The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1910-12-13

w W is celebrating, and that as
long as the human family
mas been on earth it has made
merry at a midwinter feast. The lit.
tie children in your house or mine,
ana the little children across the
street, are just like other little chill.
dren in Russia, in Norway, in France
ana In Italy, or the German Father
land who have made ready for their
christmas trees when the winters sun
has set and the Christina stars are
shining over head
At the time that the Holy Babe lay
IN the manager in Bethlehem to be the
christmas Babe for the Christian
world the Romans we're celebrating
thelr Saturnalia and trimming willow
Wands, as we trim Christmas trees, of
course with difference. But lust the
same they were celebrating the mid.
winter festival. They danced and
sang, gave gifts, and hung wreatbs
Wnlle across the Alps to the north the
Wild Huntsman was chasing through
the woods to be the terror of all
naughty children.
The Christmas tree honored ha
cause it was evergreen gained fresh
honors when adorned with tapers,
The evergreen was eternal, and the
lights shed glory around How iollv
Is the raising of the Christmas treer
How the children love to talk about
1t before hand and to trim it, or to get
the gifts from its overladen boughs,
In Germany the whole household
goes to church. In many villages the
church is left in darkness and the
worshipers carry lighted candles. com.
ing in one by one. until it is a bril-
liant sight. When the season is over
the old hymns are sung. Els list der
Tag des Herrn," and Christmas greet.
ings are heard on every side.
The Julafred, or pecce of Christmas
is publicly proclaimed in Sweden and
Norway. The churches are decorated
and the children are the first to enter
in the gray of the early morning No
ole is forgotten. The poor are re-
membered with food and clothing, and
best of all the little brothers of the
air, the birds, have tree hung with
a sheaf of wheat for Christmas cheer.
IN Holland feasting prevails as it
does everywhere. But the children
set out their wooden shoes for gifts.
and not one is forgotten The prac-
tice of feeding pets and birds is gen
eral.
In Servia and in Bulgaria no one
crosses a strange threshold if it can
be avoided. Friends rejoice together,
the little children dance and sing and
gifts are exchanged. An ancient cere-
mony has to be performed by the
head of every household Before
mouthful Of food is eaten early in the
morning, corn is placed in a stocking
and the chief of the family sprinkles
a little before the householder, saying
Christ is BORN" to which one Of the
family replies: He is born indeed.
Then the house-father has to wish"
and, advancing to the burning logs on
the hearth, he strikes them until the
sparks fly upward, with good wish
for the horses, another for the cat
ties, the calves, and the goats and so
on through the entire band Of stock
on the farm, concluding with special
prayer and an extra blow upon the
embers of the logs for plentiful har.
vest In this manner the gods of ma.
ture are appeased. Then the ashes
containing the wish" are collected
and buried secretly. AS for the Yule
logs, they are not permitted to burn
entirely away, but the fire being ex-
tinguished the burnt ends are placed
in the clefts of fruit trees SO as to
ensure a bountiful crop.
In out of the way corners of the
world, the traveller has met process
sions going about on Christmas eve
giving gifts to the earth, to the stream,
to fruit trees, and the priest with
censor of incense invoking blessings
on the harvests which are to come
when the winter is over
The receiving of gifts seems to be
the passing of a later day. At Lyons
In France the Foundlings Home has
a beautiful custom. A handsome era