The Arvada enterprise. (Arvada, Colo.) 1908-1970, 1918-12-19

ancestors in northwestern Europe cele.
brated the 25th Of December, which
marked the passing Of the winter sol.
stice or the return Of the sun in the
heavens after conquering the powers
Of darkness. That was the day Of the
sun wOrshipers. The problem Of the
universe was just beginning to puzzle
and our ancestors figured It out In .
STRAIGHTFORWARD manner that was not
half bad for supposed savages. All
plant life, It was observed, depended
ON the sun for Its existence, and all
animal life depended on plant life, 20
that the power Of the SON was greatly
respected and 1t was personified In the
pefson Of the god Thor. Thor was
watched with considerable interest,
since there was always some doubt az
to whether he would survive the win.
ter solstice. Hence the feasting and
nerrymaking when he continued to
shine clear and strong In the heavens.
Meaning u ths Wsrd "Yuis."
Besides Thor there were numerous
gods who lived In the branches Of
trees. Therefore the people gathered
mistletoe boushs and holly branches
and put them In conspicuous positions
in their houses, where they might
easily be seen from the outside. in the
hope that some wandering god would
take . fancy to them and take up his
residence amoag the red berries. In
.Gsrnany the early Hans chopped
dewn the evergresns and brought them
indoors, for the same purpose. The
buraing Of the yule log and the term
yuletide are survivals Of these early
December festivals whose influence II
still to BE- seen today In our own
Christmas celebrations. "Yule" means
sun.
with the dawn Of Christianity and
the conversion Of the sun worshlpers,
the birth Of Christ was substituted ~
the cause for celebration and the fes-
itivities became religious demoustra.
lions. The people still gormandised.
trimmed their houses with holly
branches and eave presents, but the
18th Of Decenbsf usually saw them
comfortably sedted In church.
40 Christmas has come down to %
with all these traditions. The German
Santa Claus legend has improved II
considerably for the children, and II IL
now known almost entirely - the chill
dren's season.
csmmuatty Christmas Tire.
Among the finest Christmas lnstitu.
lions today II the community Christ.
mas tree. which originated In Madison
square. New York, I'VE years ago aud
since thea has spread to communities
oil over ths United States. The cen.
inunity '~Trss Of Light" II usually
planted IN Q central location In the
city. trimmed with balls and orna.
ments and lighted with electricity.
Citizens are Organised Into committees
TO collect donatioas for the tree aud
employ hands Of musicians to play
Christmas eaFels and hymns. In Bal.
tlmOre last year RrOurs q men and
boys carrying holly. trimmed lanterns
walked through the streets singing
anu greeting eocn pe0eStrton VIII
"Nerry Christmasy''
While every year there 70 ~ incssas.
lns number Of persons who decide IA
''be sensible" and send cards Ia the
place Of Christmas presents. the aver.
nge person lacks the courage to face
his family einpty.handed on Christmas
morning. Hut Christmas II . spirit.
which you either have or haven't. II
you haven't Il. the holidays are only
bore: on the other hand. II you allow
yourself to become enthusiastic there
In really Q lot Of fun to be derived
from Il, even though you're lonely and
away from home. Last yenr q travel.
ing man who WAS compelled to spend
Christmas away from his family In q
strange city gathered q number Of
little tenement waits together. took
them into . large restaurant and treat.
ed them an to Christmas dinner. "
never had - much fun In my life,"
declared the travelling man.