Yule-Tide in Many Lands | Page 3

by Christians. The
transition from the old to the new significance of Yule-tide was brought
about so quietly and naturally that it made no great impression on the
mind of the masses, so nothing authentic can be learned of the early
observance of Christmas.
The holly, laurel, mistletoe, and other greens used by the Druids still
served as decorations of the season, not as a shelter for fairies, as in
former days, but as emblems of resurrection and of immortal hope.
The glorious luminary of day, whether known as Balder, Baal, Sol, or
any other of the innumerable names by which it was called by the
primitive peoples, still gladdens the hearts of mortals at Yule-tide by
"turning-back" as of old; only to-day it yields its place to a Superior
Power, in whose honor Yule-tide is observed.
* * * * *
All Christendom owes a debt of gratitude to its pagan forbears for the
pleasant features of many of its holidays and especially for those of

Yule-tide. The Fathers of the early church showed rare wisdom in
retaining the customs of these ante-Christian festivals, imbuing them
with the spirit of the new faith and making them emblematic of a purer
love and hope.
New Year's Day as a feast day is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, on
record. It is mentioned by Tacitus in the First Century, but first referred
to as a Christian festival about the year 567.
In Rome the day was dedicated by Numa to the honor of god Janus, for
whom Julius Cæsar named the month of January. Numa ordained that it
should be observed as a day of good-humor and good-fellowship. All
grudges and hard feelings were to be forgotten. Sacrifices of cake, wine,
and incense were to be made to the two-faced god who looked forward
and backward. Men of letters, mechanics, and others were expected to
give to the god the best they had to offer of their respective arts. It was
the great occasion of the entire year, as it is now in many countries.
The date of New Year's Day has varied among different nations.
Among the Egyptians, Chinese, Jews, and Romans it has been observed
on dates varying from March first to December twenty-fifth. It was as
late as the Sixteenth Century before the date of January first was
universally accepted as the New Year by the Romans. Nations retaining
the Gregorian calendar, such as Russia and Greece, observe it thirteen
days later than those who reckon time by the Julian calendar.
Among northern nations the love of fire and light originated the custom
of kindling bonfires to burn out the old year and destroy all evil
connected with its past. Light has long been an expression of joy and
gladness among all branches of the Aryan race.
The Greek and Latin Churches still term Christmas the "Feast of
Lights," and make it a period of brilliancy in Church and home. The
Protestant covers the Christmas tree with lighted candles and builds a
glowing fire on the hearth. The innate love of light and warmth--the
inheritance from the sun-worshipers of ages past--is always dominant
in humanity at Yule-tide festivals.

"The King of Light, father of aged Time, Hath brought about that day
which is the prime, To the slow-gliding months, when every eye Wears
symptoms of a sober jollity, And every hand is ready to present Some
service in a real compliment."
[Illustration: KING OLAF'S CHRISTMAS.
The King that gave Christianity to Norway.]
KING OLAF'S CHRISTMAS
At Drontheim, Olaf the King Heard the bells of Yule-tide ring, As he
sat in his banquet-hall, Drinking the nut-brown ale, With his bearded
Berserks hale And tall.
Three days his Yule-tide feasts He held with Bishops and Priests, And
his horn filled up to the brim; But the ale was never too strong, Nor the
Saga-man's tale too long, For him.
O'er his drinking-horn, the sign He made of the cross divine, As he
drank, and muttered his prayers; But the Berserks evermore Made the
sign of the Hammer of Thor Over theirs.
The gleams of the firelight dance Upon helmet and haubert and lance,
And laugh in the eyes of the King; And he cries to Halfred the Scald,
Gray-bearded, wrinkled, and bald, "Sing!"
"Sing me a song divine, With a sword in every line, And this shall be
thy reward." And he loosened the belt at his waist, And in front of the
singer placed His sword.
"Quern-bitter of Hakon the Good, Wherewith at a stroke he hewed The
millstone through and through, And Foot-breadth of Thoralf the Strong,
Were neither so broad nor so long, Nor so true."
Then the Scald took his harp and sang, And loud through the music
rang The sound of that shining word;