Show the origin of christmas customs it Is interesting to trace the origin ol 01 festival customs to those connected with superstitions of classic observances J and it will surprise many to learn that present day sports very closely resemble the celebrations ob served of old in honor of saturn or bacchus the roman saturnalia which oc burred in the winter solstice were a season of great festivity and rejoicing honored by many privileges and ex eruptions empt ions the spirit of gaiety had free charter and even quarrels were suspended u be resumed after the holidays As a manifestation of the gratitude eit felt at the renewed prospects of the returning march of the sun gifts were exchanged and special hymns were sung these latter were really the roman representatives of the modern carol at the Satur nall t the roman feast ed sang and danced as we do at christmas A ruler or king was ap pointed who enjoyed certain lives tives he presided over the sports ot of the season probably he Is the an aestor of the lord of misrule who ex excised a similar power in more recent times merriment was a matter of general concern and the joyous spirit of en tire districts Is now narrowed to tarn fam lly parties it Is the touch that makes the whole world kin hin and it Is a pleasant reminder that after all history re peats itself |