Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-12-13

is .'Cristes Maesse," the Mass of
Christ, first found in 1888. and
"Cristesmesse" in 1131. In Dutch it is "Kerst-
misse;' In Latin, "Dies Natals; in italian, III
natalie" and in German. 'weinachtsfest" These
are, of course based on the Christian celebration
of Christmas the birthday of Christ.
We told that the pagan countries of the
world held festivals before the birth of Christ
and that as Christianity spread the early church
Christmas festival. The old pagan nations of n
| tiqufty had tendency to worship the the
gver of light and life. These festivals took place
near the winter solstce, the shortest day in the
year. This holiday called Saturnalia by the
Romans and celebrated with great merriment.
Among the people of the north great fires were
kfndled to Odn and Thor and sacrifices of men
| and cattle made. The ancient Goths and
Saxons called this festival Yule which is pre-
| served today in the Scottish word for Christmas
The early Teutons celebrated by decorating giant
fir trees celestial sun trees. The lights repre-
sented the flashes of lightning overhead; the gol-
den apples, nuts and balls symbolized the sun.
the moon and the stars. while animals hung in
| the branches as sacrifices.
1t is related that Christmas not among the
early festivals of the church. The first evidence
of the feast, according to church historians, Is
from Egypt. And December 25 not the day
celebrated with any uniformity in the early days
Of the church The celebration of December 25
spread to parts of the East IN the fourth and
fifth centuries. At Rome the Nativity was cele-
| brated December % before 354; in the East at
Constantinople, not before 379.
AS Christianity suppanted paganism, many Of
| the old customs carried along be handed
down through the ages. We have distinct evil
denceS of Christmas celebration In Merle old
England" in the Anglo-Saxon days of Alfred. The
| holiday season then began December 10 and ended
January g. With the rise of Puritanism the ex-
istence of Christmas for time threatened
And this extended to this country with those
Puritans who brought anti-Christmas feeling to
New England
By degree of the Roundhead parliament in
1913 and the general court of Massachusetts In
1859, the observance of Christmas officially
banned by England and the New England colon
brought about the restoration of Christmas, and
| in 1851 Massachusetts, repealed the law of 1859.
And Christmas has remained through the
| turtles and is celebrated now through the entire
| civilized world
Always, but particularly at Advent, the Nor
wegian makes much of hospitality On Christ
| mas day, if you to call to him, his first
| courtesy would be to offer you pipe of tobacco,
and at dinner, which is usually more simple than
| that of other races, national hymns sung be-
| tween the courses
In Sweden, where in truth it is evident that
cleanliness is next godliness" the Industrious
| housewife has the entire house renovated for the
festival Nor do they forget their annual friends.
| for before they sit down to their own dinner
sheaf of is fastened to pole and placed
| in the garden. This is done in order that the
| birds may not be without their share of the en-
| joyment-
that of placing in a pair of shoes belonging
| to each member of the household. This is done
| on Christmas eve, and signifies that they will
| live together in harmony for another year.
When Christmas comes in Germany the whole
| family prepares to go to church. They form in
| line, probably in the order of their ages, and,
armed with lighted candles, march to the service.
AS the edifce has other light than that fur
| nished by the candles, it makes a very pretty
effect to them appearing one by until they
| have spread the entire church With this
service the season is supposed to begin. In every
| house the tables spread with all sorts of good
things, and the lights left burning the entire
night This is done in order that the Virgin and
the angels will find something to eat when they
pass
Some of the superstitions very quaint and
beautiful. One existing in parts of Poland
and elsewhere is that the night before Christ
mas the heavens open and the scene of Jacobs
ladder is enacted. this however, being visible only
| to saints.
Candles put in the windows in certain parts
of Austria that the Christ Child may not STUN
BILE in passing through the village
In Bulgaria they have n curious custom No
will, If 1t possibly be avoided,
strange threshold this day. 1t early
custom among these people to put corn In the
stockings. The head of the family would sprinkle
In front of the door. saying Christ is born,
and the reply from the family was, He is, in
deed" More corn then taken and put In the
fire, and wishes would then be made for the fam
lily, house, the cattle and for the crops.
A brand saved from the fire and placed in the
notch of a tree that assuring them OF plentiful
harvests for the coming year.
A maiden In Suabia, In order to know some
thing Of the appearance of her future husband.
| would draw from a bundle of sticks; If 1t
were short, he would be short: IL 1t were long.
he would be tan; II 1t were crooked-and SO on