South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-12-24

Clad in the carefree rough shod boots
mischieyous youth great nation. orphaned in
early youth tTampled down in their tender infancy
the tender shoots of chngng tradition before they nave
had opportunity to gain root in the yielding soil
Separated from the tender of a loving mother
versed in the tales of heredty. the Unit
States the orphaned child that is. has sought
where for its customs and accepting the external
tb, spectacular the superficial for the real gar
nered boquet ephemeral widhowers fondly imagin-
ing that it has set up lasting altar.
Among many nationalities represented in South
Bend there without it's memory Of distinctive
Christmas celebrations in the mother countrcelebra-
tons instances observed in this city
the native land. bur rarely in the same elaboration
o detail
Each country has its customs, halowed by years Of
and engraved ndeliby in the hearts
of people Just few Of these practices are offered
examples of the sentiment that the United States has
missed.
TREE TAKES PROMINENT PART.
Nearly every country the continent of Europe has
as part celebration of the feast of the Nativity
a ceremony connected with fir Christmas tree Stroud
oblivion of antiquity the origin of the custom
is "a subject of conjecture Perhaps the most authentic
by students who declare that in
Chr stanzing the Roman empire in the 354, the
feast of Saturnaa which about Christmas time.
was incorporated by the church Its externals were
adopted represent the hidden meaning of the feast
bOughs hung with tapers and clay dolls
given presents and these adopted by the Chris
tians
others ascribe the origin of the tree to the legend
which St Winfred evangelical Germany by cutting
down sacred the Druids. Another plausible
explanation found the fact that at Christmas time 1t
reserting lives Adam and Eve Here the tree of
knowledge of good and evil played an important
part always represented the stage decorated
deliberately with flowers and fruits.
Perhaps the most beautiful and the most expressive
ceremony the Christmas is found in the old
tees in southern Germany big supper is prepared In
every German home Christmas eve and luxuries in
the way of goose and rabbit found every table
The parents then retire a little while the
doors of the paror are thrown open reveal
magnificent In single file, the Oldest first
the children march from dining room and
of1,av light rupn md in
the mystic light of dozens Of tiny candles all join in
singing "Stille Nacht."
Every child IS home Christmas If it is at all
possible and rich families invite the to fill the
house spirit and charity, its dis
tinguishing marks. Within the memory Of the Oldest
German child Christmas has not been Christmas without
Justly celebrated "pfeer kuchen", ginger spice
become distinguished by its association
The giving of inexpensive gifts to every friend and
relative especially the celebration Of the
feast in Germany Christmas cards trinkets and
blessed with the deepest good wishes of the giver
exchanged with the compliments of the 1t is
above all time of charity and large raised in
every city and village for the benefit Of the needy
HOW POLES KEEP CHRISTMAS.
Among the Polish people the keeping Of Christmas
day deepest religious sentiment. Patriarcha
extreme custom has decreed that the children.
red single shall return to their fathers house Mar
red and daughters 60 the first year Of their
ed life to the father Of the wife and the next to the
father Of the husband and thus alternate.
The fast OF the of Christmas is observed religious
~ In the evening II dinner is prepared at
the parents which notable by absence
Of the menu. the day abstinence
Preceding the the religions ceremony of the break
OF the bread, Opatk Prepared the sacrstan Of
the church and blessed sacramental each family is
given several slices resembling enormous hosts.
Seated at the head Of the table the oldest
in the family breaks of piece and hands IL
10 the next in line and around the table When
all have broken off pieces each exchanges with
other in the expressing his her best
wishes. Then all eat the dozens tiny pieces rep
resentng the of the immediate family Follow
the big and the unwilling the Christmas
tree each exchanges presents with the and the
that be told effectively only soft mellow
Auttering glow from lighted Christmas tree.
The eldest daughter present then leads the
company his her house TO receive hospitality and
to exchange presents. After time the ensemble
10 the homes OF the younger children until all
have been visited in the order Of their ages The estv
ties last until midnight when all repair the midnight
mass Christmas day is generally spent home and
Christmas night no one stirs from the house. st.
Stephens day is celebrated second Christmas
In direct contrast with the religious celebration is
observation festival ENGLAND