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£5) PAGE THI RTEEN | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1948 pn T ji sc \ eto --~-- sm - pn her wo In a small Judean city,--Beth-lehem,--in the poor, outbuildings of an un- named public house; in the stable of an inn, the Christchild was born. From high heavens, an angeb chorus carolled tidings of great joy to the world. Lowliest of pastoral workers, the sheep herders, came in haste, impelled by great emotion. Philosophical, mathematical and theological minds, "wise men of the East," came as the result of shrewd deliberation. Thus, both ends of a social scale came to that lowly stable, to offer homage to the Babe swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." By COL. FRANK CHAPPELL ? UT of the long ago, a glorious festival dawns upon us. Indif- ferent to region, climate or weather, it appears as a season of sparkling brightness. It is a period of goodwill freely expressed by song and ca- rolling bells; by cards and chosen gifts; by gay green wreaths, glittering candles, bright decoration and happy laughter. This is the season when handshakes feel the firmer; the smile of greeting brighter. In manner, word and deed, goodwill of man to man, gleams from a thousand faces. We call it "Chyistmas spirit." Would that this attitude of mind, this friendly, generous impulse, was universal be- tween mankind of all lands; could be expressed with equal freedom and understanding the whole world 'round; could last, even among ourselves, the whole year through. Perhaps we are not behaving so badly. Perhaps we are better people than we sometimes think, even if what was regarded exclusively as a Holy Day, tends in this mod- ern age to become a commercial holiday. At least we are somewhat free of the theologicial . disputation and confusion which: prevailed some 1500 years ago. Those were the days when years of argument went on as to whether December 25th or Januar$ 6th was the proper day on which to celebrate the Nativity of Him, whom the angelic host had heralded with "Peace on Earth, . Goodwill toward Men." Apparently the disputants ended up by following their respective inclination,for today, while we and the Western part of Europe celebrate Christmas on 25th De- cember, our Christian bron of the East, continue to hold equally sincere and joyful customs, twelve days later on January '6th, (Twelfth Night). / Other Traditions ' But there are other interesting associations with De- cember 25th. Ages and ages ago, the semi-pagan Druids, those priestly ancient Britons, celebrated the eve of this day with vigil and fasting, perhaps #mongst those myster- jous monoliths at Stonehenge, near Salisbury Plains. To them it was "modra nicht," or as we would say, "Mothers' Night." Thus they heralded a festal day which followed. Then too we learn elsewhere, of St. Nicholas, whose day has been on Christmas Day for almost a 1,000 years. Saint Nicholas, a Greek Christian priest, some say, a bis- hop, who lived.around the year 300 A.D., was and still is re- garded ts 'the protector of children and those unable to help themselves, His reputed bestowal of dowries upon im- poverished young women of marriageable age, was done secretly, that none might be embarassed. This generous impulse is. believed by many to ac- count for our present day tradition of a stealthy approach with gifts at Christmastime. So per- haps we can thank Saint Nick, when we next observe that little card with the injunction "Don't open until Christmas." But it is from a natural drawl in native speech on this continent that we get "Santa Claus." When the Dutch flourished along the Eastern Seaboard a couple of hundred years ago, they quite appropriately celebrated Christmas with the accompanying tradition of their good natured, home- body saint, "San Nicolaas." Now this was perfectly good Hollandaise for Saint Nicholas, but when folks tried to say that name, it sounded different. You Just say it over a few times and see how natural it would be for you to write it as it sounds. You soon get 'Santa Claus" don't you? b. From association of ideas, clever imagination and strokes of genius behind the wit of writers we find evolving, quaint traditions 'of our own. A scarlet-clad, fur-trimmed, be- whiskered figure emerges, with "nose like a cherry" shaking with mirth like "a bowlful of jelly," while to the silvery accompaniment of tinkling bells," "Dancer" and "Prancer" and "Blitzen" make a delightful background. Days Grim And Austere But, unpleasant as it. may be to recall--it hasn't al- ways been thus. Back in those austere Cromwellian