CHRISTMAS IN MANY LANDS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 51, 20 December 1900, Page 24

CHRISTMAS IN MANY LANDS.

Christmas is celebrated among Catholics the world over as the most glorious festival of the year. How it is kept in Great Britain and Ireland most of our readers know either from actual experience or by hearing of it from their parents. Let us take a glance at some of the countries of the Continent and nee how this great feast is observed. ITALY. In Rome the principal ceremonies of Christmas are held in the Church of St. Mary Major. It ia in this church that the relics of the crib in which our Saviour was laid are preserved ; these relics were brought from Bethlehem in the seventh century, under the Pontificate of Tope Theodore I. On Curi-tmaH Eve they are taken from their repository and placed on the altar in the sacristy chapel, and there are offered for the veneration of the faithful. The doors are thrown open at half-past four on Christmas morning ; after the singing of the matins and lauds a procession marches to the chapel where the sacred relics are exposed, and bears them through the ohurch, where they are placed on the Papal altar. At seven o'clock the first High Mass is celebrated, and after it the relics are held up to view. From early morn to night there is an unending stream of people in the church. From five in the morning to dawn the church is illuminated, and again, later on. in the evening. In the Franciscan Church of Ara Cooli the Sanrtismmo Bamhnio is venerated by thousands, and there little children, boys and girls of four and five year* of age, tell in simple language of the new-born God. The streets are gay with people in picturesque holiday attire, the air, balmy as June, is filled with confetti (tiny seed candies), and there is a general appearance of happiness. There is no Santa Claus in Italy, but instead there ia Hefana, a corruption of Epiphania, supposed to be a very cross old woman. Children are told that she was invited by the Magi to help them in their search for the Christ-Child, but she waited to put her house in order, and when ac last Bhe was ready, the Wise Men had gone, and ever since her life has been spent in a vain search for the Infant God. For His cake she cares for little children, and rewards the good, but punishes the bad. There ia a somewhat similar legend in Russia, but there the old woman, who is called Babonshka, only rewards the good.

SANTA CLAUS. Santa Claus, as is generally known, gets his name from St. Nicholas, a dear saint, the patron of children, of virgins, and of sailors. He waa an Archbishop, and many stories are told of his care for those in his charge. In Holland, where Santa Claus comes from, the children do not hang up their stockings, but they put their wooden shoes out and leave a window open for him. Sometimes he comes as a bishop, clad in appropriate vestments, and with him comes a colored servant, who carries a rod for naughty children. Occasionally the bishop rides through the streets on a gaily caparisoned steed, while his servant following on foot scatters cakes and candies among the children who troop after. GERMANY. In Germany Christmas is essentially a gala day for the children. It is the feast of the divine Child, and for His sake the feast of all children. The German mother thinks nothing a trouble which will add to the pleasure of the home circle. If on ordinary occasions she devotes herself to her family, how much does Bhe exert herself when Christmas cornea I Of course, the Christmas tree fills a prominent place in the festivities, and every one is remembered and represented in that tree of love. There is one feature of the Christmas celebration in Germany which deserves Bpecial notice. On Christmas Eve two quaintly attired figures make their round among certain houses. They are Knight Rupert and Santa Claus. At the door of the house a bag of fruit, toys and other good things is handed to Knight Rupert. Then he enters and inquires about the conduct of the children, and if there ia a good report from the parents, Santa Claus, who wears a white gown and a gilt belt, orders the contents of the bag to be emptied on the floor, and during the scramble which follows the two figures make their escape. FRANCE. In France the Christ-Child Himself brings the gifts for the children. In the villages of Alcatia He goes from house to house ringing a little bell and distributing gifta to the little ones. In Burgundy, the young men and women of the parish meet some weeks before Christmas and practice carols until Christmas Eve. Then there is a supper at which everyone goes in for enjoyment. After supper a circle gathers round the hearth, on which there is an enormous log, call the .mche, and the children are told : ' See now, if you are good this evening, Noel will rain down sugar pluma for you, and at the proper time the little ones find parcels of candies under each end of the log. Carols are sung to Xod (Christmas). Noel ! Noel ! Noel ! is heard on every side. The merrymaking and feasting are prolonged into midnight ; then the bells ring out on the frosty air, and the company g« in a body to the midnight Mass. After Mass they return home, salute the suche log, and resume their feast until morning, when they separate. SERVIA AND MONTENEGRO. Among the mountaineers of Servia and Montenegro each family chooses a young man as a guest for the Christmas festivities. He is called the Polaznik or Christmas guest. As ho approaches the door of the house he calls out, 'Christ is born,' and throws some corn inside the house. ' Welcome.' calls the housewife who stands ready to meet him. 'Of a truth He is born,' and she throws at the same time a handful of corn in his face. Then he enters the house, and going to the hearth picks up the remains of the largest log, knocks it against the crane so as to make the sparks fly, saying as he does so : 'So may our house-father have all good luck and happiness.' This he repeats, with another good wish, and then places on one end of the log an orange with a small coin on it, which the housewife takes. In return she presents him before he leaves with the leggings and socks worn by the mountaineers, and wiih a Christmas loaf. The Christmas guest next asks his host what kind of a Christmas he has, to which he anbwers : • Christmas has oome as a kind guest, my brother ; all have enough and all are merry.' Then the kiss of peace is exchanged with the family, the guest takes a seat at the hearth and the day is passed in innocent pleasure and feasting.