Suggestive programs for special day exercises/Christmas/Some Christmas Customs

by Jason Elmer Hammond

SOME CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS.

From Department of Public Instruction.

Many of our Christmas customs, such as the hanging of the mistletoe and decorating with holly, come from England, though some of the most beautiful usages are unpracticed by us.

One such custom is the gathering of the children about the fire on Christmas Eve (after they have played "blind man‘s buff" or "shoe the white mare" until weary) and there, amid the warm radiance of the great Yule-log, rehearsing the old, old story of the Christ-child in whose honor is all Christmas giving. For in England, be it said, Christmas is still Christ's Mass.

The singing of carols is another beautiful custom that still prevails in some parts of England, France, Germany, and Russia, where boys and girls go about singing Christmas songs beneath the windows of every house and receiving money in return, which they spend for Christmas goodies or articles more needed in their homes. In Russia, one of the singers carries a large star as the emblem of the light that brightens the universe.

The Christmas dinner of the birds is a pretty Norwegian custom. Every barn door or gable is decorated with a sheaf of grain fastened to a long pole, even the very poorest people managing to save a few stalks for their feathered pets, special dinner is also given the cattle on this day, because Christ was laid in a manger at his birth; and the Norwegian children believe that at midnight of Christmas-eve, all the cattle turn their faces inward the east and bow down in worship of Christ.

The Christmas festivities of Norway continue for thirteen days, during which time the people go about dressed in their gayest raiment, and every departing guest must partake of the strong Yule ale,

A quaint custom is practiced in Brittany, where the country people, young and old, go to midnight mass, each carrying a lantern. The poor old women of the parish await their arrival outside the church and are given the care of these lanterns, at close of the service receiving a piece of money as they return them to the owners. Another queer custom also practiced here is the bringing in at the Christmas dinner of a large cake containing a single bean. All the girls partake, and the one who finds the bean becomes queen of the festival. She chooses a king, and the royal pair are shown special honors throughout Christmas-tide.