South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-03
Candles and
Christmas
candles and Christmas arc now

Candles and Christmas are now
40 closely associated in the COM
| munlty mind tha, they seem prac-
ideally inse parable. and no wonder
IL "a. for tho association OF the two
dates back 20 the earliest record Of
the celebration. As for candles. they
are even moro aged than Christmas
Itself. for use al festivals. The Ro-
mans. before there was any Christ
mas. used them extensively for lights
and az gifts IN their mid-winter
saturnalia. n fesiivity which was the
forerunner Of our pleasant holiday
on. you needn't be shocked 90 find
candles were orig naiiy part OK pagan
celebrations. You mustn't be too
critical about the origin OF Christmas
customs. or you VIII come up aga.T-st
the earliest use OF mistle'oe. That
Interesting plant was held in reyer-
once by those arch-pagaus. the
Drulds. who used &c IN their cere-
monies, where {, was an integral
part OF their religion.
And for chat matter. 90 be very
precise about these matters. did you
realize the mlstIetoe hung on the
chandelier Is really only available as
an excuse for kissing the ladies so
long as its little white berries last2
One berry must be removed for each
kisS-and when they are all gone
you understand perfectly, I am sure.
But let us return 20 candles A
single candle lighted and laced in a
window all by itself on Christmas
Eve IS 20 commemorate the Star OF
the East. which led the wisemen 10
whore the young child lay This
pretty custom has been particularly
celebrated in the last few years.
Let Us go back 10 our forefathcr's
time. the day when the candle was
held in It's greatest esteem, when fl
was ia fac. the only light they had
A few OF the seaport towns, able 20
obtain cheop OF boosted OF oil
lamps in our Colonial days But
everywhere else candles were the
points OF light for all.
Tallow candles were in general use
at hrst. and after a while bayberry
candles were discovered. and became
very popular. Bayberry wax at
forded a better substance than tai
low for making candles. i'm that they
did not melt in hot weather. nor give
off an unpleasant odor when lighted
In fact. Just after the flame had been
extlnguished such candle would
give out an agreeable fragrance.
which fact has recommended IL even
until now a a gift OF unusual charm
In fact. so important did the man
ufactGre OF bayberry candles be-
come that the town OF Salem pro-
claimed an ordinance that all be
prohibited from picking bayberrics
after Sept IS. when they should
have attained their prime.
As for candlcsticks I'm sure you
have seen those odd looking affairs
In your historical museum. they. too
were In great demand. Not every
family owned a set. They were
passed about from home TO home. a
circulating utensll, as 70 were.
And as for the Christmas tree all
aglitter with gay decorations. tinsel,
gifts and candy-how could it shine
its resplendent best without candles
20 light up its festive array? In this
day OF practical purposes. tiny cleo
tric lights are being substituted for
candles. but we certainly do hope
that they do not succeed I'm replacing
our old lights entirely. Undoubtedly
they are far safer for the little folks,
we admit. for whom after all the
Christmas tree was especially estab-
I.shed.
Can YOU not draw upon your mem
DRY. and refresh it by draughts %
that particularly Christmas fra
GRANGE. the sweet smell or pine and
fir. pouring forth from the lighted
Christmas tree? How could we cele-
brate Christmas without candles?
Another and lengthy article could
be written on the subject OF candle
sticks alone Let US. however. men
ton them here as gifts. no gift could
be more graceful. nor more generally
acceptable. Does you friend delight
IN collecting Colonial treasures
Give her a lovely old brass or silver
stick from Revolutionary days Does
he devote his time 70 the Orient
Journey forth 90 the antique shops
and ind him Chinese. Japanese. or
il luck IS with you an East Indian
stick. Does she perchancc. love
china best2 Find her "a pair OF
Wcdgewood sticks to add TO her col
lection. or the lovely modern pottery
Candlcsticks. OF which the crafts
shops arc Offering so interesting an
assortment.
And as for the newly married cou-
Pile there Is no limit TO your selec-
ton FOR them. only ascertain their
preferences. IL YOU possibly can. and
0e sure they viii welcome your Gitt
a new light. or pair OF them in their
new home.