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

tIS&J magazine comment the
dearth of Christmas poetry in
the current numbers, adding that perhaps
the war has something to do with this
scarcity in as much as peace on earth
we are at peace is the thought of other
lands where the Christmas stars will
shine down upon scenes that have in
them none Of the spirit of peace on
earth, good will to men"
Each of these countries. alien as they
now are, has contributed something to
the pretty customs, the folklore and the
religious observance of Christmas and
has given something to the great festival
that all Christian nations keep
Religious observance of Christmas
dates from A. D.. SO, when it was de-
creed that the day should be kept as
solemn feast day and time of religious
service. Not until the sixth century did
It become festival. At that time Greg
DRY the Great established it as a day
of festivity, believing that such ooca-
sions were as necessary to the wellbeing
of race as fast days.
Christmas In Germany
Germany ranks first in the ardor with
which Christmas is observed. There 1t is
the one day for which all other days of
the year are made. The custom of Civ
ing presents is observed to such an ex-
tent in Germany that during the week
before Christmas day bazaar is held
with an exhibition of trinlSets from
every part of the world. All places of
amusement are open, and lights shine
everywhere
The Germans light their Christmas
evening from then until New Year.
The German Christmas dinners are eab-
crate and consist of many courses. Spice
cakes made In odd shapes and filled with
nuts are always a part of these dim
ners, which would be incomplete without
this special Christmas food.
The German Santa Claus is the
Christmas Man.. On Christmas eve
the children give presents to their
parents, and on Christmas day the
parents give the children their gifts.
The Christmas tree. had it's origin in
Germany Saint Winfried. missionary to
the oCdHullldNi ~ clctittd Win INV
ing caused the first home Christmas tree
to be set up. lie tried to show the
people that the Druid priests had made
them worshipers of the trees only and
not of the living God, and when they
were gathered about q great oak tree
on Christmas eve. to offer human sac
riflce, he hewed down the tree. AS the
oak fell. a young fir tree seemed to ap-
pear miraculously beyond it and VIM
fried saidtto the people:
Here is the living tree with no stain
OF blood upon 1t, that shall be the sign
of your new worship. See how it points
To the sky. Call it the tree of the
Christ Child. Take itsup and carry It
to the chieftain's hall. Keep your feasts
at home with laughter and songs and
rites of love. The thunder oak has
fallen and think the day is coming
when there shall not be home in all
Germany where the children are not
gathered around the green fir tree to re-
jolce in the birthright of Christ.
This was in the eighth century The
custom of decorating the Christmas tree
originated in Germany not long after
ward. 1t was introduced into England
, by Queen Victoria and into America by
German settlers in Pennsylvania who
continued to observe the customs of their
fatherland According = to the German
legend, the. Christ Child came through
the air on golden wings. and caused the
Christmas tree to produce toys and
fruits and candles for children who were
good Another explanation of the Gus
tom of g.ft giving at Christmas is that
the Romans gave presents at their Sat-
urnaiia, or winter festival. but the ex-
PLANTATION we like best Is that the custom
is in remembrance of the wise mems
gifts to Christ, and because Of His being