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We beseech all our youthful readers not to pass by our Christmas chapter.

We wish we possessed an abler pen, that would induce every family in the land, rich or poor, to celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave his life for us. Even if some learned men think the twenty-fifth of December is not the day Christ was born, what does it concern us? We know Christ brought love and charity into the world, therefore in gratitude we should celebrate his birth; the exact period is of but little consequence.

Seldon informs us that the Christian church, desirous of abolishing the Saturnalia of the Romans, a festival instituted in honor of Saturn, appointed a festival in honor of her Divine Master, Jesus Christ, to supersede it. But the observance of the day did not become general until about the year 500. The reason why the evening before Christmas day is celebrated, is, that in the primitive church the day was always observed as the Sabbath, and like it, preceded by an eve, or vigil. It was once believed that if we were to go into a cow-house at twelve o’clock, on the night before Christmas, all the cattle would be found kneeling. Many firmly believe the bees sing in their hives Christmas Eve, to welcome the approaching day.

We deck our houses and churches with evergreen, because at this sacred time the earth, then wrapped in darkness, was, as it were, clothed in living green by the birth of Jesus Christ, our Saviour; fit emblems are they, of the never-dying spirit of our Lord and Master.

The laurel is used with other evergreens at Christmas, because of its use among the ancient Romans, as the emblem of peace, joy, and victory. In the Christian sense it may be applied to the victory gained over the powers of evil by the coming of Christ. The mistletoe is used in all Christmas decorations by the English. Its berries and its green are very beautiful. It is a parasitic plant, and grows on the oak tree. A branch of mistletoe is often hung over a door-way on Christmas Eve, and if a gentleman can kiss a lady as she passes under the mistletoe, he has on that evening a right to the privilege.

The evergreens mostly used in America are hemlock, spruce, laurel, and the varieties of ground pine. The bright red bitter sweet berries gathered in the fall add to the beauty of the wreaths.

Many have asked the meaning of initials affixed to crosses on that day, such as I. H. C., and I. H. S. The former stands for three Latin words: “Jesus Humanitatis Consolator”—Jesus the Consoler of mankind; the latter, “Jesus Hominum Salvator”—Jesus the Saviour of Men. On some very ancient crosses are found I. N. R. I., “Jesus Nazarenus, Rex Judæorum”—Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.

“Yule” was a name anciently given to Christmas, and it was the custom to select a large log to burn on Christmas Eve, for in those days the old-fashioned fireplaces would hold very large logs of wood. The festivities of that night lasted until the log burned out. This log was called the “Yule log.”

The Scandinavians watched the declining rays of the sun from early spring even to December, with great anxiety, and erected slanting dolmens to detect the first certainty of its approaching return; and when informed that its face was once more turned towards their habitations, over which their enemy, the snow, had already usurped his authority, they brought the “Yule log” to the fire, and danced, and sung, and shouted, and drank, the grand carouse of all the year, making the frozen air jubilant with their Christmas carols under the mistletoe.

Our Pilgrim Fathers had suffered so much persecution from the Church of England, that they abolished all church festivities. Their persecutions made them austere in all things. They looked upon church festivals as devices of the evil spirits, forgetting that He who gave us the bright sun, lovely flowers, and sparkling streams, rejoices to see man cheerful as well as good.

Our Pilgrim Fathers suffered much for our good, and now our noble free country can afford to have many festivals.

The celebration of Christmas is fast winning its way, even in New England. The beautiful custom of decorating our homes and our churches yearly increases throughout the land. What can be more appropriate than to celebrate the birthday of our Saviour with garlands and songs, and the affectionate interchange of gifts.

God gave us his only begotten Son; we in humble imitation give gifts to our loved ones. God’s deeds seem consistent with this day. He, whose birth we celebrate, gave his life for us. Can we restrain our hands from relieving, our hearts from sympathizing with the poor, the bereaved, and the distressed?

The custom of giving presents at Christmas originated in Germany. It was derived from the ancient feast of Sol. The children of many Americans, who remember Christmas, hang up their stockings Christmas Eve, thinking “Santa Claus” will come in the night and fill them with gifts. Some, to avoid being roused at too early an hour, have taken a large bag, as a receptacle for presents, and the father or mother of the family in due time distribute the presents. Others have had a table spread with their gifts of love, or place their gifts carefully under the breakfast plates, or on the chairs at the table. But the German custom of Christmas trees is by far the most desirable. We wish it was universal here. The writer of this assisted in preparing almost the first tree in our portion of New England, but since then the Christmas tree has spread far and wide; a tree more productive of pleasure and fun was never before planted.

We will give some simple directions for the arrangement of the Christmas tree, hoping to induce some families, who have felt a Christmas tree was too expensive, to plant it this year. This tree is within the means of the poor as well as the rich, by the exercise of the united skill of any family.

We think all such festivals and family meetings assist in making “the home” the dearest spot on earth.