South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-12-24
Christmas Celebrations of Many Lands Find Some
Expression Among South Bends Cosmopolitan Farmi!

times it the custom present a miracle play on
the eve and to certain this practice is still
carried out In the theaters In the villages particu
larly in the manor ho"ses Of the kingdom
days have been forgotten.
Here is still found the feast OF equality when the sow
and daughters OF the houG condescend 20 table
the OF the master and mistress
seated at single table. The boars head IS eaboraely
decorated with festoons OF flowers sprays
The splendid peacock skinned cooked and agair
dressed in his array to the feast
the most distinguished lady In the house Then follow,
the big feast, knigted by the good cheer the
'wassail" and followed roasted apples szzled in ale
lord of misrule is elected the opening Of each
Christmas evening to be the guardian OF the good
Of the party Together with his assisting band he see.
that the spirit brotherly love does not grow COLI
during the watches Of the night His band privileged
tag the jewellers TO secure funds for the poor
CHRISTMAS IN SCANDINAVIA
The celebration OF Christmas in the Scandinavian
countries is not matter OF day days but ths
observation extends the greater part OF month r
these countries II is entirely 10 say the ho
days. observance ceners about the church and IN,
religious significance of the Christmas season is kept e
the fore.
Weeks OF preparation keep households in svveder
and Norway in stir Of anticipation and Christmas ev,
finds the larders well filed with special delcaces
much vital the celebration than IN.
turkey is in America. Christmas Christmas day
are essentially FAMILY days In these countries thert
is little visiting calling these two days but
during the weeks which follow gatherings rofo
each other in rapid succession.
Christmas morning is the morning or the year
when there early services IN the and this
service. termed In the Swedish language. "Otessang
layers and farmers ride in sedges for as many
OF miles attend. This their rising few
hours after midnight This service is about
o'clock and the remainder Of the day is spent In
homes.
The day following Christmas observed no less than
Christmas itself church services playing prominent
part 1t is this day the visiting and social festivities
begin continue for least 1S days eliminating the
Observance OF Epiphany During all this time festive
spirit prevails, business IS a standstu and all
workers whose occupation permits enjoy a vacation.
Bend the Scandinavian observance is similar
in all details to that Of Americans the distinctly relg
element Of the holiday being emphasized The early
service "Ottessang' IS retained supplanng
later service and in the evening festival by
children presented, a huge being feature.
The solemnty OF impressive church festival marks
annual Christmas ceremonies in Bethlehem Here
the crowd assemblies at the Basica OF the Nativity.
which built around the traditional stable
Christmas BY little door, cut In the walled up
portals beautiful temple person stoops
enter past the guard Turkish soldiers stationed there
At evening the procession led by the patriarch with
monks priests and other dgnitares Of the church in
his train marches T. the front door Of the church and
enters,
Vesting in tba gorgeous robes OF rejoicing the oere
monies that last until midnight begun. At the
hour said to mark the birth OF the Christ tiny fig
IS carried the altar the Latin chapel where
II IS softly laid in The manger OF the sacred groo The
coerie then returns to the main church and hourly
celebrated until morning.
THE IRISH CELEBRATION.
on 'the night Of the big supper" the Irish begin
the celebration OF Christmas All day long they have
kept strictly the that demanded by their
religion the day preceding the great feasts
year. on Christmas eve which is also "A day or alb
snence meat sees the preparation OF bounteous
fish supper. In few homes the Emerald Isle Is
there Christmas be found but every house no
matter how humble has a Christmas candle.
Custom has prescribed that they shall weigh four
pounds and shall stand approximately three high
Immediately after supper these candles lighted
and placed in the window where they burn
continuously until their last pickering fash The life
Of the candle marks the hours OF the Christmas holi
days. Every city every village house IS blaze
Of light Christmas for the celebrations cease
only with the very early
Christmas day itself is time OF feastng. Even IN
the houses Of the poor found Injuries IN both
wild and tame fowl garnished with all OF those tiny
touches that go TO make perfect dinner symphony.
During the day everyone visits every else
hot toddy, like the wassail. is passed among neigh
bors as a token Of friendship Every house the
land extends welcome even TO strangers.
Scarcely Of less importance especially IN the rural
districts is the celebrations on St Stephens dav on
times Of which history tell down
annual wren hunt Armed 20 the teeth with clicks and
stones every lad In the village 20 kin the
The cease until little birds r.
killed and impaled the end OF a Ions pole In high
glee the lads show their prey at each house
ceive a few pennies for their enjoyment Fox hunts
held annually this day and large proportion OF
the people witness them every year
The Christmas dinner in Denmark IS held on Christ
Just after the elaborate church services
singing Of Christmas carols follows and then I'm
other gorgeous centerpiece for the profuse
decorations a tree IS lighted.
cunning little Christmas elf known "Jalenissen'
'Lipreeawn" visits every home whore he IS properly
invited A bowl OF milk IS placed in the attic and
though persons very seldom see him. the house cat
often does for the little fellow come 20 drink
his milk. Even the birds are not forgotten. and
sheaf Of rye placed a spot that they
NAV come and celebrate the feast.
On Christmas morning the village band climbs 20
the top Of church steeple and devoted are
coming 20 church play tour special hymns 20 the
The climax N the 10 DAYS celebration is reached on
New a day Of revelrfee and ~ bolster
Gus fun. AS the night grows older the householder
secures number Of pots and snashes them on The