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Show Present Christmas Customs, Pagan Survivals, Must Be Christianized By REV. CHARLES B. KETCHAM, Cleveland. EKCAUSE the celebration of Christmas became general before any large body of custom and ritual had had time to grow up around the day, many of the old pagan observances were taken over bodily by the Christians. Some of these symbols and customs cus-toms were given a new meaning.Sf brought their old pagan associations associa-tions over with them; some lost their old meaning without taking on any pew significance. The use of the holly is an example of a pagan survival that has lost its original meaning without gathering any clear-cut new significance. To the early sun worshipers, the holly berries stood for the drops of blood shed by a mythical hero who lost his life rescuing the sun from a great dragon that had seized it and was carrying it away, so that the earth experienced ex-perienced shorter days and colder weather. To these survivals of paganism, the church, of course, added new customs cus-toms of her own as, for instance, the placing of a lighted candle in the window on Christmas eve to guide the Christ child. Christmas carols and legends of the Christ child soon began to gather about the day to give it religious significance. But even today there is more folklore and ancient custom in our observance ob-servance of Christmas than there is of Christian significance. The giving giv-ing and receiving of gifts bulks larger than religion with most people. Not a few even of our Sunday school entertainments feature Santa Claus more than they do the Christ. This condition of affairs is a challenge to the church. The Christmas customs that we cannot thoroughly Christianize must be replaced by new customs that will emphasize the meaning of the day. The elements that can be infused with the Christ spirit, must be, if they are to be preserved. |