CHRISTMAS TIDK. 359 



DEC. 24. SS. Thrasilla and Emiliana, virgins. 

 St. Gregory of Spoleto, priest and martyr, 304. 

 Vigil of the Nativity, ov Christmas Eve. 



Obs. SS. Thrasilla and Emiliana were two of the three annts of St. Gregory 

 the Great. They early renounced the vain pleasures of the world for a recluse 

 and religious life. Tlieir sister Gordiana also took to a religious life, but un- 

 happily apostatized, and got into great tioulile in the world. The other two 

 died faithful, resigned, and happy. Tlirusilla died first, and, appearing to 

 Emiliana in a vision, invited her to celebrate with her the Epiphany in eternal 

 bliss; the pious sister sickened and died almost immediately. All, says the 

 historian, would fain call cut, Let me die the death of the righteous, but, he 

 adds, all who would so die must also mend their lives. 



Frankin sense Pinus taeda fv. 



The ceremonies wliich take place on Christmas Eve are of a most pleasing 

 character, and serve to amuse us in this dreary season of midwinter. The 

 houses and churches stuck up with Evergreens and their beautiful berries, the 

 merry carols sung about the s'reeis and in the villages, the waits or night mu- 

 sic, the lights in the churches and before the images of Our Lady, and the cheer- 

 ful bells, wliich begin their peal at midnight to' hail the birthday of the Lord, 

 whom all true Christians regard as theSalvator of mankind, are naturally cal- 

 culated to impress the imagination with joyous ideas of the most lively sort; 

 and these are in no sm;ill degree enhanced by the very numerous early recol- 

 lections of childhood with which Christmas and its festivities are connected. 



Christmas Carols continue now to be sung, and often continued all night, 

 with great festivity, mirth, and good cheer; and the hmre Christmas log is 

 often lighted, which continues burning all next day, and even till the morrow 

 of Cliri-tnias. 



The following is written by our poet Milton, whom we have often spoken of 

 before as having a Catholic turn of mind. It seems to be composed for Mattins 

 or Laudes on the morning of the Nativity, and being fit to be recited after the 

 midnight mass which takes place tonight, we insert ft on the vigil : 



Oration for ilie Morn of Christmas, 

 This is the month, and this the happy morn. 



Wherein tlie Son of Heaven's eternal King", 

 Of Wedded Haid and Virgin Mother born, 



Our great Redemption from above did brin^. 



For so our holie sages once did sing. 

 That he our deadlie forfeit should release. 

 And with his Fatiier work us a perpetual peace. 

 That glorious form, that light unsufferable. 



And that larbeaniing blaze of IVIajestT, 

 Wherewith he wont at Heaven's high Council Table 



To sit the midst of Trinal Unity, 



He laid aside, and, here with us to be. 

 Forsook the Courts of everlasting day. 

 And cliose with us a darksome house of mortal. clay. 

 Say, heavenlie Muse ! shall not thy sacred vein 



Afford a present to the Infant God, 

 Had thou no verse, no hymn, no solemn strain. 



To welcome Cliri^t to tliis Ids new abodi', 



Now while Heaven's way by the Sun's beam uiirode 

 Hath yet no point of the approaching light, 

 And all the spangled host keep watch iu squadrons bright. 



See how from far upon the eastern road 



The stcirtled wizards haste with odours sweet, 

 O run prevent them witli tiiy humble Odr, 



And place it at tl>e saintlie Virgin's feet. 



Have thou the honour first our Lord to greet. 

 And join thy voice unto the Angels* choir. 

 From out his secret altar toiich'd with hallow'd fire. 



The Hvmn tliat follows'this is truly Christim, and shews the great mind of 

 the author elevating itself over the prejudices of education, and soaring in re- 

 gions far above the sphere of the pagan mythology with which his young mind 

 had been filled. How contrasted to the ^6rdid soul of Spencer, who prostituted 

 talents worthy the highest employment to the vile purpose of blasphemous 

 adulation to an unworthy queen. 



