Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1912-12-24
Tomorrow will be Christmas Day!


From every indication the elements
will aid Santa Claus to make the day
lone of the most glorious i'll the his
tory of Christmas festivals in Santa
Fe.
Wreaths of green in the windows
and over the doors; the ever returning
Chris tmas tree in corner OF the
room with tiny tapers awaiting the
match; the mountains of packages of
all sizes stacked up in postoffice and
express rooms; the rush to and from
stores and the general look Of ex-
rectancy on the faces of givers and
sift-receivers-all of these features
indicate the approach of the great
event in the history of eevry human
life.
Whether one receives gifts of price.
less pearls or shining diamonds or
finds ones pulse quickened by the
return home of dearly loved ones, no
Santa Fean or resident OF New Mexico
will have such joyous Christmas as
Governor William c. Mcdonald who
today gave freedom to four young
men. three in the Reform School and
one in the state penitentiary. If hap
piness comes in making others happy
the chief executive of every state and
nation is to be envied on the eve OF
Christmas day when it is in his power
to give to human beings the greatest
known blessing of this land freedom.
II is, perhaps, needless to say that
these four men will spend the hap
piest Christmas day in their lives,
breathing once again the pure ozone
and basking in the sunshine OF high
attitudes.
WHAT is CHRISTMAS.
The feast tomorrow was originally
called 'Cristes masse.' meaning the
mass or church-festival of Christ. OF
course, the feast as understood by
Christians today is to commemorate
the birth of Christ in the stable at
Bethlehem But authorities declare
that the sancity of this season was
recognized in times long antecedent
far back as 273 years before Christ the
Romans observed winter solstics
festival in connection with the wor-
ship of the sun-god Mithra
The Christmas season, however, has
become not only sacred festival from
a religious point of view, but one foc
the exchange of gifts and the sending
of Christmas cards bearing merry
greetings.
IN THE CHURCHES.
The day will be ushered in with
prayer or laughter, according to the
religious convictions of the celebrant
Throughout the Catholic world there
vill be a midnight mass. In Santa Fe
this mass will be celebrated at the
Cathedral with His Grace. Archbishop
Pitaval pontificating and Monsignor
Fourchegu assisting with several
priests. Moisignor dc Becker, OF
I.ouvain. Belgium, will preach in Eng
lish. At Guadalupe church Father
Besset will celebrate the midnight
mass. At both services there will be
special music by the choir. Preceding
the services at the Cathedral will
be an interesting service to bless
statues, with several we'll known
Santa Feans as sponsors. Monsignor
Fourchegu will conduct this service
as rector of the Cathedral.
IN OTHER CHURCHES.
In other churches the day will be
ushered in with Christmas tree func-
tions to bring joy to the youngsters.
At st. Johns Methodist Episcopal
church Clarence Bowlds will ofiiciate
as Uncle Sam and very fine look
ing Santa Claus will come down from
neighboring mountain. The affair
begins at 80 p. m. In some of the
churches celebrations will be held in
adjoining halls this afternoon or even
ing.
At THE SCHOOLS.
As the public school are closed for
-. Christmas vacations there will be
\, re festivities. At the Convent