Jackson County journal. (Sylva, N.C.) 19??-19??, 1918-01-04

er blended with, or part of, our dreams, winch y
sang the news Of Savior born? =
The singing of carols is not peculiar to Eng
land where it introduced by the Purltans
In France they similar in character to those b
of the nation the Channel, and are called 6
noels. In Italy the Calabrian shepherds are tin-
Grant musicians and choral singers. At the sea-
son of Advent they down from the noun
tains to 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
renter also. The name of these singers Is
piferari.
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 of the world.
In Wales and Ireland the custom Of singing
carols is better preserved than in England as is
also the in France.
Of the origin of the Christmas tree, we have
many beautiful legends, of which that OF st.
Boniface is not the least. Unfortunately, it Is
too long to have more than mere mention OF
the recognition that due it in article Of this
character.
A Scandinavian myth tells of its having sprung
from blood-saturated soil, where two lovers met a
violent death, and always thereafter on Christmas
eve lights were seen to burn in the branches.
On of the French legends Of the thirteenth cen
fury speaks of gigantic tree which the nero as
covers It's branches covered with burning
candles and the top foated vision of child
Not understanding the meaning of this, ne ASKED
the pope for explanation. The popes repi!
was that the tree represented mankind; the chlld,
the Savior; the candles, good and bad human ne
ings.
Some writer's have found connection between
the original Christmas tree and Yggdras, me
Of scandinavian mythology.
spread it's branches the whole world; others
point to the pine tree used in the Bacchanalla
which was crowned with the image OF bacchus
and again there those who speak OF the Gus
tom of the ancient Egyptians who at the time OF
the winter solstice decorated their houses witt
the branches of the date palm--these are all re
ferred to probable progenltors OF our custom
of trimming a tree and decorating our buildings
! Similar trees were used on festive occasions o.
, the Hndus sometimes artificial and OF priceless
a value being formed of pearls and other. prec1ou
t stones.
Whatever may be said. there is no certai
a knowledge of the Of the trees as we now nav
n il before the sixteenth century. we ma IL III
3 nearing at Strassburg in Germany. at about tina
e time and for 200 years it was maintained alon
9 the Rhine After this period, during which 1t wa
? gaining strength it suddenly flashed over all lie
a many This at the beginning OF the min
IS teenth century, in the so years succeeding tn
.e sudden growth it had struck It's roots INTO
e. ChristendOm.
a. The preparation of it for the eyes of the your
O. in Germany the country where the modern pra
ne tice originated, is an affair of great secrecy IL
kent in a separate ROOM which is locked and in
n whose mysteries none but the mother - IL
at tated.
20 At six o'clock in the evening of the day
a fore Christmas the door is opened and in t
H. children rush to receive their presents which
hung on and spread all about the tree. Then
av children present their gifts to their parents
of then TO each other. and the whole surprise
,at over before Christmas eve has passed Proba'
this explains the lassitude that is experient
ms the next day-which feeling, nevertheless Is
,re solely characteristic of Germany
America received it's first tree through the u
rv- man Immigrant who brought it with him.
It. for long time the festival did not receive rec
If milton because of the laws forbiddlng 1t. II
re- not until the latter part of the eighteenth c
Che fury that these laws were repealed and AFTER
on if took some time for it to emerge from the 81
of ouiescence into which it had been forced.
on To our country belong the honor OF pelng
the birthplace of the Christmas card which, So
hat enough, togetner WITH o.iei Oi ~ -
who brances has degenerated In some cases 10 IL
was business convention.
,oso Tho custom first started with the school pit
which the schoolboy of the middle nlnetes
ross century was to read at the annual schooi e
sid cises always given at this time OF the year.
for original fOuriShes of establishment Oh u
ould cards, upon wnlcn the pieces ~ NC eau w.
limo ton grew into an deliberately designed poem
osed maxim, good wishes Ut Wl'"' "
ious Tusser, in his Five huhureu Toih's "a
the Husbandry' said, and wisely, too:
tain
"At Christmas play and make good cheer
ton For Christmas comes but once year..
tside
,o Happy are those who profit by this advice
nrst- more nappy-1hose WIN in.'in'''i' - -.
hall? this spirit through the OOH uasS Which, 'A''
9TH before another such time returns.