days, the sad-visaged Puritan forces of a revolutionary parlia- ment, tried their utmost to ban any form of Christmas celebration. It was, they said the degenerated relic of a pagan festival. Churches were therefore ordered. closed on that day. However, religious beliefs are not so easily stifled. Some churches stayed open 'and held: services, fully under- standing that this was done at great personal risk for all concerned. : Here is an extract from the diary of John Evelyn, a staunch Englishman, of deep religious conviction and close observer of those days. "1658, 25th: December, Christmas Day. No ser mons anywhere, no church being permitted to open. So-ohserved it at home. Next day, went to Lewisham, 14 on Micah ; they found "wrapped in where an honest divine preach- ed." Four years later, conditions were even worse, for at that anniversary - he writes, Went . 8 X39 org tne ey 8 0 don to celébrate Christ- mas Day. Mr. Gunning preached in/Exeter Chapel fi 2. As ser- mon ended . . . chapel was surrounged_by soldiers... so all kept prisoners by them , , . As we went up to receive<the Sacrament, they held muskets against us as if they would have shot us at the altar. But yet theyjfsuffered us to finish thy office of Com- munion,~as perhaps not having inistructions what to do. whén they. found us in that action . . . So I got home late next day; bles- sed be' God." °° oS Sue dani "16567. 256th December. with. my - wife to Lon- Pia. bd ose ul ol One can hardly think of diaries of that period and omit reference to Samuel Pepys. From the entries by this extra- ordinary young 'man, sp thoroughly and painstakingly expressed on so many subjects, the lack of details concerning preparation for Christmas as we know it, is rather surprising. Christmas Day appears to have been just another Sunday Observe the reticence of this entry: : © "1659. 25th. (Christmas Day) In the morning, to church where Mr. Mills made a very good sermon. Home to dinner where my brother Tom . . . to a good shoulder of mutton and a chicken... . After dinner to church again, my wife and I, where we had a dull sermon from a stranger which made me sleep." , 3 i RACE IE 0-1 TEAS ol. Ira Fig v rind! dul JH On - subsequent Christmas Days, reference appears equally meagre. Sparse notes elsewhere refer to Christmas ". "gambols, blindmans' buff etc.," on days immediately fol- lowing. Changing Sentiment However, these sombre days of restriction passed, for during the 18th century, Christmas took on a phase of re- joicing and good natured revelry as well as religious observ- ance. Later still, there seems little doubt that it was to the story-telling genius of Charles Dickens in the 1840's, we owe much of the modern popularity of the season. With his inimitable characterization he spoke to the heart of his fel- lows. His "Christmas. Carol," with Scrooge, Marley, the Cratchits', Tiny Tim and a host of like characters in this and other stories: fired the imagination of his readers. Thus at this season the spirit of goodwill touched the sensibilities of people in all walks of life, a touch which happily continues, even after more than a hundred years of oftimes violent change: Religious observance found practical application, thus strengthening a community spirit, a very real illustra- tion of "goodwill toward men." Around the '90's Christmas, during the boyhood of many Oshawa citizens who recall conditions at the turn of this century, wa' still a 'much simpler season than it is today. To have a tree in the house, would have been most unusual. Of course there was a Christmas Tree, but it was a tree, indeed. Not a wee bit of a shrub, but a tall well-proportioned specimen, drag- ged-in by team from some nearby bush a few days earlier. It became the "Nature was loveless and inscrutable until the Star of Bethlehem appeared;...a crimson dawn, forerunner of the Sun whose rising . put the pagan gods-to flight."--J. Lewis Milligan . feature of the Sunday school room. Set at one end of the au- ditorium, it towered toward the rafters. Lighted by wax candles, carefully wired to the branches and spangled by tinsel stars, it presented a cheerful sight on the evening of formalities which "took place perhaps midweek before Christmas Day. A simple present for each child, would be fastened to the more accessible parts of the tree. After the approving "Oo's" and "An's" which accom- panied the lighting up, an operation carried out by a slender taper attached to a long pole, for there were none of your fancy electric switching arrangements in those days, a musical programme followed in which the children took an active