Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1910-12-15

~5~&~T rejoicing. Long before tne
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 a festival in honor
OF the birth of their god Horus. The
Romans called it the birthday of the
lnVincible sum-" and dedicated 1t to
bacchus, rejoicing with him that the
sun was about to return and revivify
the vineyards. The Persians held q
iestlcal 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 it's blessings
to follow the good of past religions 1t
seems only right that the birth of
Christ should come at a time of gen.
erai rejoicing. 1t made It easier for
the paEans to turn to the Saviour OF
Llgnt, at time when the returning
sunshine In the skies was symbolical
OF the feeling of brotherly kindness
winch was taught in the love of lit
tie child. And so as early as the sec.
ono century the church celebrated
Christmas day when the heather were
honoring their gods.
The Christmas celebration as we
know 1t, is but a reincarnation of the
Yuletide of the Anglo Saxon tribes
singing Is a 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 Ffdelis," 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 ye, come hither.
To worship the Lord!
The contrast lies in a Carole
Bringing in Ye Bore's Heed"
Capri apri delero.
Reddeus laudes domino
The Bore's head In hand bring |.
With garlands gay and rosemary:
And | pray you all sing merely.
Quis estils in conyiyio
The church OF the early days had
some of the wisdom OF modern social
service. IL entertained its parishlon
eTs In worldly way as Well as In.
stilled religious doctrine The mys.
terry. miracle plays and mummeries
enacted under the direction Of the
cleggy rohearsed the scene In the
stable. These plays gave rise 20 a
number OF legendary carols. The
Cherry Tree Carol was popular In
London Ia the last century Il related
the story % the Virgin begging Joseph
20 pluck some cherries for her. and
when he rufuslng the unborn babe
speaks and tells his mother 10 reach
out her hand and tho tree will bow
before her, and the carol goes on 10
say,
Then bospake Joseph.
have done Mary wrong." etc
Another carol af this time "a fun OF
beautiful Imagery
GAS Joseph Hns a.walklug,
lie heard an angel sing
The night atalI Dee born.
our hoa,only king.
lle neither shall be hon
lu house nor iu hall.
Nor iu the plnce of Paradise.
liut iu au 0Ns stall rtc.
This s iu the same spirit as our "a.
mlHar
HhI.a shepherds watched their a1eka
uF UiHHt
hI seated .u Che srumd.
The angel aI che lord raus doan
aud glory HHHa. 4r..ft