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Show Christmas Eve in Syria Time for Earnest Prayer There is little merriment in Syria on Christmas Eve. It Is more a time of prayer. In both Syria and nearby Lebanon, the Christmas season begins be-gins on December 4th and is not concluded until January 6th. In these two ancient countries there Is no Santa Claus. The Syrian believes his gifts come from the camel, for legend tells that the youngest camel to accompany the Magi was tired and weary upon reaching the stable at Bethlehem and the new-born Saviour blessed it and gave it Immortal life. In the Lebanon district the "magic mule" is the gift bearer. Children sprinkle freshly mown grass from the thres-' thres-' hold to their beds to entice the mule to visit them during the night. All during the Christmas season, pilgrimages are frequently made from Syria to Bethlehem. Then, on New Years Day, comes the celebrating. cele-brating. Presents are exchanged and children go from one house to another, receiving presents and gifts of money, like children everywhere. |