The commonwealth., 1910-12-22

The territory of the globe is Chris
tian, and but a prOportiOnate number
)f it's inhabitants celebrate Christmas
Yet even in this comparatively small
aumber of people there are surprising
ly diverse methods of celebrating the
great day. OF course, all countries that
haYe Christmas have a similar spir-
itual celebratiOn-thanks and praise
and worship to God for the birth of his
only son in the manger at Bethlehem.
But the diversity of celebration along
material lines and the great variety
of Christmas customs in other lands
are surprising, indeed. Even between
| countries so closely allied as the
United States and England the differ
| enCe is marked.
OF all places on Christmas, surely
the Holy Land-the birthplace of the
Christ child-is paramount in interest.
And, naturally, the celebration Of the
people of that land centers in Beth
lenem, the humble little village where
the shepherds found the babe wrap-
ped in swaddling clothes and lying in
a manger." On Christmas eve the
Christians of Jerusalem and from all
over Palestine and visitors from other
lands flock to Bethlehem tC witness
the gorgeous ceremonial in the RomaL
Catholic chapel in the Church of the
Nativity
One by one, and in groups they
come, with their caravans of camels
or on foot down the road from Jeru-
salem to bethlehem, leading through
stony, rolling plains with here and
there ar olive grove or an orchard.
Under the wonderful radiance of an
through the crooked streets of the
quaint little town to the market place,
Opposite the church.
The scene is, indeed, a festive one.
Christians from all the countries of
the East are congregated here in gala
attire. Vendors of sacred relics are
selling their crosses and pictures in
olive wood, and small boys, dressed
in many-colored garments, red fezes
and bright red shoes, are darting
hither and thither in the crowd in
wild exuberance of boyish spirits.
Sheep are being killed by family
groups for their evening meal after
the ceremonies in the church. The
mothers of Bethlehem, with their
| large lustrous eyes and brilliant COM
plexions, are making merry with their
children. There is babel of many
voices and great running to and fro.
The door of the church opens and
the crowd presses in. The Church of
the Nativity belongs to the Latins, the
Greeks and the Armenians, each sect
having it's own convent adjoining.
The Latins are holding their service
now, the Armenians later and the
Greeks 10 days afterward. The en-
trance is through a small door in a
high stone wall, and one has to stOop
as he enters-thus insuring bowling to
the crucif1x opposite.
The building is believed to be the
eldest monument of Christian archi-
lecture extant, the basilica erected by
St. Helena in 327 A. D. The services
are held in an adjoining building and
the worshippers are all seated on the
marble floor The priests and monks
enter in solemn procession to the
chant of the grand TIE Deum. The
bishops and archbishops follow, In
gorgeous robes richly embroidered In
gold and silver. PaeOnS of worship
peal forth from the grand old organ
At midnight the music grows softer
and then there comes a pause. The
silence is complete, except for the
peal of the Christmas chimes outside
in the village. Suddenly, as though
by an unseen hand, the curtain above
The chancel arch is drawn aside, re
vealing a miniature cradle holding an
image of the babe. From the organ
and the choir bursts forth, in glad
triumphant cadence. the ringing
strains of the Gloria in Excelsis.'
The little cradle is lowered and the
'Bambino" reverently raised. The
worshippers PROSTATE themselves
upon the ground.
The sacred images are then borne
at the head of the procession to the
chapel of the manger. Priests
monks and congregation, all carry
lighted wax tapers and move In sol
emn cadence with the chant. The
Grotto of the Nativity is reached
Once a subterranean vault. 1t has
been converted into a chapel linec
and floored with marble. Directly
over the manger is an altar profusely
decorated in gold and silver and silk
en- tapestries. Incense is burning
fragrantly, and lamps that are never
allowed to go out cast their dim radi
ance over the crowd. A large star o
brass marks the spot where Chris
was born and bears the inscription II
Latin. Here Jesus Christ was born O
the Virgin Mary"
The little manger. with It's wax fig
ure of the Christ child, is devoutly
laid upon the altar 1t rests there fo1
the remainder of the week, symbo
of alteration for the multitude. From
chapel to chapel, the long procession
slowly wends it's way, with Its chants
and lighted tapers. The services arr
continued nearly all night long OF
this spot where first came to th'
faithful shepherds the message o
GLORY to God in the Highest, and OF
Earth, Peace, Good Will Towar'
Men,"
From Palestine to France of tn