Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-12-16

AMY 10 DC oeplored. But true IL rs
that a ven Of mystery covers, to a
certain extent, the exact day and date
or Christmas, and we are by no man.
ner OF means proof sure that the
twenty-ffth day OF the twelfth month
Is the correct date on which the lowly
Nazarene saw the light that flashed
from the star of Bethlehem.
Before Christianity became firmly
rooted. the celebration OF birthday,
be II OF prince or peasant, was given
little attention; in fact, il was a mat.
ter that was frequently kept from the
knowledge of those around A change
OF feeling I'm this respect came about
after the birth OF the Savior. His adj.
vent was so heralded throughout the
Civilized world that none could ignore
the wonderful event If we are TO be-
lieTe the chronicles of the early Chris
tians. even at that time or there
abouts. the exact date OF the Savior's
birth was not known, for il is OF rec
ord thai Pope Julius set on foot an
inquiry resafding the same. and was
not surprised 10 learn that i'm differ
ent parts of the then known world
different days and dates credited with
being the birthday of the Savior were
being celebrated January 6. March
20, April 20. May 20 and September %
were accepted days for the eelebra-
ton of the. anniversary of the Natiy-
lily In widely situated countries. Pope
julius, wise in his generation, could
see In the future religious strife
should the then state of affairs re-
garding the birthday of the Savior
continue. and hes finally named De-
cember 25 as the correct date, and IL
has been accepted and celebrated
since then by ell Christian peoples.
= II has been questioned by the seek.
or OF knowledge, that, time being reck-
oned from the birth of Christ "a. d.,
and December % was the correct date
Of the Savior''s birth. what becomes
OF the other six days OF the year.
namely December 26, "a, %. 20, 80 and
sle
That question is too deep for the
writer 10 get mixed up with. He is
perfectly willing to let future ages
wrestle with Il and discover the an.
swer.
Harkine to Ancient Past
II is stated that the customs and
Festivities practised on Christmas
day SAVIOR much of Druid rites and
ceremonies. The principal feature of
Christmas celebration now is the be-
slowing of gifts. followed by feasting.
This is Roman custom that was OBJ
served during the month of January
OF each year, but with the coming of
the feast of the Nativity this was
changed TO December %.
Saint Nicholas, the children's Santa
Claus, even gave up HIS. one day of
the year to join in the festivities Of
Christmas. in which he has proved to
be the star entertainer. st. Nicholas
year day was originally December 6.
hut many centuries ago the people Of
Holland prevailed on Old Santa to de-
lay his visit few days and join his
celebration with the Christmas festiyi-
Ties of the country History relates
that il was an old Dutch immigrant
who brought Santa Claus to the Unit
ed States. Il may be Of interest, es-s
becially TO children, to know that the
earthly body of their patron saint, the
real St Nicholas. is safely enshrined
IL q church at Bari, Italy, and the
children OF that country make regular
pilerimages to il at Christmas time.
The Christmas Tree
Next 70 dear old Santa Claus comes
the Christmas tree. the most delight
fdl of all the festivities of the day.
The responsibility for. this feature of
the greatest holiday of the world is
claimed by any number of countries,
but II is pretty well understood that
the honor belongs to Germany. The
first authentic historical mention of
the Christmas tree was inscribed by
q writer in a German city, who statesl
at Christmas, Cir trees were, brought
into the best rooms of the home and
decorated with apples, roses. colored
frinkets and sweets" Again, in the
life Of Martin Luther we learn that
on q Christmas eve he hauled to his
home q pine tree. and after decorating
it with lights. tinsel and papers,
named II the Tree of Life" as IL
somewhat resembled the star-lit heav-
ems from out Of which the Savior is
supposed to. have come. .as
Candle lighting at Christmas was
for a time seemingly abandoned or
neglected. and It is very pleasing to
note that the. custom has been revived,
and 1t. is now no uncommon sight to
see many homes lighted by Christmas
candles. The days OF paganism in
Norway are responsible for the can
die. Candles were burned in that
country during the middle days of
the last month i'm honor of the god
Thor, and, as the celebration of the
Nativity penetrated that country the
Yule candles were burned in honor of
that illnstrions birth, but they were
designated candles of publication. On
the eastern shores of the. United
states there grows a fruit called the
bayberfy which is manufactured into
candles for exclusive use during the
Christmas season, and are supposed
to possess the charm of warding off
misfortune from the person who lights
il at Christmas time. When burning,
the odor of the bayberry candle is
very pleasant, and there is story
that its incense will reach to the far