The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-12-14


sang the news Of Savior born2
The singing Of carols Is not peculiar to Eng
land where 1t introduced by the Purltans.
In France they are similar in character to those
OF the nation across the Channel, and are called
noeis. In Italy the Calabrlan shepherds are itin-
Grant musicians and choral singers, At the sea-
son OF Advent they come down from the noun
tains 20 the cities singing their peculiar hill
music. Lady Morgan gives an interesting account
Of the piety of these Shepherds Having seen them
stop every year In front of carpenters shop in
Rome, TO sing and play, she questioned them Of
the reason for this. They replied that In that way
they gave honor to st. Joseph, who was car
penter also. The name Of these singers Is
pIferarl.
The word "carol" Is really formed upon two
other words Cantare, to sing, and rola, an inter
lection OF Joy. Therefore. the term carol need
not be confined to Christmas music, although that
is the general use Of the world
In Wales and Ireland the custom of singing
carols Is better preserved than In England, as Is
also the case In France
OF the origin OF the Christmas tree, we have
many beautiful legends of which that Of St
Bonlfaee Is not the least, Unfortunately, 1t LIS
too long to have more than a mere mention Of
the recognition that is due It in article of this
character.
Scandinavian myth tells Of its having sprung
from bloodsaturated SOIL where two lovers met a
violent death, and always thereafter on Christmas
On Of the French legends OF the thirteenth CEN
fury speaks OF gigantic tree which the hero dis
covers. Its branches were covered with burning
candles and on the top foated vision Of a child.
Not understanding the meaning Of this, he asked
the pope for an explanation The pope's reply
was that the tree represented mankind; the child,
the Savior; the candles, good and bad human be-
ings.
Some writer's have found q connection between
the original Christmas tree and Yggdrasill, the
giant ash tree of Scandinavian mythology which
spread its branches over the whole world; others
point to the pine tree used In the Bacchanalia,
which crowned with the image Of Bacchus,
and again there are those who speak Of the GUS
tom OF the ancient Egyptians, who at the time OF
the winter solstice decorated their houses with
the branches of the date pam-these are all re-
ferred to probable progenltors of our custom
of trimming tree and decorating our buildings.
Similar trees We're used on festive occasions by
the Hndus sometimes artificial and Of priceless
value, being formed of pearls and other precious
stones
Whatever may be said, there is no certain
knowledge OF the use Of the trees as we now have
Il before the sixteenth century. We find 1t APP
pearing ut Strasshurg, In Germany, at about that
time, and for 200 years it was maintained along
the Rhine After this period, during which 1t was
gaining strength 1t suddenly flashed over all Ger
many. This was at the beginning of the nine
teenth century in the 90 years succeeding this
suuNGH growth III ndu StruCk lLs TOOtS INTO all
Christendom
The preparation Of IT for the eyes Of the young
In Germany, the country where the modern prae
tice originated is affair OF great secrecy. 1t II
kept In a separate room, which is locked, and into
whose mysteries none but the mother is INF
tiated.
At SIX o'clock In the evening Of the day be
fore Christmas the door is opened and In the
children rush to receive their presents which are
hung on and spread all about the tree. Then the
children present their gifts to their parests and
then TO each other. and the whole surprise d
over before Christmas eve has passed. Probably
this explains the lassltude that is experienced
the next day-which feeling. nevertheless, is mo-
solely Characteristic Of Germany.
America received its first tree through the Ger
immigrant, who brought II with him. But
for long time the festival did not receive reeeg
milton because OF the laws ferhiddinE It, II was
not until the latter part Of the eighteenth cen
fury that these laws We're repealed. and after that
Il took some time for II 10 emerge from the stat,
OF uuiescence into which It had been forced.
TO our country belong the honor of being tht
birthplace of the Christmas card. which, sadly
enough together with other Christmas remem
brances has degenerated In some cases to a mer'
business convention.
The custom first started with the school pieces
which tho schoolhOy OF the middle nineteenth
century was to read at the annual schocl exer
eises always given at this time Of the year. The
original fourtshes of embellishment on thes'
cards, upon which the pieces to be read were writ
ten grew into an deliberately designed poem o.
maxim, good wishes what not.
Tusser I'm his Five Hundred Points OF GOos
Husbandryr said, and wisely tso;
AT Christmas play and make geld cheer,
For Christmas comes but once a year,
Happy are those who profit by this advice, an'
more itanpY those who mnintnin, In some form
this spirit through the 1914 dayS which interyen