The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-12-20
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1910
ORIGIN OF CHRISTMAS

The Christmas spirit walks abroad,
mingling with the throng. The keen
interest that we all feel, makes it
appropriate at this time to explain
the origin of Christmas. The Decem-
Der Grade Teacher magazine, gives
an interesting history of the origin
of the Christmas celebration.
Augustus Caesar, Emperor Of
Rome, decreed that every subject
in his dominion should be enrolled,
at the place of birth of the head of
the family for the purpose of taxa
ton. In pursuance of this decree, q
carpenter named Joseph, with his
wife, Mary, who lived at Nazareth in
province of Galilee, journeyed to his
birthplace at Bethlthem, in Judea,
the city of David, the greatest of
Jewish kings. Joseph and Mary, al
though descendants of the royal fam
lily of David, were poor and humble.
The village of Bethlehem was crowd
ed. The Inn had more guests than it
could accommodate, SO the couple from
Nazareth found shelter in stable.
This was doubtless one of the caves
followed out of the soft limestone
rock which is common in that vicin-
ity, since such caves are still used
in Palestine as stables for horses and
camels.
Some months before, an angel had
announced to Mary that she was to
be the mother of Jesus. The time had
arrived for the prophecy to come
true and there, in the city of David,
son was born. Mary wrapped him
in swaddling clothes--linen bands
such as eastern mothers still wind
round the body of little baby--and
laid him in manger.
That night, on the slope of hill
near Bethlehem, group of shep.
herds were watching their f1ocks:
And, 10, the angel of the Lord came
upon them, and the glory of the Lore
shone around about them: and they
were sore afraid. And the angel said
unto them, Fear not: for behold,
bring you good tidings of great joy
which shall be to all people. For unto
you is born this day in the city Of
David, A Savior, which is Christ the
Lord. And this shall be a sign unto
Iyou; We shall find the babe wrapped
in swaddling clothes, lying in man
ger. And suddenly there was witt
the angel a multitude of heavenly
host praising God, and saying, Glor!
to God in the highest, and on eartl
peace, good will toward men,"
Certain wise men, called Magi
saw a star in the east and followed
it across the desert, over plains ant
hills. The wise men and the shep
herds found the baby Jesus in ths
manager. The shepherds sang songs
of praise and glory. The wise mer
opened their treasurers, gave Hin
rich presents, frangincense, gold
and myrrh. The star, the songs, anG
the gifts are perpetuated in oul
celebration of Christmas Day.
Although we celebrate Christmas
on December 25th in honor of the
birth of the Christ Child, there IL
no evidence that this was actually
His birthday since--on account Of
certain changes in the calendar anG
for other reasons--no one knows
exactly when He was born.
Why, then do we celebrate Christ
mas at this time?
Because the Winter solstice, which
occurs about December 22nd, is one
of the great turning points of the
year. The days, which have beer
steadily growing shorter since mid
summer, now begins to lengther
again. Hence this season had beer
celebrated for thousands of years
before the Christian era. Merry
| Christmas!