CHRISTMAS BRIEFS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1919, 24 December 1918, Page 4

CHRISTMAS BRIEFS.

Tiie li'rsi Christ mas-card was produced in 184 G. Christmas is not observed as u festival by the Japanese. Thirteen different kinds of holly arc grown in Europe. The first collection of Christmas carols was issued in 1(121. The coldest Christmas ever known in Britain was (hat of 1860. The‘Armenian Christians still keep Christmas Day on January 6th. Before the war England exported 200 tons of plum pudding every year. The sun is above (he horizon in London on Christmas Day for 7 hours 47 minutes. Burning candles at Christmas is a custom derived from the Roman Saturnalia. Christmas-tree lanterns should bo weighted with sand to make them hang steadier and safer. Christmas was once abolished by Act of Barliament. This was daring the reign of Oliver Cromwell. Churches once used to he decorated with rosemary at Christmas, in special honour of the Virgin Mary. The Christmas carol exists in France, where it is known as “Noel,” and it is also existent in Oermany and Italy. In (he days when Christianity could mi force its will on people and princes, lighting was forbidden at Christ mas-lime. The hoar's head was the predecessor of roast beef at the Christmas dinner. .It was served with a lemon in 1 lie open moul h. Food experts have slated (hat there is more nutriment in the Christmas plum pudding than in ill roe time.-' its weigh! of prime meat. It is the cn.-lom at Christmas in Atlanta, State of Georgia, to liberate all prisoners whose only offences have been against the city ordinances.