Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1920-12-16

tune, as symbol or
health, wealth and prosperity, and in
hose days long ago the house that
ported a branch of mistletoe at
christmas would never be unlucky.
1t is from the Druids that the Gus
ON of decorating our churches and
.omes with evergreens comes, for they
elieved that all the sylvan sprtes
Ocked together on these boughs,
here to remain until the warm wealth
n came. In midwinter the Druids
ent around sprigs of ivy and mistle-
heir dwellings with evergreens. in
rder to propitiate the sylvan sprites
nd secure protection from frosts and
'intry blasts. Holly berries long have
cen considered as giving wonderful
,0wer when worn in the shape of
'reath, which must be made and worn
n imitation of a sacred crown of
aOrns and of berries, and the wearer
+ this crown must go alone at mid
light on Christmas and sit In the
ark, and, in accordance with that
ncient tradition. when worn on
christmas eve the holly wreath will
woke visions of spirit forms coming
n the air to sing their Noel songs, and
II the beasts will be seen to kneel
Town in worship.
The Yule cake and Yule log, too,
ave their important part in this an
lent Saxon tradition for the Christ
las festival season. The cake had the
anne powers as the bride cake has on
christmas night. The Yule log was
ised to light the Christmas fire the
ext year because 1t preserved the
rouse from fire during the year and
ubdued the spirit Of the flames.
is powers were bestowed In the days
If the Druids. when the betting fires
we're lighted and the brands secured
rom the fire to light the fire the next
year. The ancient Saxons burned the
Yule log as a symbol of the turning of
he sun toward spring.
Even the moon contributed Its
IluIG ~ AOhs
IS the legend runs If Christmas comes
during the waning of the moon we
shall have a very good year. and the
learer TO the full moon the better,
Holland, perhaps, has the prettiest
uStom of all nations for the Christ
mas festival. On the night before
christmas In commemOratiOn Of the
tar of the east. the young men OF
heir towns assemble and carry
Trough the dark streets large
fright star; all the people go out to
reet and give to the bearers of this
star of Bethlehem" as 1t is called.
inns for the poor.
Seven days before their New Year.
he Chinese worship the Kitchen God
nv preparing dishes of candy and vari-
aus sweets with which they smear his
mouth. Later they burn him amid the
firing off Of crackers, the deity being
cent up in a chariot of smoke and fire
20 n conference with the king of the
celestial regions. The idea Of smear
ng his mouth with sweets is that b.
nay not say anything but honey
I'd words. or that his lips may stick
,ogether and SO prevent his talking
100 much.
The Kitchen God. according to story
mad been III treated by his brother and
sister-in-law, who were very rich and
mad many servants. but allowed their
,rotber to work with the servants and
have dinner with them. Their cruelty
developed day after day, until at last
hey treated him heavenly by seating
him In a sedan chair made Of paper.
The creation Of giving gifts al
'hrisunas came. not from presents Of
soId and silver given to the Chris
hid. MS many believe hut from az.
I'D custom Of priests putting on hOart
Y all outgoing ships box ut ains
Vhis box was opened at ChristTuH
line and masses Said for the giveH
# the aims. and WIS called Chris
ASS" h0x. amt from this hAs COZ
our custom Of Christmas boxes N
la -Arytmw