Jason Elmer Hammond

“ Hail, Christmas Queen. I have worked through all the year to fill boys hearts with Christmas feeling, and now it is Christmas time and I am happy. All the good boys are waiting for Santa Claus, and they are all going to do something to make Christmas happy for someone else. ”

“ Germany is the children's paradise through the Christmas season, for this is the true home of the Christmas tree. So many of these are required that the raising of the trees is an extensive industry, and many train loads are carried to the cities in anticipation of the day. The market places appear almost like forests of evergreens that spring up at Christmas time. The tree is usually brought home and concealed in some cool place till the evening of the twenty-third, when it is placed in the most favorable position in the best room and the doors are closed. ”

“ The singing of carols is another beautiful custom that still prevails in some parts of England, France, Germany, and Russia, where boys and girls go about singing Christmas songs beneath the windows of every house and receiving money in return, which they spend for Christmas goodies or articles more needed in their homes. In Russia, one of the singers carries a large star as the emblem of the light that brightens the universe. ”

“ During this season of the year many of our English steamers have among their freight great quantities of mistletoe. This bit of Christmas beauty from Merrie England will pass the custom-house without charge, and add its beauty to our Christmas evergreens. No evergreen is more famed in story or more celebrated in song. Its opposite fleshy leaves and beautiful pearl-like berries have long been held in high reverence. Among the earliest myths of the mistletoe is that from the Scandinavians:—
Balder, a great God, was warned in dreams that his life was in danger. ”

“ Here in America the children are apt to scorn a present that is strictly useful, but it is not so in Germany. Although each child is remembered with some little toy, the gifts are most of them practical. One child will receive a much needed
pair of shoes, another a new dress or a pair of mittens. The fact that these come at Christmas time gives added value to even the simplest articles. An orange or an apple coming from the magic tree tastes sweeter than any other, and Christmas shoes or cap are enjoyed as such until they are worn out. ”

“ The Christmas dinner of the birds is a pretty Norwegian custom. Every barn door or gable is decorated with a sheaf of grain fastened to a long pole, even the very poorest people managing to save a few stalks for their feathered pets, special dinner is also given the cattle on this day, because Christ was laid in a manger at his birth; and the Norwegian children believe that at midnight of Christmas-eve, all the cattle turn their faces inward the east and bow down in worship of Christ. ”

“ The French children generally believe that, while they sleep, the Christ-child comes down from the sky, accompanied by a band of angels bringing books and playthings. These gifts they find in the morning placed on both ends of the Christmas log. But in Alsace, the dispenser of Christmas gifts is supposed to be a lady robed in white, who has long yellow hair and a golden crown ornamented with tiny candles. She carries a basket of presents in one hand; a bell in the other; and a mysterious attendant, called Hans Trapp (of whom all children are afraid) , always rides with her on the same donkey. ”

“ As the mother-hurries in and out of the room, the excitement of the children grows more and more intense, and the air of mystery pervading the whole house is one of the enjoyable features of the holiday season. ”

“ Your name is Peace. Do you make people peaceful as Christmas time?
Peace—Yes, and all the year. I keep little girls quiet and good and keep them from being afraid, and I make the little boys play their games without quarreling.
First Page—Your Majesty, the other Christmas Fairies are coming. (Enter First Fairy.)
Queen—Welcome to our fairy court. Sprite. Where have you been and what have you done?
First Fairy (girl) —I am the fairy of Christmas Beauty. I have gone through the world with my holly and mistletoe and evergreen. I have helped to trim the churches ”

“ Nicholas is sometimes called "Father Christmas," and it is probable that the Santa Claus myth really originated in that country from the practice of a good old nobleman who, long, long ago, went about once a year distributing clothing, food, and toys to all the poor children he could find. ”

“ Oh, how we have worked! There were the dolls and drums and skates and books and dolls' carriages and toy engines and boats and wagons and candy and oranges and nuts and warm mittens and pop-corn and toy furniture and—and—Oh, so many things all to be packed in that little sleigh; and the reindeer to harness and—Oh, there will be some happy children tomorrow!
All—Welcome to dear old Christmas.
(All sing with school any suitable Christmas song. At end of song Queen leaves throne and, followed by Maids, Pages, and Fairies in procession, walks from room )
—From Teacher's World. ”

“ Of peace on earth, good will to men."
CHRISTMAS.
December Twenty-five.
* It both these exercises are used, it may be wise to omit some of the shorter ones.
(Give to the school room a festive appearance by means of evergreen wreaths, festoons, clusters of holly, and everything in keeping with the day. "Merry Christmas" made of cotton batting sprinkled with diamond dust makes a pretty motto.)
SANTA CLAUS MYTHS.
From Department of Public Instruction. ”