The San Francisco call., 1910-12-25
OLD e. VEW
CHRISTMAS
CUSTOMS
By Marion r. Dewey

O rightly regarded as the most signln-
cant Easter and Christmas
ell the churches
story Christmas is universally known
that hestates to repeat it
for fear arrn beauty of the original
narrative story of the observance of
Christmas quite thing, however. and be
approached mundane spirit We take part in the
honored customs which so Intimately associated
without stopping consider whether they
@ Ilao 1l NJ M ] - iynseoo1ce tTap tLey now have We
ever had any oher lnah rnes Low ste
stop think why do these things (and IT
is more than likely that we dont why 1t is just the Christ
seem such an integral part Of the festival are inexfrcaby
tangled with Roman Scandinavian German and Celtic
Christmas when investigate it. is found to be
Of their old significance and adapted to the
The observer halts before the contemplation of the
countless variety Of customs associated with Christmas in
scribe them all would III good sized book can only
refer briefly here to of the most prominent of them
might have desired to Danish all practices from the
part usages irnpos.
was better to let the people follow theirs bent along cer
tain lines rather than to antagonize them by insisting too
heathenish rites eradicated and
tionsble features and Infused with new spirit
ind any for 200 or 500 Years after the birth of Christ
and as the event had occurred in such an humble fashion
began to interest themselves in keeping the anniversary
has claimed the honor of the nativity thing is
in Judea, California is quite unlikely
by night under those conditions
nativity Egypt about 200 A D. when May 20
vas vas re aare nenroneo FROM tnat time forvard claims
were aoe ior various dates January and December 20
being the most in favor up to the time of Chrysosom in
This date was not chosen entirely without The
Rome.
sgsrda & 5h eve even greater signoan9e The @ sun as the
object Of worship and alteration from the times
sostice marking the power
rejoicing among peoples either worshiped
the sun directly who regarded it as manifestation of
Of their detes The II days between December 25 and
Teutonc who believed that that influence
than at ny oher Nothing could be more natural sr
fore than that these peoples turning to Christianity
Saviour on the earth at the same time of year they had
sgnsnce Of the two events is parallel; the one heralds
Of the human from the powers
1t has been pointed that early period of
retain Of the old The observance
festivals particular saturnalia.
It originally only (the 17th),
Cisndns 70 seven The festival was onened bv nbIic
rhce before the temple OF followed
lie banquet in which all classes participated this
time al the people seemed to mad the competes lib
making. Crowds through
ing TO saturnela form Of greeting similar to the mod
schools and law
adjourned; criminal executed pro-
claimed The slaves enjoyed equality with their
who them a.
presents and attending There
trace the particular significance of Christmas
'niiq5e9 l qo|a 9p 10 me present at time % -.
has preserved related candles, images
Candles were always in evidence this time
Images made either Of clay dough
today always make practice of baking quantities
all kinds Of Christmas cakes which important
indispensable s adjunct to the occasion
has the tradition of ages back of it. AS far back history
people have been in the habit using
however is survival from the ancient
navans TO whom object of particular
at all times and especially when It
found growing on this tree the Druids
lieved to possess magic qualities power.
s potent but only in the matter of comforting privileges
The hrst historic mention of Christmas tree made
In srasburg in 1905 bu the Danes farther back
Ansgar first preached CHRISTIANITY to the Danes
wherein is told how the Lord his three
tree They sought that high hope
and wide as love, and that
every bough and they finally found n basam fir.
Beliefs which have been cherished generally
die hard and the church realizing this.
practices into old pagan
ism such were the miracle plays dramatic
ons OF early events in christs e which received
attention during the middle
popularity throughout Europe particularly Eng
land where in villages troops
singing carols for several nights before Christmas.
Similarly in of the country districts n
children make the of village carrying
cradle their backs and singing carols for
Santa Claus is familiar figure in France
m sqn % us m There & nend Of hanging up their stockings to
place on Christmas eve so that the chrischd leave
In north Germany however it is not the cbristcbrd
who gives the presents but his servant Knecht Ruprech
himself in robe and high buskns mask and an
enormous wig. SO attred he
and announces that he is by the Chrstch
gifts the children The him cere-
moniousy and he Inquiries whether each child
good ao II the answer Is IN the affirmative the child
ceves his but If Knecht Ruprecht gives
stick with the advice often.
Belgium children go carrying paper stars
with lighted candle IN the center from Christmas to Epiph