The Monmouth inquirer., 1926-12-09

Is The Puritans developed a keen distaSte for the
Christmas festivities, and prevailed upon parlia-
ment to prohibit them Christmas was declared
a day of fast, and festivities were prohibited by
law. After the Restoration, however, the old
observances came back-somewhat subdued, but
gay and festival ever.
The observance of the Christmas festival spread
all over the Christian world. The date is not
everywhere the same, nor are the customs iden-
tical. January 8 Is the date observed in the
Armenian church The Dutch watch for St.
Nicholas on the eve of December 6. The French
have their own particular Christmas observances;
the Germans have theirs But wherever and when
ever Christmas is celebrated, it is day of rejoc-
ing and good cheer.
At one time the customs and observances that
we associate with Christmas had very definite
significance Today they survive as part Of our
social scheme.
In America we have made of Christmas perl
cd Of great social activity. The old customs of
other lands, combined with tender memories OF
the first Christmases in this country, make of the
holiday rare interval Of joy and cheer which
find expression in semisocial, semireligious cele-
bration. Everybody wishes everybody else q merry
Christmas, and even the echoes are gladi
The first Christmases In America were not the
gay festivities to which we are accustomed. They
were days like all the rest, devoted to work and
prayer Governor Bradford wrote, "Ye 25th day
begane to erect We first house for comone use
to receive them and their goods" few years
after this was written the Church of England
established Christmas services in Boston.
Our Christmas celebration carries threads from
many lands People coming here from France,
England Germany Norway, Italyall brought
their own customs with them. Our Christmas tree
and Santa Claus are imported. Our carols and
our stocking superstition came from across the
ocean, Even our Merry Christmas belongs to
England
Yet our Christmas festivities individual,
American They are like those of. no one country,
but like tapestry that has been patterned with
many beautiful threads, festivities reflect the
customs beliefs and superstitons of many and
widely separated lands.
Jolly old Santa Claus with his tinkling sleigh
bells and pack of toys is very closely associated
with the American Christmas. Our children hang
up their stockings in high gee, fully believing
that Santa will come down the chimney and fill
them with good things until, of course, they are
old enough to separate fact from infancy, or until
some cruel person skaters the beautiful belief
Santa came to America by way Of Holland The
old Dutch settlers of New York brought with
them all the joyous and hospitable observances of
their fatherland. They introduced to their neigh
bors In the New world st. Nicholas. or San
Nicolaas patron saint Of children. And San
Nicolaas promptly grew a long white beard beIted
his joviaI stoutness IN red coat, and made his
bow to America Santa Claus!
England too has its Santa Claus. The name
appears to be derived in sIurred Interpretation
from San Nicolaas, the English for which would
be ST. Nicholas According to the popular myth,
both here and in England, Santa Claus is supposed
to sweep down the chimney, and fill the stockings
hanging before the fireplace with gifts.
St Nicholas became everywhere the child's
saint though his personality underwent some
striking changes as he travelled from country to
country In Holland he remained st. Nicholas
but his personality was modified by memories Of
Wooden, god Of the elements and the harvest. He
became the patron saint Of the children of France
although 1t is Bonhomme Noel Gather Christmas
sometimes called Pere NoeI) who brings the good
things for the children. In Germany the Christ