December 25, 1878 as recounted in the local paper:
Christmas! The day of all days in the calendar! The one day of the three hundred and sixty-five observed by all, religious and worldly, Christian and pagan; and so it was observed yesterday in Saint Paul. As there were people of many minds, the day was observed in variety of ways, each following the bent of one’s inclination.
A younger Archbishop John Ireland c. 1862 (MHS)
When the somber toll of the bell warned that the Day of Days was about to dawn, people of all ranks and conditions hastened from their homes and out into the piercing cold air hied them to houses of prayer—they would hail the natal day of salvation, as did the angel, with a ‘Glory to God in the Highest’.
There was 5 o’clock Mass at the Cathedral and a pontifical Mass at 10, when the Right Reverend Bishop John Ireland preached the sermon—a long and able discourse lasting over an hour.
At the House of Hope Church, seven hundred and fifty wide-eyed, bright faced, ruddy-cheeked, merry-hearted children assembled for the annual Christmas party.
At the city jail, Sheriff King served turkey to all the inmates in observance of the day. It was Christmas, and even to these unfortunates it came not without certain cheering.
Many people observed their Christmas at home with visiting friends and relations, and all day from early morn to til’ dewy eve no roistering, boistering hilarity was heard belching forth from low goggeries.
Saint Paul was sober. Her people spent Christmas wisely and rationally in true enjoyment of social intercourse.
So was reported December 25th in the Capital City.
May your celebration and observance of the opening of the Christmas Season (the Twelve Days of Christmas) be filled with joy and deep gratitude for the gift of His only begotten Son.
Fr. Steve Adrian
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