LORA CLEMENT by Lora Clement

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Dec 25, 1913

LORA CLEMENT

By Lora Clement

Christmas

LORA CLEMENT

Of all the festivals which crowd the Christian calendar, none exercises an influence more strong and universal than Christmas. December 25 is commonly celebrated in commemoration of the birth of our Saviour. This, however, is a misconception. The shepherds of Palestine were not accustomed to spend the night with their flocks in the open field later in the season than October. Christ could not have been born in December,—the depth of winter,—for at that time the men who heard the first announcement of his birth would not have been “abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.”

This midwinter holiday is historically of heathen origin, being the great pagan festival observed in honor of the birthday of the sun-god Apollo. It was adopted by Christians about 400 A. D., and since that time has been generally observed by all nations. It is a point of interest that at this time (400 A. D.) Chrysostom, one of the four great “doctors” of the Eastern Roman Catholic Church, when quoting from the pagan calendar, remarked: “On this day also the birthday of Christ was lately fixed at Rome, in order that, while the pagans were busied with their profane ceremonies, the Christians might perform their holy rites undisturbed.”

Most of the ancient customs associated with the winter solstice are now obsolete. This intermingling of pagan and Christian customs destroyed the individuality of each. In many of the rites observed by the world today traces are still visible of pagan ceremonials retained by the barbarian tribes after their conversion to Christianity. The decoration of churches with the once-sacred mistletoe and holly, the sending of Christmas presents, etc., are pagan survivals. The Christmas tree, with its candles, ornaments, and gifts for the children; and Santa Claus, or Father Christmas, a shaggy, bearded old man supposed to come from the far north with his sledge and reindeer, are of German origin. The idea of Santa Claus came from the god Woden, a deity worshiped by the barbarian tribes, and noted among them for his goodness. Today in some parts of northern Germany the presents are all sent to one person, who, dressed in buckskins and a mask, visits every home on Christmas eve and presents each child with a gift,—something nice if he has been good, but a switch if he has been bad.

From its first inception, this Christmas festival seems to have been regarded as a season of revelry. The burning of the Yule log is an ancient custom coming originally from Scandinavia. This custom, though shorn of the pomp and circumstance which formerly attended it, is still maintained in various parts of England and the Continent. In feudal times the burning of the Yule log was the most joyous of ceremonies on Christmas eve. It was regarded as an omen of good promise, and the people believed that its flame would burn out old and cherished wrongs, and in its ruddy glow a chain of sympathy descended from the prince to the peasant and the beggar. After the log had served its purpose on Christmas eve, the charred remains were carefully preserved until the next year, when they served to light the new log.

Belief in the fact that Christmas is the birthday of Christ led, early in the Christian era, to the practise of hailing the nativity with music in commemoration of the song of the angels. This custom is continued in all Roman Catholic countries, and to some extent has gained recognition among Protestants. The noels of France, the carols of England and Germany, and the Italian minstrels all contribute their share to the gaiety and rejoicing of the holiday season. In all Roman Catholic churches a mass is celebrated at midnight Christmas eve, another at daybreak on Christmas day, and a third at a subsequent hour in the morning.

A belief still lingers in many parts of England in the ancient legend that at midnight on Christmas eve the cattle in their stalls fall down on their knees in adoration of the infant Saviour.

Modes of Christmas celebration vary in different countries, but everywhere there comes with it that spirit of friendly good cheer which makes December 25 mean so much to the world at large. Notwithstanding the fact that it is not the birthday of the Saviour, and while the day as such means absolutely nothing to Christians, yet it is a season when we wish one another well; thoughts turn to the absent members of the home circle; and we all can say with the poet: —

“Little I have of this world to give, And little have I to show To God, who by grace has let me live In his ransomed world below. “But mine are the gates of God ajar, And the golden joys within; And mine is the land that shines afar, And a life all free from sin. “O! mine are the strains the saved ones sing, And the hopes that ne’er shall die, And all the love that Christ may bring While eternal years roll by. “So I lift my soul to the gates ajar On this joyous Christmas day, And light my path by the Morning Star, And press on my upward way.”

Takoma Park, D. C.