part. Lisping babyhood, offer- ed recitations, sharp treble voices were heard in songs and choruses. Even the cracked, changing tones of gawky boys, were sometimes heard for this was a great occasion. The evening was shared by the commun- ity. Most of the shopping was done on Christmas Eve. For many stores that day was like a Saturday. But the weary storekeepers and their helpers probably relaxed as the evening waned and shared a little party in the snug confines of the "back shop." How- ever for brisk heartiness and whole-souled merriment after the Christmas rush, it would be hard to surpass in real life, Dickens' racy description of "Fezzwig's Ball." Storekeepers may still read and enjoy this gem. Christmas Day And with the dawning of Christmas morning, children groped for their stockings at the end of the bed, perhaps even as now. The gifts though simpler than is the custom in these modern days, were readily appreciated. A stick of barley sugar, an orange, a book, a pen or pencil box, or a box of coloured chalks, was a welcome find to boy or girl. An air of mystery still hung about them even after one had reached the important age of ten years. If in addition, Santa had left one of those "net" stockings with a couple of little bells on the toe, that was a treasure indeed, for they had marbles, thimbles, word games and a sort of cardboard trumpet, filled with jawbreaker candy. The more expensive gifts were displayed later down- stairs. They were of the "useful" dependable kind, Perhaps a pair of lace up boots, (button boots for a girl) or an over- coat, hand-knitted scarf, or woolen cap. Certainly they were very practical, commonsense gifts, pleasing both giver and receiver, for they would last the whole year through. Later in the morning, the church service followod.. Greetings on the way were often shouted across snowbanked sidewalks. Most folks walked in those days, and sometimes walked far. Those from the farms and outskirts of town, drove in with sleighs and jingling bells. After the service there was a brief pause for a "crack" in the kirkyard or drive shed by the older folk, while the younger fry exchanged notes on gifts they had received. And then. homewards for dinner. Not always a turkey -- more often a big round roast -- for economy was a factor, even at such a feast. And of course the pudding, the in- gredients of which all members of the family had helped to stir some days before and make a mysterious "wish" during the stirring process. : Later in the evening, crackers would be pulled, paper caps and bonnets worn and mystic lines of "verse mottos" read, with accompanying hilarity. Games followed, with + musical chairs, hide and seek, spinning the plate, postman's knock, each having their turn, until blindman's buff pro- vided a rousing wind-up. And then, at not too late an hour, ~ the house grew quiet as lamps and candles dimmed and bedtime came. Next day (unless a Sunday), was for most folks in Can- ada, a work day. Not so in the Old Land, for there 'Boxing Day" as St. Stephen's Day was called, was and still is, a popular holiday. The reason dates back to those days, new slipping from present memory, when great houses and houses not so great, were staffed by plenty of domestic help. These house servants, who did a great job and were proud of their calling, were busy before and all day Christmas Day, Thus their employers were able to join feasting and merri- ment, unhampered by domestic care. But the very next day was the servants day. Boxes containing gifts of food, clothe ing, extra money and good-will tokens, were then distributed, Gradually, this custom spread to all public servants. Thus, the postman, newsboys, garbage man and such faithful wor- kers having contact with families through the year, were remembered. Rarely indeed, was their quiet, devoted service allowed to pass without a personal gift from the head of even humble households on Boxing Day. ® ok * 0% * x Thus was experienced the Christmas season of around - fifty years ago. It was an age and environment of greater simplicity and less extravagant taste and yet remains a fra- grant memory in the minds of hundreds of older folk in our city. They recall the happiness shared in those days. With- out ostentation an understanding appeared to exist whereby those able, made sure that those of less good fortune were not forgotten. Today, we see that same Christmas spirit spread over a broader season. The community spirit amongst the people of our city wields greater influence. Thus it continues to exemplify the "Gloria" of the angelic host, with "Goodwill toward men,"