Evening star., 1915-12-19

cakes are made by the German bakers
in three classes, Of differing quality
and cost. SO that even the poorest
children may save up few pfennigs
and purchase them.
The "krin ngeln." transparent sugar
candy. and the sweet almond paste
known as '1ubecker marzipan" are
both sure to be found on the German
size. II the good hausfrau can manage
to supply them. A figure, usually of an
angel or fairy. tops the tree, and on
small tables and chairs under the
piles of daintily wrapped presents
neatly inscribed with the name Of each
member of the family.
No one is forgotten. Even the German
children of tender years delight to give
making. maxi Funny litt|a Christmas cards
painted with astdnishingly brilliant
flowers and birds ara popular, while the
older children copy appropriate verses
in their quantity formed writing.
-
Christmas cards are now known and
in general use the world over. but the
first one originated in London. in the
year 1845. In that year the Rev. Ed
ward Bradley. author of "Verdant
Green" had a printer make him some
send to his friends. Two years later
ber of cards which sold at 2 pence. 4
cents. each. One was recently sold in
London for ESQ, or $1.25o.
While little American and English
children delight to hang up their
ney on Christmas eve. the boys and
girls Of France, Serbia, Bulgaria and
many other countries place their shoes
in a corner, or near the fire, that the
good Pere Noel, or the little Christ
Child. may come and I'LL them with
Faiths differ, and with them the OBJ
servances of the Christmas celebra-
tions. but all countries have their
pretty legends, quaint beliefs and odd
mortal have attached themselves to the
ancient festival, like the sacred mis-
tletoe of the Druids to the oak.
The use of the bright holly and mis-
tletoe for Christmas decorations today
are plain reminders of the old pagan
festival. Long before the birth OF
Christ. the Druids, with mystic rites
and the holly and mistletoe, perform
ed weird ceremonies in the forests OF
Britain, at which time the Yule log was
burned-not in honor Of the Prince OF
Peace. but of Thor. the god OF war
After twelve centuries of Christianity
the Serbian observances Of Christmas
tide are still strongly marked with the
flavor of their old pagan practices.
their very word for Christmas being
"Bojich." which means The Little God. y
AS in ancient times the Serbs sacrificed
pig to the sun god. SO today in every
Serbian home roast pig should be the
principal Christmas dish.
Christmas eve 10 known among the
serbians as "Badnyi Dan." or the day
Of the old Badnyak. who is some sort
Of divinity connected with the youna
Bojich of Christmas day. Very early
In the morning two Of the family'a
strong young men. attended by the
younger boys, make their way to the
forest. where, after having crossed
themselves three times. as is the usual
lowers. or after saying brief prayer
they select tree which Is to be known
as the Badnyi Before setting out they
have provided themselves with sup.
ply Of grain, wheat kernels being used
many times in tho ceremonies which
mark their queer rites.
Greeting the tree with the words
Happy Badnyi day to you" one Of the
young men throws handful Of whsa!
his ak. Great care must be taken in
chopping down the tree. for 1t must
fall toward the east, exactly at the
moment the sun god rises. The hrst
chip that falls IL carefully preserved By
one Of the children and brought homo
with the Badnyi. which 10 always cut
into two or three pieces. the longer los
being the most precious.
On reaching tho house the mother q
the family comes out bringing g small
nat wheat cake OF unleavened houl
called "poRacha" which she breaks or