South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-12-18
Pagan Customs

III r you were IN England on Christ
mas day. you would observe
two customs which have come
down from pagan time for the yule-
log was first burnt IN honor OF pagan
Getty before England became a
Christian country and which now is
an adopted custom when the IA mily,
servants and friends gather about
the great fire on Christmas eve
where the yule-lOg burns. The other
custom too was first pagan. refer
10 the hanging OF the mistletoe. In
earlier years IL was regarded as a
charm 20 ward of evil but now its
chief part - played In Christmas
love making. for the maiden who Is
caught under the mistletoe - kissed
and naturally the young people use
IL in great quantities for Christmas
decorationa The Christmas tree
though now common in England,
was rare until a few years ago.
In France. too. the Christmas tree
was unknown until recently. al
though e now forms an important
part In the children's festivities. It
has by no means however. supplant-
ed the toylike representation OF the
Nativity. The yule-log is also a fea-
ture OF the French people. 1t IS
lliI IN the fireplace on Christmas
eve by the youngest and oldest OF
the family thus IMPLYING the Old
year and the new A Great supper
tthe Reveulon) Is served a. mid
night.
n YOU were in Sweden on CHRIST
mas eve. YOU would hear the church
bells ring at clock at which time
cvcty body stops work ami The fes-
r-viL,es begin in earnest every where
i1 the kingdom Class distinctions
are forgotten and servants are al
lowed 20 eat with the family. After
supper comes the universal christ
mas tree for this country IL one OF
the early homes OF this beautiful
custom. on Christmas morn. while
still dark. everyone goes to church.
In Sweden. a whole week is given
L. oerriment and hospitality. Nor
way and Denmark celebrate essen
tally the SAME as Sweden with The
@ tI-- On that every Norseo an eats
rice pudding at supper on Christ
mas eve.
cu.e.tu at sunset on Christmas eve
.,ld beaded by a brilliant star OF
Bethlehem" borne alot. on pole.
visit the hoUses OF tho diSnitaries
cf the neighlorhood. Carols are
SUM- and there Is usually q mas
duerade IN which young and old
appear I'm various DISCUSSES Of do
nestle animals in memory Of the
Savior's birthplace. A supper is
served and presents exchanged.
Christmas dav Is observes with great
pomD in the churches and the day
ia given 90 feastinE All merry
making
In Italy. instead OF the Christmas
tree. YOU will find a straw basket
made 10 hold gifts decorated with
g-een things arranged i1 the form
u tree. Nor do they have Christ
mas trees in Spain. The children
hide their shoes IN bushes and find
them hIled with fruit and candies in
the morning.
In Germany. the Christmas tree is
universal for this Is its home. The
day Is one or cheeriness and happi-
ncss. the presents are usually simple.
Men aud angels fashioned out of
gingerbread are the delight d the
children. In sore places. just az
the candles are dying out on the
Christmas tree. a mysterious rap
will be heard on the door and a
bundle viii be thrown into me room
which viii contain presents for
every member OF the family. Five
O'Clock on Christmas morn a. the
hour for worship and the whole
family goes &c this early service. IN
some parts OF the country each per-
son carries a lighted candle.