| Christmas Through The Ages, Continued |
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| The lighting of candles on Christmas Eve and throughout the twelve days following, the burning of the Yule log, decorating with greens, elaborate preprations of food, and other festive practices were mingled with Advent - the four weeks preceding Christmas. Little was overlooked while preparing for the coming of the Light of the World. In the thirteenth century, the laity were now able to participage more actively in the ligurgy of the church. Theology was reduced to its simplest terms, so the peasants who couldn't read, wee able to comprehend the "great mysteries" of the life of Christ. there were two men who were largely responsible for this chsange. They were St. Francis and Jacopone da Todi, an aristocrat who had chosen to take on a new life as a working man, to identify himself with the common people. As a result his new understanding enabled him to write Christmas poetry and stories in a most charming way. St. Francis of Assisi re-enacted the birth of Christ with such tenderness and simplicity that it still lives today in our chaotic age. In the year 1223 St. Francis developed a human concept of the manger at Bethlehem. He introduced live animals into his manger setting and the people of the village participated in re-enacting the birth of Christ. In this way, these men offered Christ to the peple in a way they could understand. The demonstrations of the mummers, the grotesque costumes used for Christmas observances, the wild enthusiasm, the uncontrolled expressions of joy often took on a rather objectionalbe aspect. These excesses, although they were banned by the church, presisted to the time when Christmas was banned in England, when the Puritans came into power under Oliver Cromwell. The Christmas customs were attacked as heathen practices and Parliament passed an act forbidding this celebration and other religious celebrations including Easter and Whitsuntide which was the week beginning the seventh Sunday after Easter - Pentecost. The objection to Christmas by the Puritans, and their attempt to subdue the series of days which had become an elaborate festival season, weren't too effective because there was a love for Christmas that no law could subdue. the spirit which made England merry died out with the suppression of Christmas; the new point of view was colored by a deep religious feeling and a new kind of humanitarianism. The carol "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" reflects the change in the spirit of Christmas which exists to this day. The Plgrims had a less somber outlook, as indicated by their restive celebrations, but there was hostility toward the celebrations as indicated in this law passed in 1659: "Whosoever shall be found observing such a day as Christmas and the like, either by forbearing of labor, feasting, or any other way upon such account as aforesaid, every such person so offending shall pay for each offense five shilling as a fine to the country." The law was repealed in 1681. Five years later a Christmas service was conducted in Boston Towne Hall, but it wasn't until the last half of the nineteenth century that New England observed Christmas. Advent In many European countries the season of Advent is looke dupon as a period of preparation for the birth of the Christ Child. An old custom widely practiced in parts of Germany and the Scandinavian countries is woven around the lighting of the candle on each of the four Sundays preceding Christmas. Sometimes the candles are placed in a wreath of evergreens or on a small tree. Symbols cut from paper and other materials are used. Each day an emblem associated with a particular feast or liturgical observance is placed on the wreath or tree. Evergreen Symbols The use of evergreens, cones and fragrant herbs in the making of wreaths and garlands for festive occasions is an ancient art dating back to the Egyptians a thousand years before the birth of Christ. References to wreaths and garlands of leaves, flowers and fruit can also be found in oriental literature, the traditions of the Persians, and ancient records of the Hebrews and the rituals of the truids. It was a universal expression of joy and devotion. Living plants and their beauty helped dispel the gloom of winter. Also, evergreens symbolized eternal life. In ancient times, the Egyptians brought the green date palm indoors, because it signified life triumphant over death. The Romans trimmed trees with trinkets and toys during the Saturnalia. The Druids honored Odin (or Wodin) by tyingt gilded apples and othe rofferings on tree branches. When the use of decorative trees and flowers continued to play an important part in the lives of these new Christians, the church fathers decreed that this pagan practice must cease. Tertullian's ?Treatise on Idolatry warned to readers: "Let them over whom hell fire is imminent affix to their posts laurels doomed presently to burn; to them the testimonies of darkness and the omens of their penalties are suitavble. You are a light of the world, a tree ever green, if you have renounced temples, make not your own gate a temple." It was not long before the churchmen realized how deeply rooted these customs were and the ban was lifted. Early in the seventh century, St. Augustine of Canterbury was advised by the Pope not only to permit but to encourage such popular customs which were an inherent part of man's self-expression. Flowers and plants formerly associated with pagan deities were ascribed to the Madonna and the early Christian martyrs. Hepworth Dixon, noted English authority on plant lore, stated: "The poetry no less than the piety of Europe ascribed to her (the Virgin Mary) the whole bloom and coloring of the fields and hedges." Consequently, the revival of interest in decking halls among peasants and nobles alike resumed. Holly, ivy, evergreens and other favorites were used for adornment to commemorate the Yuletide celebrations. Holly The druids considered holly sacred and it was used in healing the sick long before the Christian era. The very name is believed to be derived from the word "holy". It would repel evil spitits and protect a house from lightning. Branches hung around the house and stable were a good omen, and it was believed that cattle would thrive if holly were placed where it could be seen on Christmas Day. In parts of England and Germany, hollies are referred to as "he" and "she." Those with heavily spined leaves were referred to as "he" hollies, while the smooth-leafed kinds are associated with women and are referring to as "she". The types brought in for Christmas would determine who ran the household for the coming year. The scotch-Irish who settled in Pennsylvania cherished this custom with the addition of the belief that if the holly was gathered in fair weather, the woman would rule the household and if it was gathered in a storm, the man would be the master in the coming year. The love and supertition connected with holly were rich. It was believed to be unlucky if holly were left up after New Year's or Twelfth Night, hence the burning of the greens. It was feared that spirits might disturb the maidens of the household. Another old custom was to take the holly down before Shrove Tuesday. Some believed that holly should never be thrown away, but burned, lest bad luck would fall upon the house. In other places it was kept until the next year to protect the house from lightning. In Italy, sprigs of holly were used in decorating the mangers of Christmas. In Germany it is known as "Christ Dorn," the thorn woven into the crown of the crucifixion. An old legend relates that before the berries were red, they were yellow, and the wounds of Christ stained them red. |
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