Newspapers / The Liberty Register (Liberty, … / Dec. 22, 1899, edition 1 / Page 2
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Origin of. the Christmas Tree. Once upon a time there was a beautiful tree that sheltered the beloved Jesus and His corn pan ions., Often it had heard the sim pie precepts of the Master, and often 'had it rustled its leaves more loudly as the wind swept through them, making sweet music for the Divine One who rested beneath it. The tree learned of the goodness, mercy, love, and tenderness of this man, who became the representative for millions of people. It learned, too, in later days, of the hours of anguish, sorrow, and humili ation through which Jesus passed. One day tho tree was loru from Mother Earth and borne away to be shaped into across. "Alas!" said the tree, "whom must I bear in suffering?" In a short time Jesus was led forth aud the cross was given to Him, but as Eugene Field has most graphically told the re mainder of the story, I refer you to him. Sad, indeed, is the rec ollection of the first Christmas tree, if this be an authentic le gend ; but the various tales are , of a more joyous nature, as wre modern people now regard them. Christmas is a festal season, re calling the birth of the radiant babe, most beautifully told in the New Testament. Christmas is a joyous time, abounding iu gifts and good cheer. . Music and gaiety are in evidence, all the world, rich and poor, representing a happy sea son. Who originated the wel come festival? , .All Christian nations claim its origin, but . like many other things, we travel far back into the past and tind curious coin cidences of fir-trees, mistletoes and. evergreens., AH customs, However, are, typical of birth, resurrection or renewed life No doubt in America we aro i ri del) ted -..to the German for the --innovation as a public or popular feast. It has been said, some one ; saw a fir-tree forest covered with snow, over which, sparkled myriads, of stars,, and that this uiani-a'poet, ,an artist at heart cuume down and carried it home illumiriating.tt jcyith candles. So many , pretty stories, have been told that it would take hours to year, rehearse them all. The story is called "The Littlo The Romans had been celebrat- Stranger," and runsthus: ing the Saturnalia feast for sev- ,, In a small cottago on the bor en days, a period when all busi- dersofa forest lived a poor la ness was at a stand still, when borer : who , gained his scanty courts and schools were closed, living by cutting wood. He had the law was suspended, and no a wife and two children who battles were fought. Caste was helped him . in his work. The abolished, slaves were the equals boy s namtv was valentine, and of their masters, who sat at the girl was called Mary; J Theyi meat Willi Uieiil. mv; ummiuu nwu viviwt, , guuu vjuuuitJIl, were not forgotten, as a special and a great, comfort to their festival lor tnem was giveii, piuuiM- vuw . wmwi; evening, wherein they received clay dolls, this happy little family were sit- and where iudeed, great joy ting quietly around the hearth, prevailed. and snow and the wind raging Amid all this festivity of that outside, while they ate their January 7, B. C. 740, cor- supper oi ury nreaa, wnen a responding to our December V wiw. ueuiuuu me wm- 25th, -when thousands were as- dow, and a childish ; voice cried. sembled, three wise men from mH" wu'joui: wu, ier, me. in, the East arrived, saving, thov P.V: 1 am a loor little child, had been guided by a star,' and with nothing to eat, and no home had found a young babe inn, go to, ana snan aie oi cold manger, at Bethlehem, in Judca, alld hunger .unless you let me in." " TT 1 l ' 1 X K 1 where they prostrated. I hem- vaienune ana iviary jumped selves, bestowing on him frank- up from the table ; and ran to ncenco. myrrh and gold, gifts P?n the door, saying: 'Come . . I ' 1 . . . 1 1 1 1 1 I TTT 1 ' suitable for a king. Consterna- n, Pr AltTle cnilc- we nave ion reigned, but it was useless uot much to give you, but what- to rebel, and the feast of Qhrist- ever w have we will share with mas was unalterably fixed, rep- vou' ' - r , , resenting the birth of Christ. 1110 stranger-cnua- came in Thus were the revels of the Sat- and warmed his frozen hands and urnalia festival changed into a leewii tue uj e, ana tne cnuaren :everent but joyful ctilebration ;Save ! -alto of a day dair to all. eat, saying : ' Xou must be tired,. "On earth peace, good will to0' l)00r child. Lie on our bed; toward men," a spirit of love, we cim sleep oh tlie bench for charity, forgtveuess j)ervades, one night." and, asin4Hamlet:" Then said the' little stranger- 4,Some say that ever gainst that child: "Thank God ! for your kind ness to me." Then they took their guest into the little sleeping room, laid him on the bed, covered him over, and said to each other: "How. And then, they say, no spirit thankful we ought to be, We dares stir abroad, . have warm rooms and a cozy bed, The nights are wholesome ; then while this ' poor child has only no planets strike, , . heaven for his roof and the cold No fairy takes, nor witch hath earth for his sleeping place.' v ; power to charm, When their father and mother So hallowed and so gracious is went to bed, May and Valentine the time." laid quite contentedly on the bench near the fire, saying, . be fore they fell asleep: "The stran- season comes WTherein our Savior's birth is celebrated, . The bird of dawning singeth all night long; A Christmas Ltwiid. Most children , have seen a ger-child , will be so happy t"o Chrismas tree, and many - know night in his warm bed. that the pretty and pleasant cus- These kind, children had not torn of banging ; gifts" on its slept many . hours before Mary boughs comes from ;. Germany; awoke and softly whispered to, but perhaps few have heard or her brother: "Valentine," dear, read the story that is tpld to the wake, and listen to the sweet little German children, respect- music under the window ' 1 Yjju v ui, tm uusium. j men . vaienune ruDoea ins msr
The Liberty Register (Liberty, N.C.)
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Dec. 22, 1899, edition 1
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