La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1916-12-23
CHRISTMAS EVERYWHERE
How Christmas l. Observed in All
Countric>-Germany Makes the
Most OF Christmas


sacred festivals. In England the
Christmas is ushered in with the
celebration OF various old games
such as "hot-cockles, bob-apple, and
snap-dragon." The Yule log and
Christmas candles are lighted. The
log is a huge log OF wood brought
into the house, laid in the fireplace.
and lighted with a brand of last
years log.
There are songs and stories and
all kinds OF merriment. The Yule
log is supposed to burn all night, II
it goes out 1t is regarded AS bad
luck. Large candles which are to
burn twelve nights, are lighted In
the mansions, but in the cottages the
only light is from the bright blaze
OF the rousing fire.
The Christmas morning begins
with the singing OF carols. Troops
OF children march about the villages
chanting lively roundelays. In olden
times no English Christmas was con-
sidered complete without the was
sail bowl II was composed of some
rich wine highly spiced with roaster
apples floating on the surface.
All the churches, homes and sane
tuaries robed themselves in ever
green. holly, ivy and laurel. Gener-
Gus rations OF beef and bread we're
distributed to the poor on Christmas
eve by jeweled hands-while the
Christmas bells rang out their silvery
chimes on the crisp air joyfully and
Cheerfully.
There is probably no country that
makes so much of Christmas as Ger
many. 1t is to them day for which
all other days are made. So prev
alent is the custom to present max
ing here. that during the week pre-
ceding Christmas a regular bazaar
Is established with an exhibition OF
trinkets from all parts Of the world.
All places OF amusement are open
and blazing with an extra glare.
The Christmas tree is lighted on
Christmas eve but allowed to burn
only a few minutes. 1t is lighted up
again every evening between Christ
mas and New Years.
The dinner which consists OF
many, many courses, Is not complete
without the spice cake made In
odd shapes and filled with nuts.
christmas Man" Is to the German
what Santa Claus is to the American.
In Russia every family. no mat
ter how poor. has Christmas tree.
The streets are brilliantly lighted
during the holidays which last two
weeks. The rich at this time give
beautiful gifts to the poor, who come
begging at their doors. No heavy
work Is done. In the rural districts
the tables are spread and left stand
ing with the substantial good cheer
OF the season. Every visitor is eS-
p''l'u W fdA huHl'NhlHbE bAh'i NAh'
he II believed to take away with him
the Yuie JOY.
In France the holiday Is observed
mostly In churches Only the chill
dren give gifts at this time. Pres
enis are exchanged at New Years
and not at Christmas. But much
charity Is shown. In the largest
azores there is big tree filled with
presents for the poor who have no
Christmas.
Every one goes TO church Christ
mas morning-where Is seen pie
ture resembling n stable. in which
II tn Holy Child and Mary. His
mother. Way off on the hills can be
seen the shepherds tending their
flocks. singing GLORY TO God In the
Highest"
In Holland the gift day comes
three weeks before Christmas, II II
called Saint Nicholas day. The
wooden shoes are scrubbed and
cleaned and filled with all kinds of
grains for the white horse that draws
Saint Nlcholas.
when Christmas day comes Il Is
observed as n holiday-men meet In
the square and chant GLORIA In
Excelsis." a man is selected 10 be
star Bearer" A large star In which
are several candles all shining In
one. is mounted on n long pole. The
star IL typical Of the "s,ar IN the
East that guided the wise men to
Bethlehem.
Christmas In Norway and sweden
Is celebrated somewhat differently
from that In other lands. In Nor
way the day is devoted to erehanr-
ing calls. A table II set and every
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