The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1913-12-24

AlAScS I1OW V1u IucSc CuSLON1S OIlS-
mate, and why do we observe them?
Why do we keep Christmas comes
naturally first and happily it is ques
tion that even the tiniest schoolboy
can answer. Christmas celebrates the
birth of Jesus Christ, and it is re-
ligious event celebrated by Protest
ant, Catholic and Greek church all ov-
or the world. Although there is some
diversity in the date upon which it is
celebrated the twenty-fifth of Deem
Der is most generally observed. Some
time about $50 A. D., Pope Julius in
stituted an investigation to ascertain
rs nearly as possible the exact date.
He seemed satisfied from the report
Of his investigation that the day was
very near December 25th and We have
observed the date since that time.
History Of Santa Claus.
Our term Santa Claus seems to have
developed from Saint Nicholas. Saint
Nicholas was the Bishop of Myra. He
lived about 400 and was called the
patron saint of the children. Every
one who knew him loved him and his
good deeds were known far and wide.
1t is said that at one time he
wished very much to financially assist
an old gentleman who was very poor
and foolishly proud. Upon arriving
at the house intent upon his benevo-
lent purpose he saw the object of his
kindness asleep by the hearth. In or
der to surprise the old gentleman the
bishop laboriously climbed to the roof
and cast the bag of money down the
chimney thinking it would fall upon
the hearth. 1t happened, however,
that the money fell into one of the old
gentleman's stockings which his
daughter had hung up to dry. After
that, it is said, that whenever a fam
lily was in want stocking was hung
by the hearth and the good bishop or
some of his kind emissaries never
failed to respond.
Gifts to the poor seem, from the
very earliest bible times. the express
sion OF d thankful heart. We bring
Him gifts when We bring to those who
are in need. 1t seemed natural that
the custom OF giving should develop
from this and the fact that the wise
men gave gifts to the infant Jesus
and because of the gift from God to
the world.
Kissing Under the Mistletoe.
The origin of other Christmas GUS
toms are not so well known. kissing
under the mistletoe is well known
and amusing custom and dates back
to custom the Scandinavians OBJ
served a thousand years before Christ.
Thor was the great god of the Scan
dinavians. He was believed to be
partial Ito mistletoe. So, to do him
honor. mistletoe came to be a sign
Of great friendship. Whoever touched
nistletOe together must be friends,
not enemies. When hung over a
Threshold all who passed under the
nistlatoe must be friend of the
householder. From this friendly greet
ings developed into kisses, thus giving
Ms one of our quaintest and oldest
Christmas customs.
Saint Winnifred, missionary to
the Scandinavians in the eighth cen
fury, is given the credit of introduce
ing the first Christmas tree. The
Scandinavians were WOrshipers of tree
spirits or Druids. On Christmas eve
it was their custom to hold a great
celebration in the woods at which time
they offered human sacrifice to the
tree spirits.
Origin Of Christmas Tree.
1t is said that on one such occas-
ion, Just before the sacrifice was to be
offered, Saint Winnifred suddenly ap-
peared. In great wrath he hewed down
the great oak tree which was to be the
altar for the sacrifice. Very near
stood young fir tree. Saint Winni-
fred very effectively called upon the
people to gather trees like the fir,
take them into their homes and with
laughter and songs and rites of love
celebrate the birthnight Of the real
Christ.
The custom of lighting Christmas
candles came from an old Roman mid
winter feast called the Feast of
Lights" while the use of holly and
poinsettia as the Christmas flower is
a natural one since It is at the Christ
mas time these plants are most lux
uriant. Then. too, they seem Natures
offering of additional brightness in
this glad season.
o,,ch aro tho stories and legends of