Yule-Tide in Many Lands | Page 9

its
origin in mythological times and to be a vestige of the marvelous tree,
Yggdrasil.
Possibly Martin Luther thought of the old story of the tree and
imagined, as he traveled alone one cold night, how pretty the
snow-laden fir-trees along his path would look could they be lighted by
the twinkling stars overhead. But whether he had anything to do with it
or not, the tree is now one of the most important features of Yule-tide
among the Germans of all denominations.
Nearly ten million households require one or two trees each Christmas,
varying in height from two to twenty feet. Societies provide them for
people who are too poor to buy them, and very few are overlooked at
this happy holiday season.
The grand Yule-tide festival is opened on the eve of St. Nicholas Day,
December sixth; in fact bazaars are held from the first of the month,
which is really one prolonged season of merrymaking.
In Germany, St. Nicholas has a day set apart in his honor. He was born
in. Palara, a city of Lycia, and but very little is known of his life except
that he was made Bishop of Myra and died in the year 343. It was once
the custom to send a man around to personate St. Nicholas on St.
Nicholas Eve, and to inquire how the children had behaved through the
year, who were deserving of gifts, and who needed a touch of the birch
rods that he carried with him into every home. St. Nicholas still goes
about in some parts of the country, and in the bazaars and shops are
sold little bunches of rods, real or made of candy, such as St. Nicholas
is supposed to deal in. In some places Knight Rupert takes the place of
St. Nicholas in visiting the houses. But Kriss Kringle has nearly
usurped the place St. Nicholas once held in awe and respect by German
children.
[Illustration: TOY-MAKING IN GERMANY.

How the rough figures are chipped from the wooden ring coming from
the cross-section of a tree.]
Because St. Nicholas Day came so near to Christmas, in some countries
the Saint became associated with that celebration, although in Germany
the eve of his birthday continues to be observed. Germans purchase
liberally of the toys and confectionery offered at the bazaars, and
nowhere are prettier toys and confectionery found than in
Germany--the country which furnishes the most beautiful toys in the
world.
From the palace to the hut, Yule-tide is a season of peace, rest, joy, and
devotion. For three days, that is the day before Christmas, Christmas,
and the day after--known as Boxing-day--all business not absolutely
necessary to the welfare of the community is suspended. Stores,
markets, and bazaars present a festive appearance; the young girl
attendants are smiling and happy, and every one seems in the best of
humor.
Many of the poorer class, of Germans do not eat much meat, but at
Christmas all indulge in that extravagance, so the markets are unusually
crowded. They all like to purchase a plant or a flower for Christmas
and the flower stores are marvels of beauty and sweetness.
Every one is busy preparing for the great occasion. Grown folks
become children again in the simplicity of their enjoyment and enter
into the excitement with as much enthusiasm as do the children.
Newspapers are not generally published during the three days of
business suspension, for no one would have time or interest to read
them at such a season.
In many places churches are open during the week before Christmas,
for with all the bustle and excitement incident to the preparations, the
people, young and old, are filled with a deep spirit of devotion, and
never for an instant forget the significance of the occasion they
commemorate.

Churches are not trimmed nor are they made attractive with flowers,
songs, or in any special way, but the people go to listen with devotion
to the telling of the old, old story of Christ's birthday and of the first
Holy Night at Bethlehem.
The day before Christmas all are busy trimming up their homes and
preparing for the great day. Usually the mother of the household trims
the tree, not admitting any other member of the curious and expectant
family into the room. Tables are provided for holding the gifts, as every
one in the family is expected to make a gift to every other member, and
it is surprising to note the interest taken in these simple gifts--often a
soap-rose, an artificial flower, knitted lace, even sausages, cheese, or
butter--and with each and all the ever-present Christmas cake. It is
spiced and hard, cut into every manner of device--men, women,
animals, stars, hearts, etc. The Pfeffer Kuchen (pepper cakes) or some
similar cakes are to be