Show aste I 1 I 1 aff CHRISTMAS Is the greatest day IF in the year for children easter holds a similar position for the adult members of the race the world prepares to welcome it with hymns hymn g psalms aad and spiritual songs wherever the light of christianity has penetrated it Is a fes festival festl cal of far g greater renter antiquity than christmas and at one time marked the dawn of a new year the tha vernal equinox occurs about the of 0 march when winter ends end s and spring introduces the coming summer the oldest records recarda of history storY tell that easter was always a religious festival 1 though far more ancient than christianity bonfires were kindled in rome and the sacred fire cre in the temple of vesta was renewed on the 1st ast of march each year similar customs prevailed in germany and england these customs ling lingered eTed in certain parts of the british isles into the nineteenth century in scotland they were called the need fires which were produced by the friction of two pieces of wood which created the flame this was quite a religious ceremony and was accompanied by singing dancing and the games the cakes were precursors of easter cakes a survival of which Is still with us ns in hot cross buns the music of easter Is generally of a more advanced character than that of palestrina was commissioned to write suitable music christmas carols predominate at the christmas festival but there are few carols at easter where the music Is more in keeping with the resurrection and ascension of christ easter has probably had greater influence in the development of music than any other period of the year the council of trent assembled at this season in 1502 when the great reformation in church music took place composers of this time had introduced profane melodies as the principal theme in the masses and all kinds of ornamentation of an unsuitable character the council swept the whole system from the church and commissioned palestrina to write suitable music tor for service ne ile did this and has since often been referred to as the saviour of church music it was the story of the resurrection of christ that inspired schultz to write the first oratorio orlo on that subject ile ha wrote the passion according to the four evangelists and the seven last words and history accords to him the title of the father of oratorio what would handel have done without easter the Mess messiah lah stands out as his greatest effort and there Is no composition even today which has as ai great an influence on the people as this oratorio the resurrection of christ has inspired more lofty thoughts and aspirations in poets painters and composers than any other subject and has baj produced greater works after the long cold winter days we are waiting to welcome the easter sun so we may join in greeting as we slog sing chrlot the lord in risen todor alleluia Allt lnla |