The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1917-12-14


Is "Cristes Maesse," the Mass Of
Christ, first found in 1898, and
"Cristesmesse" In 1131. In Dutch 1t Is Kerst-
misse;' in Latin, "Dies Natalis;" In italian, II
natalie" and in German, "Weinachtsfest" These
are, Of course based on the Christian celebration
of Christmas as the birthday Of Christ.
We told that the pagan countries Of the
world held festivals before the birth Of Christ
and that Christianity spread the early church
sought to replace these pagan festivals with
Christmas festival. The old pagan nations Of an
tquity had tendency to worship the sun as the
gtver Of light and lfe These festivals took place
the winter solstice the shortest day in the
year. This holiday called Saturnalia by the
Romans and celebrated with great merrment.
Among the people Of the north great fires were
hndled to Odln and Thor and sacrifices Of men
and cattle were 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 as celestial trees The lights repre-
scented 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 were as sacrifices
It Is related that Christmas was not among the
early festivals Of the church. The first evidence
OF the feast according to church historians, Is
from Egypt And December 25 was not the day
celebrated with any uniformity in the early days
Of the church The celebration Of December 25
spread to most parts of the East in the fourth and
fifth centuries. At Rome the Nativity was cele-
brated December 25 before 1854; in the East, at
Constantinope, not before 379. se
AS Christianity supplanted paganisIn, many of
the old customs were carried along to be handed
down through the ages. We have distinct evil
dences Of Christmas celebration in "Merrie old
England" in the Anglo-Saxon days Of Alfred. The
holiday season then began December 16 and ended
January 6. With the rise of Puritanism the ex-
tstence Of Christmas for time was threatened
And this extended to this country with those
Puritans who brought an ti-Christmas feeling to
New England.
BY degree of the Roundhead parliament In
1e4S and the general court of Massachusetts, in
1859, the observance of Christmas officially
banned by England and the New England colon
lists. But the restoration of English royalty
brought about the restoration Of Christmas, and
In 1881 Massachusetts, repealed the law Of 1852
And SO Christmas has remained through the CEN
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 were to call to see 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 are sung be-
tween the courses.
In Sweden, where in truth 1t Is evident that
cleanliness Is next to 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 corn 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-
3oyment.
Another beautiful custom in Scandinavia is
that Of placing In q row 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 ediice has other light than that fur
nshed by the candles, it makes very pretty
effect to see them appearing one by until they
have spread over 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 are 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 superstitOns are very quaint and
beautiful. One existing in some parts Of Poland
and elsewhere Is that on the night before Christ
mas the heavens open and the scene Of Jacobs
ladder is enacted, this, however being visible only
to saints.
Candles are put in the windows in certain parts
Of Austria, so that the Christ Child may not STUN
BILE In passing through the village.
In Bulgaria, they have a curious custom. No
one will, If it can possibly be avoided, cross a
strange threshold this day. 1t was an 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
fly, for the house. for the cattle and for the crops
A brand was saved from the fire and placed in the
notch Of 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 one from bundle Of sticks; If it
we're short, he would be short; if 1t were long,
he would be tall If It we're crooked-and on.