The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1921-12-24
ORIGIN OF CHRISTMAS

Christmas was first celebrated In
the year 9s. observes a writer, but 1t
was 40 years later before it was Off
cially adopted as a Christmas festi-
val; mol was 1t until about the Fifth
century that the day of its celebra-
ton became permanently fixed on
December rs. Up to that time 1t had
been irregularly observed at various
times of the year-in December, in
April and in May, but most frequent
ly in January.
In Rome the Saturnalia, or feast of
Saturn, fell at about the same time
as our Christmas. and 1t marked the
greatest festival Of the Roman year..
The city abandoned itself to gayety.
Universal mirth was the order of the
day: friends Toasted friends, and foes
were reconciled. All social distinc-
lions were laid aside. Work was
stopped, and no war was ever entered
upon at that time.
One by one other legends and Gus
toms have been disproved and over
thrown, yet none has dared attack
the legends and the customs sacred
to Christmastide. 1t remains with
us, and will always remain. Christ
mas marks the Winteh solstice. The
days begin to lengthen, and the sun
no longer journeys away from the
earth, but enters upon its return. 1t
is a promise of renewed light and
warmth, of the approach of Summer,
and men hailed these signs with ev-
cry expression of gladness.
When Christianity spread abroad,
men adapted the old customs of their
ancestors to the new order of things.
The word Yuletide, used to give a
picturesque. oldtime flavor to the
Christmas idea, comes from Yule, an
old name for Christmas. The term
springs from an English word used to
designate the two months of Decem-
Der and January, one of which was
called the former Yule," the other
the latter Yule." There is a legend
which relates that it was the custom
years ago for every Saxon household
to burn the Yule log on Christmas
ave.. This was a great gnarled ROOT
or tree trunk. cut the day before
Christmas and brought into the hall
mony and accompanied by music.
Each member of the household would
sing a Yule song, standing on the CEN
ter of the log.
In Germany and other European
countries it was believed by the chill
dren that the Christmas tree glitter
ing with candles and brightness, and
the gifts found beneath the tree. were
the work OF jolly old st. Nicholas. or
Santa Claus, as we know him. This
kindly saint was no legendary char
acter. He lived about 300 A. D., and
was a noted Bishop of Asia Minor. He
vas looked upon as a patron saint of
generosity because of his liberality.
The idea of st. Nicholas travelling in
a sleigh drawn by reindeer originated
in the cold northern countries. The
reindeer were the swiftest animals
known. and they must needs fly like
the wind to carry St. Nick the rounds
of the world in one night.
Almost as important as the gift
giving and gift receiving on Christ
mas day is the feast of dainties spread
on hat occasion. But even the Christ
mas dinner has its origin in the dim,
distant past. Feasts were always the
accompaniment Of any festival. In
Egypt. at the Winter solstice, every
family killed and ate a goose as a re-
ligious observance. We preserve the
custom of eating fowl on Christmas.
but the toothsome turkey has more
generally supplanted the goose.