The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1919-12-27

| Next, Russian peasant family was seen
sitting in the quietness of their home on
Christmas Eve. Suddenly weird, wall
ing sound was hear, as of little child in
distress. Again the mournfu1 wall was
heard. A little girl in the group looked at
her father and asked: "What is that noise !?
Is it the wind?"
NO" he replied, THAT is Baboushka.'
"Who is Baboushka?" she asked.
He then related to her the Russian folk
story which says that when the Wise Men
| from the East were in search of the Christ
Child they asked a woman called Baboushka
to direct them to Bethlehem Not caring
to give them the information, she made an
evasive reply. When she awoke the next
morning, she was sorry, and the wailing
voice of a babe seemed to be calling her.
She started in search but never was able
to find the child So, when you hear the
wind Wailing on Christmas Eve, you may be
sure it is Baboushka hunting for the child
after all these years. She cannot find the
baby but tries to console herself by leaving
presents on the doorstep for poor children
everywhere
Thus runs the Russian myth correspond
ing to Our imaginary Santa Claus.
| AS the story was concluded, a group of
Christmas singers entered, the boys in heavy
| furs and overcoats, and the girls warmly but
simply clad. After rousing Russian
hymn, the family showed its appreciation
and hospitality by passing cakes to the
singers.
Holland
Representing Christmas Eve in The
Netherlands, a mother was seen in the quiet
home circle surrounded by her five chill
dren, all wearing the quaint Dutch cos
tunes, with wooden shoes. The little girls
were in white caps, white aprons, ETC.
One of the little girls spoke the follow
ing while it was appropriately acted out by
the others, presenting lively scene:
eyes, it's the merriest of all our holi-
days. We call it St. Nicholas Day St.
Nicholas Games to Our homes on Christ
mas Eve. Mother spreads large sheet on
the floor. We children stand around it with
little baskets in our hands, waiting for the
Saint. When we think it is time for him to
come, we sing him welcome song. Soon
he knocks. He comes in, dressed in red
robe with gold trimmings and fur Jan
his little servant comes with him.
est Nicholas tells us whether we have
been good through the year. He knows
if we've been naughty too, and sometimes
brings birch rod. If he is pleased with us
he says he'll bring us presents that very
night. Then he throws shower of cakes
on the sheet and away he goes! We scramble
to see who will get their baskets full first
After that, we fill our wooden shoes with
hay and put them by the fireplace for the
good saints white horse when he comes with
presents that night In the morning we
find them full of presents. Now don't you
think we have a nice kind of Christmas in
| Holland?"
Norway and Sweden
Two fair-haired boys, twin brothers, re-
presenting Norway and Sweden, entered,
one costumed in the Swedish flag and the
other in the Norwegian flag With them
was a smiling little girl, dressed in the ma
tional costume. One of the boys recited:
81 come to tell you how we keep Christ
mas. We call it Yule-Peace in Norway.
While we boys are getting the tree on the
| day before Christmas, sister Gretel helps
mother cook for the company expected the
| following day.
eve children go out and give the animals
feast. In Norway, the dogs and cows,
and especially the birds, have the best din
ners we can give them. I climb pole and
put sheaf Of wheat on the very top for
the birds dinner I brought this along to
show you how it is done.
early Christmas morning, at three
o'clock, we go in sleighs to church. With
Fthese bells we can be heard many miles.
They were made in Norway. Instead of
saying, Merry Christmas the one who
wakes first sings hymn. We all have
sumptuous dinner from big table in
the center of the kitchen. In the evening,
the presents are given out.
"See, here comes our Christmas tree!"
To the surprise of everybody, small
Christmas tree, all decorated and bespangled,
walked onto the platform Through an
opening near the top could be seen the face
of Gretchen, who said:
1T wish to do my little share
Toward making lives more sweet and fair
We Christmas trees, you know,
Have kept the spirit Of the long ago.
| Our candles burn as bright in lowly cot
AS in the palace of the rich. Why not,
Since for the rich and poor the Christ Child
| came,
Before His eyes all people are the same"
"Here come my mittens" exclaimed one
of the boys
Much to the amusement of the audience,
two little First Graders, enveloped in huge
red mittens, their smiling faces showing
over the top and their feet sticking out be-
low, waddled onto the platform and stood
on either side of the Christmas tree, which