Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-12-27
SEASONS CANDLES, CAROLS
mistaken Hold of old Customs in
Details of Christmas
Observances.

II is noticeable that when one is anx-
ious to celebrate Christmas he does not
strive to originate any new scheme. but,
rather searches to revive some old Gus
tom and endeavors to carry It out i'm ex-
acting detail. Even the little Christmas
candle which sparkles from the Christ
mas tree has had its ancestry revived so
that the Yuletide spirit which it breathes
today may be better appreciated and more
Thoroughly enjoyed.
Carols OF the season speak their own
message. yet unless one knows the reason
Tor this form of music at this special
season he realizes that his appreciation
or the part they play in the great cele-
Lration of the nativity is superficial.
II. searching back into the past of the
Christmas taper 1t is noted that even
among savages light had a religious sig
niticance. Ever since the light Of the star
led the wise men to Bethlehem and the
great heavenly light appeared unto the
shepherds watching on Judeas plain
Christian people have employed this ele-
ment in a religious sense, especially Mt
Christmas. to commemorate the coming
OF the Light of the World to earth as a
guide TO mankind.
The old custom of burning the Yule LOG
each year, though accompanied with
"oriuly festivities, is said to have origi-
mated for the religious celebration Of
Christmas. The light of the burning log
was considered emblefnatic of homage
and honor which the household accorded
the Christmas guest 1t was a formal
ceremony for both rich ana moor. In tbo
houses of the wealthy Christmas candles
from AdWanf e. n
Lights, and they were significant OF the
light dawning upon the world Of darkres.
at that hallowed season.
Gradually the candles sunnlarted .ho
iule log, until now the burning teper
on the Christmas tree is about an ,hat
Is left to symbolic the same thing as
the lights of the great logs burned bv
the religious yet holiday-loving peasants
the people of ireland took especiaIIv 10
the candle as symbol. The peasant of
that country placed large oatcake. upon
"hlch were twelve candles surrounding
one very large candle i'm his window
rms was in commemoration Of the
savior and the twelve apostles.
Inc trinity candle. which was also
USED In ireland at Christmas, had three
branches. which were burned down 10
the place where all united. the remainder
neing reserved to burn when welcoming
the new year.
The past of the Christmas carol car
ries one back to the first Christmas night
when the angelic host hailed the birth Of
the Savior with the heavenly chant
Glory to God In the highest and on
earth peace, good will to men, since
then this carol has been used I'm obeerv-
ing the natal day of the Prince of Peace
AZ first all carols were hymns. dealing
with the events OF that sacred night and
those who helped to make II. but eradu-.
ally the songs broadened to include the
customs, emblems and traditions Of the
people. Hence the early carols were
ABOUT the Virgin Mary. Joseph, who was
always pictured as an old man; Angel
gabriel the three kings OF the orient,
the shepherds and angels.
Later special festival carols were com
posed and sung to fit the merry occa-
sions OF the bringing In OF the boar's
head and the asking of charity by the
Door peasants. who went singing to the
homes of the prosperous Christmas eve.
asking them 10 taste OF the wassail how,
and bestow charity In return. After the
carol left the church il Jared the Same
as the drama after its separation from
the religious life OF the people. for Il
TOOK on much of the coarseness and vuI-
garity of those who employed it in their
holiday frolics.
fortunately the carol today fulfills all
that may be expected Of it. The words
and sentiments Of such a sacred song as
20 Little Town OF Bethlehem continues
to circle the world, while the carols which
have taken on the life Of today contain
nothing worse than the praises of santa
Claus and the encouragement TO the Civ
ing OF charity and not the asking.