The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-20

by FLORA MINER HARRISON

Gods gift to the world. From earliest
Bible times, gifts to the poor seem to
have been the expression of the thank
full heart and are in keeping with the
'inasmuch as We have done it unto the
least of these. We have done 1t unto me-
In Russia
In Russia. every family, even the very
poorest. has Christmas tree. The
Christmas season is widely observed and
continued for two weeks. No heavy
work is done and the poor go to the
homes of the rich where they receive
gifts that have been prepared and kept
for them. In the country districts, ta-
bles are furnished with the best that can
be afforded. and each guest is expected
TO eat something, even though he merely
calls. 1t is thought that If he failed to
share thus with the family he would take
away with him the yuetlde joy. AS in
Germany streets of Russian cities are
brilliantly lighted during Christmas holi-
days. and the people of the cold country
keep this season as their merriest and
happiest.
French Christmas
The French Christmas is observed prln
cipally in the churches and especial at
tention is given to those who are in
need of help. In the largest stores great
Christmas trees are laden with presents
for the poor who would otherwise have
no Christmas cheer. only the children
give presents at Christmas. The older
people exchange gifts on New Year.
Day. On Christmas morning every one
attends church, where pictures of the
Nativity are seen. The picture shows the
nlanger Mary and the Holy Child. and
in the distance the shepherds with their
hocks on the hills.
Christmas in Holland
In Holland the gift day is observed
three weeks before Christmas day and
is called St Nicholas Day. st. Nicholas
seems to have been the original of our
Santa Claus. He was the Bishop of
Myra, and lived about the year 300. He
was very popular because of his Kindness
and charity. especially to children, whose
patron saint he is supposed to be. An old
legend says that, wishing to bestow a
gift upon an old nobleman who was too
proud to want anyone to know OF his
poverty, the bishop went to his house
and finding him asleep climbed to the
top of the house chimney and dropped
bis gift therein. He thought 1t would fall
on the hearth, but it so happened that 1t
fell into one of the old gentleman's stock
ings which We're hung up by the fireplace
to dry. The gilt, a gold piece, was used
as a dowry for the nobleman's oldest
daughter The old story says that st.
Nicholas never failed to put gift IN the
stocking that was hung for him after
that whenever a daughter OF the house
was to be married.
The bishops death occurred on Deem
Der 6 and this day is observed in many
countries of the old world. The close
ness of this day to Christmas day prob
ably accounts for the celebrations being
COMPOUNDED. Santa Claus seems to be the
name by which the patron saint OF
Christmas Is more generally known, but
the children of Holland cling to st. Mich
olas Day, observing it early in Decem-
Der. Wooden shoes are scrubbed and
cleaned and are filled with all kinds OF
grains for the white horse that St Mich
olas drives as he comes to brighten the
chldren's winter festival. When Christ
mas day arrives II Is kept as a holy day.
Men meet in the public square and chant
Gloria In Excelss." A large star In
which are several candles shining as one
is fastened upon II long pole and borne
through the streets by a man chosen to
the honor of star bearer. This star is
typical of the Star Of the East that
guided the wise men to the manager in
Bethlehem
Christmas Candle First Used In Italy
To Italy is traced the origin of the
Christmas candle In the old festival
known as the Roman Saturnalia candles
were not only the means of giving light.
but were exchanged as gifts. s,gnfying
good will and cheerfulness. II is prob
able that the Romans derived the custom
from the Jewish feast of dedication.