=CHRISTMAS.=
We beseech all our youthful readers _not_ to pass by our Christmas
chapter.
We wish we possessed an abler pen, that would induce every family in
the land, rich or poor, to celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus
Christ, who gave his life for us. Even if some learned men think the
twenty-fifth of December is not the day Christ was born, what does it
concern us? We know Christ brought love and charity into the world,
therefore in gratitude we should celebrate his birth; the exact period
is of but little consequence.
Seldon informs us that the Christian church, desirous of abolishing the
Saturnalia of the Romans, a festival instituted in honor of Saturn,
appointed a festival in honor of her Divine Master, Jesus Christ, to
supersede it. But the observance of the day did not become general
until about the year 500. The reason why the evening before Christmas
day is celebrated, is, that in the primitive church the day was always
observed as the Sabbath, and like it, preceded by an eve, or vigil. It
was once believed that if we were to go into a cow-house at twelve
o’clock, on the night before Christmas, all the cattle would be found
kneeling. Many firmly believe the bees sing in their hives Christmas
Eve, to welcome the approaching day.
We deck our houses and churches with evergreen, because at this sacred
time the earth, then wrapped in darkness, was, as it were, clothed in
living green by the birth of Jesus Christ, our Saviour; fit emblems are
they, of the never-dying spirit of our Lord and Master.
The laurel is used with other evergreens at Christmas, because of its
use among the ancient Romans, as the emblem of peace, joy, and victory.
In the Christian sense it may be applied to the victory gained over the
powers of evil by the coming of Christ. The mistletoe is used in all
Christmas decorations by the English. Its berries and its green are
very beautiful. It is a parasitic plant, and grows on the oak tree. A
branch of mistletoe is often hung over a door-way on Christmas Eve, and
if a gentleman can kiss a lady as she passes under the mistletoe, he
has on _that_ evening a right to the privilege.
The evergreens mostly used in America are hemlock, spruce, laurel,
and the varieties of ground pine. The bright red bitter sweet berries
gathered in the fall add to the beauty of the wreaths.
Many have asked the meaning of initials affixed to crosses on that
day, such as I. H. C., and I. H. S. The former stands for three Latin
words: “Jesus Humanitatis Consolator”--Jesus the Consoler of mankind;
the latter, “Jesus Hominum Salvator”--Jesus the Saviour of Men. On some
very ancient crosses are found I. N. R. I., “Jesus Nazarenus, Rex
Judæorum”--Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.
“Yule” was a name anciently given to Christmas, and it was the custom
to select a large log to burn on Christmas Eve, for in those days
the old-fashioned fireplaces would hold very large logs of wood. The
festivities of that night lasted until the log burned out. This log was
called the “Yule log.”
The Scandinavians watched the declining rays of the sun from early
spring even to December, with great anxiety, and erected slanting
dolmens to detect the first certainty of its approaching return;
and when informed that its face was once more turned towards their
habitations, over which their enemy, the snow, had already usurped his
authority, they brought the “Yule log” to the fire, and danced, and
sung, and shouted, and drank, the grand carouse of all the year, making
the frozen air jubilant with their Christmas carols under the mistletoe.
Our Pilgrim Fathers had suffered so much persecution from the Church of
England, that they abolished all church festivities. Their persecutions
made them austere in all things. They looked upon church festivals
as devices of the evil spirits, forgetting that He who gave us the
bright sun, lovely flowers, and sparkling streams, rejoices to see man
cheerful as well as good.
Our Pilgrim Fathers suffered much for our good, and now our noble free
country can afford to have many festivals.
The celebration of Christmas is fast winning its way, even in New
England. The beautiful custom of decorating our homes and our churches
yearly increases throughout the land. What can be more appropriate than
to celebrate the birthday of our Saviour with garlands and songs, and
the affectionate interchange of gifts.
God gave us his only begotten Son; we in humble imitation give gifts
to our loved ones. God’s deeds seem consistent with this day. He,
whose birth we celebrate, gave his life for us. Can we restrain our
hands from relieving, our hearts from sympathizing with the poor, the
bereaved, and the distressed?
The custom of giving presents at Christmas originated in Germany.
It was derived from the ancient feast of Sol. The children of many
Americans, who remember Christmas, hang up their stockings Christmas
Eve, thinking “Santa Claus” will come in the night and fill them with
gifts. Some, to avoid being roused at too early an hour, have taken a
large bag, as a receptacle for presents, and the father or mother of
the family in due time distribute the presents. Others have had a table
spread with their gifts of love, or place their gifts carefully under
the breakfast plates, or on the chairs at the table. But the German
custom of Christmas trees is by far the most desirable. We wish it was
universal here. The writer of this assisted in preparing almost the
first tree in our portion of New England, but since then the Christmas
tree has spread far and wide; a tree more productive of pleasure and
fun was never before planted.
We will give some simple directions for the arrangement of the
Christmas tree, hoping to induce some families, who have felt a
Christmas tree was too expensive, to plant it this year. This tree is
within the means of the poor as well as the rich, by the exercise of
the united skill of any family.
We think all such festivals and family meetings assist in making “the
home” the dearest spot on earth.