The Lincoln Times

How Our Allies Observed Yule Around Globe

Here at home, the vacant place at the fireside or Christmas dinner table need not mean that the absent one is without friendly participation in the joys of the season. Our millions of American servicemen overseas in occupied countries or other places will find Christmas observed in almost any land in which they find themselves and with a variety of customs that should be refreshing to a visitor.

Our soldiers in the Pacific and Far East will find the climate the strangest part of their Christmas day. For it will be midsummer in most places. On Pacific islands the G.I.s will find a surprising amount of Christmas spirit expressed by the warm-hearted people.

In the Philippines, for example, Christmas is one of the loveliest times of the year and is one of the oldest traditions of the Filipinos, to whom Christianity was brought in the 16th century. The celebration starts with morning masses several days before December 25. These are called misa de gallo (when the roosters are beginning to crow). Music by violins, tambourines and the organ adds to the impressiveness.

On Christmas Eve the Filipinos fast before the midnight service- a very solemn ceremony in palm-filled and lantern-lit churches. The fast is broken with a Christmas dinner of ham, stuffed chicken, fruits and nuts and hot chocolate. Carol singers go from house to house with a Belen-a reproduction of the Nativity scene and children kiss the hands of their parents for blessings —followed, of course, by gifts. Often the holiday branches are taken from bamboo trees and every home takes pride in its colored lanterns of original patterns.

Firecrackers in China.

Yanks in China will find more red fire crackers than are usually found on the Fourth of July in America. They are usually hung in festoons over store counters. No Chinese celebrates anything without firecrackers. The Christian Chinese have learned to love the carols of their new faith, and sing them with Chinese words, as they exchange gifts around the tree. With so many G.I.s in China this year, Christmas will be a major festival.

In India, particularly in the large cities, American boys will find Christmas customs like their own, observed by European residents.

In Australia and New Zealand, a white Christmas is unknown, but the customs are the same as in snowy American and English areas. While roast beef, turkey, plum pudding and mince pie are the substantial Christmas dinner much in the English tradition, the meal will be eaten on a warm summery day. Instead of poinsettias and green Christmas wreaths, the holiday blooms "down under" are pure white Christmas lilies, gladioli and delphiniums.

Allied troops still in the Middle East may find themselves near Bethlehem. Last Christmas many American boys from the Mediterranean made pilgrimages to the holy places and many left in that area may plan similar trips this year. If so, they may attend impressive services held by the Eastern Orthodox church on the Latin Christmas, beginning at 10 o'clock on Christmas Eve. The patriarch comes from Jerusalem with a troop of cavalry and ecclesiastic guards in gorgeous array. At the reading of the gospel the people leave the church and follow the clergy along a rock-hewn passage to the grotto of the Nativity. There a waxen image of the Infant is laid on the site said to be that of the manger.

In Europe many of our soldiers will worship in some of the oldest cathedrals on the continent. At St. Peter's in Rome, at Notre Dame in Paris and at other historic shrines of Christianity solemn and impressive services will usher in the day.

In Belgium, the Santa Claus part of Christmas will have passed by December 25, for their St. Nicholas Day is 19 days before that date. The old saint rides a white horse in Belgium, instead of driving a reindeer and the children leave hay in their stockings for the horse to eat in return for what the good saint leaves for them.

Twins will spend Christmas with Allies.