Jason Elmer Hammond

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”