The Alaska citizen., 1915-12-20
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By GEORGE W. PENNINGTON

Bc1Ore another issue or this paper shall appear, the anniversary of a sacred and wonderful festiva! will have come and gone. The Christian world speaks of it as "ChrtSruas- tide and in every shrine dedi- cated to their Messiah" anthems of good will and peace shall be sung, and many hearts will feel a glow of purest joy, merely to be held in loving memory on that day.
 The Nationalist, the Philosopher, the Freethinker. look upon 1t with reverence and profound regard as onc of many days when reason and ev- cry lofty attribute of the human soul admonishes each and all of us that on this day. and each succeeding day, we must search our hearts and make sure that envy, falsehood, and selfishrtss do not finger there. We must look to 1t that hatred. malice treachery, and every ignoble thought be s1ourged from the "Tem- pie of the Mind" and Love crowned Lord of all'
 We have been wondering why ey- cry day cannot be Christmas day?
 We have wondered why the spirit of love cannot always reign su- preme in the Temple of the Mjnd;" and why we do not more earnestly seek to adorn and beautify this plastic edifice; this marvellous gift conferred by the Master Builder? that Architect whose name is In finite, whose laws are immutable, and whose plans as shown on na- lures scroll are without blemish.
 We have also wondered if 1t would not be both interesting and educa- tional to review our history and re- fresh our memory as to the source from which we borrow and rename the sacred day, on which we invite our soul, brush the webs of time from our vision. and give rein to every tender aspiration of the heart.
 How few of us indeed, remember, and how many of us never have known, the origin of Christmas day, and why December 18th was es- pecially set apart for its celebra- ton.
 There was a double reason for it's se'ecton In old Roman times. back in that era where history is murky and obscure. where legend in great measure mocklngly plays the role of fact, we find this day sacredly obsel we'd as a pagan festi- val following the longest night of the winter solstice, and 1t was called the birthday of the Unconquerable Sun"
 It was fine thought, indeed, for the followers of that strange yet gentle Man of Nazareth, to cel, brate on this particular day the birth of Him whom Christian lc- gends have named the Prince of Peace" the Light of the World"
 The second reason was, the ar- cient Romans. in harmony with their time-honored pagan faith devoted that period from Dec. 17th to 23rd 10 unbridled merry making. Why? Be cause the Unconquerable Sun had wheeled In his imperial course and started on his stately journey back to the seasonal change when all nature would welcome him with out stretched arms; and every form of organic life would feel that blissfu! fecundity; that burst of bloom; that joy of fruitfulncss, which only the Sun God had power to bestow. And these days were called "Saturnal!a."
 We are told that the church in early times vas always anxious to placate the -Pagans, whom she had converted, or was beginning to con- vert; always anxious to meet them half way by allowing them to re- tain the feast days they were cc- customed to. And we cannot lues- tion the wisdom or expediency of her policy in giving the pa.tr festivals a Christian dress or at taching a Christian significance 10 them.
 Gibbon says: "The Roman Chris tians, being ignorant of the real time of the birth of Jesus. fixed the solemn festival on the 25th of December, the winter solstice. when the Pagans annually celebrated the birthday Of the Sun" The thought is truly beautiful, and the scion had splendid stock from which to grow. For after centuries of accumulated wisdom. when we view all faiths in the light of comparative history, what form of worship could be more soul inspiring than a reverent ado ration of the Sun and Stars?
 The story of the brilliant suns that adorn the Armament comprise great part of the oldest records of the human race; and from the very morning of time the constella- tions have proclaimed the mystery and majesty of God and Infinite Mind It would really seem that no other form of worship could pos sibly present so strong an appeal to an intellectual being.
 Five thousand years ago the Chal- dean astronomers, who were also priests of Ishtar, daughter of the Moon God" reverently chose and set apart in their astronomy and theology. four great stars-God's first-water gelus-to rule the "Celes tial Dome" They were Fomalhaut Regulus, Antares and Aldebaran.
 These royal suns were regarded as the four guardians of heaven sentinels watching over the stars, and also marking the destiny of mankind; conferring happiness and fair fortune; or misery and pain as their actions would entitle then to receive.
 About five hundred years before the Christian era, Fomalhaut was the object O, or rather played an important part in, the impress sive ceremony of Sunrise worship in the magnificent temple of De- meter at Eleusis. And at Christ mas time when this gorgeous jewel in natures crown was near the win ter solstice, his grandeur and beauty co {rdoccrtho h1o that pt{o little