord!
oh, come We, come hither,
To worship the Lord!
The contrast lies in "A Carole
Bringing in Ye Bore's Heed"
Capri apri defero,
Reddens laudes domino.
The Bore's head in hand bring /,
With garlands gay and rosemary;
And pray you all sing merely,
Outs estils in convivio.
The church of the early days had
some of the wisdom Of modern social
service. It entertained its parishion-
ers in worldly way as well as In
stilled religious doctrine. The mys-
terry, miracle plays and mummeries
enacted under the direction Of the
clergy rehearsed the scene in the
stable These plays gave rise to
number of legendary carols. The
Cherry Tree Carol" was popular in
London in the last century. It related
the story Of the Virgin begging Joseph
to pluck some cherries for her, and
when he rufusing, the unborn babe
speaks and tells his mother to reach
out her hand and the tree will bow
before her, and the carol goes on to
say:
Then bespake Joseph,
have done Mary wrong" etc.
Another carol Of this time is full Of
beautiful imagery.
Gas Joseph was a-walking,
He heard an angel sing
The night shall be born,
Our heavenly king;
He neither shall be born
In house nor in hall,
Nor in the place OF Paradise.
But in an ox's STALL" etc.
This is in the same spirit as our ia
| miliar:
while shepherds watched their focks
by night
All seated on the ground,
The angel Of the Lord came down
And glory ahone around