The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1914-12-19

previous to Christmas the children are
on their best behavior anticipating a
visit from Kris Kringle, who rarely,
If ever, fails them, though sometimes
he reads the little ones a lecture, sur
prising them by his knowledge of their
misdeeds during the year.
Every year throughout the great
German empire the whole forest of fir
trees are sold at Christmastide, rang
ing from the little toy trees of 10
inches in height to the giant trees of
40 feet. This havoc in the evergreen
tree goes on ruthlessly year after
year. The Germans head the nations
Of the world for the number of Christ
mas trees sold at this season. Some
of the most appreciated Christmas
trees in the world are those fitted up
in the children's wards of the hospi-
tails. As these wondrous fairy trees
are decked before the little sufferers,
they become wildly excited, and pain
and anguish are forgotten under the
spell of Christmas cheer and Santa
Claus visit.
In France.
In France Santa Claus has never
played such an important part in the
child world as in England, Germany,
and America. 1t is lie Petit Noel"
the Christ-child who brings the gifts
to the children. A favorite gift is
that Of q little manger completely
fitted up, with the Virgin Mother, the
Christ-babe, st. Joseph, shepherds,
wise men from the East, and the
beasts of the stall. These little man.
gers can be bought from one sou up
to all sorts Of fancy prices. Instead
of hanging up their stockings, little
French children put their wooden
sabots on the hearthstone in readiness
for the visit of lie Petit Noel"
France has the "Creche" in her
homes and churches. The season of
Christmas is marked by a round of
festivities, with the tree always in
evidence. Many old carnival customs
are still INDUCED in, and the celebra-
ton lasts several days beyond Christ
mas.
In Italy.
In the little town of Alassio, In Italy,
situated on the Riviera di Ponepte,
between Genoa and Nice. surrounded
by an amphitheater of olive-clad hills,
the shepherds. who watch their flocks
by day, hold a midnight Mass Christ
mas eve in memory of the eastern
shepherds who watched their flocks
by night 1900 years ago. All the PEG.
pie and peasants throng to the duomo
of Saint Ambrogio in Alassio, and
press about the "Presepio," which is
arranged in the church; it represents
a sort of cave, with mountain land
scape, in which are represented the
Holy Family under a straw-thatched
shed, calling to mind Botticellrs pic
ture of the Nativity. Little terra Gotta
figures are the actors in the scene.
The procession of peasants, bearing
their offerings to the newborn King,
approach the manager, and the guiding
star shines above the Christ.child
Every little detail is lovingly attended
to by the priests to make I'll Pre-.
SEPT" realistic and effective. At
Christmastide one sees these "presep.
los" in all the churches of Italy. Peas
ants and shepherds gaze upon them
with awe, reverence and amusement.
Long do they linger before the waxen
newborn babe. Then the Mass be-
gins, and cloudy incense rises from
swaying censers. and the chorus Of
voices arise chanting the old Latin
pastoral Christmas anthem, unto us