Putnam patriot., 1930-12-18
CHRISTMAS, FEAST
 OF THE LIGHTS
Procuring Blocks Locks of
 Clogs of Dried Wood Procuring Blocks, Logs or
The Missletoe---The christm.s
 Minee Pie

Christmas was called the Feast of Lights in the Western or Latin church. because they used many lights or candles at the feast: or be- cause Christ, the light of all lights. that true Light, then came into the world. Hence the Christmas Candle succeeded the Yule- Block. or Clog before candles were in use.
 In the ancient times we would trace the origin of these customs,- blocks, logs, or clogs of dried wood to be easily procured and provided against this festive season.
 In the old, old days it must have been but few who could have candles or torches for their annual illumination.
 The Yule Block was probably only counterpart of the midsummer fires. made within doors because of the cold weather at this winter sols- tice, December 22nd, as those in the hot season are made in the open air.
 First Christina, Carol . "Gloria in Excelsis," the we'll known hymn sung by the angels to the shepherds at Christ's Nativity was the earliest Christmas Carol.
 From the Anglo-Norman Carol of the thirteenth century. The origin al is in the British Museum.
 And now--by Christmas, jolly soul By this mansions generous sire
 By the wine; and by the bowl,
 And all the joys that both inspire Here I'll drink a health to all:
 The glorious task shall first be
 mine; And even may foul luck befall Him that to pledge me shall decline
 The Chorus Hail, father Christmasl hail to thee Honor'd ever shalt thou bel
 All the sweets that Love bestows, Endless pleasures. wait on those Who, like vasSals brave and true, Give to Christmas homage due"
 Our ancestors considered Christ i mas in the double light of holy l commemoration and a cheerful fes- 1 tival; and accordingly distinguished | it by devotion. by cessation from business, by merriment and hospital ity.
 They purposed to make themselves | and everybody near them happy. | With what enthusiasm did they wish | one another < Merry Christmas and i what an omission would it have been thought to have concluded a letter without the compliments of the sea son
 Early Uses of Evergreen
 In very ancient times where Druid i ism prevailed the houses were deck l ed with evergreens in December. in order that the sylvan spirits might l repa:r to them, and remain unnipped by frost and cold winds until mild CT season had renewed the foliage of their home.
 The Laurel
 The use of laurels to adorn win dows, and also the chapels was a custom used by the ancient Romans as the emblem of peace. joy, and victory In the Christian sense it may symbolize the victory gained over the powers of darkness by the coming of Christ.
 The mistletoe The mistletoe, a magical shrub. was not unknown in the religious ceremonies of the ancients and is 1 mentioned by Virgil in the Aeneid. l The cutting of the mistletoe was sacred ceremony The people form ! ed q procession; the singers leading the way, followed by the Druids with the necessary implements for cut ting; then came the chief of the l Druids followed by the multitude. The oak was mounted and the thistle i toe cut with a golden sickle.
 The Christmas Minee Pie
 The Christmas mince pie or minced pye" most used at Christ mas and the winter season some | think was owing to the barrenness ] of the earth and the scarcity of fruit and milk to make desserts; this furnishes nourishment being com. pound of meat. dried fruits and spices.
 Let Christmas boast her custom
 ary treat, A mixture strange of suet, entrants,
 meat,
 Where various tastes combine, the |
 greasy and the sweet.