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Show 4 The Magna TimeWest Valley New, Kearn Chronicle Thunday, December 14, 2000 Christmas Christmas is a time for new and old traditions By FAUN BANDEKA Kaam Chronicle Editor Christmas is a time of traditions. Traditions provide family members with a sense of belonging because of the happiness and joy they bring to those who share in their memory. Traditions from ones homeland, when circumstances cause that one is far from home, lighten the heart and bring smiles to the faces and tears to the eyes. Customs and traditions are very important to almost everyone. They can belong to very small families and also to entire cultures and countries. We have picked a few Christmas customs and cultural traditions from around the world that we would like to share with our readers. We apologize that we cannot included something from every country, but hope you will appreciate these. No matter where you or your ancestors are from, may you respect and enjoy the holiday traditions we share with you. Israel is where Christmas began. Every Christmas season, services begin at Shepherds Field with a procession of worshipers who walk from the field to the Church of the Nativity, which is believed to have been built over the location of Christs birth. In the Nativity Garden, there is a star marking the location of the manger and the floor around is marked in Latin Hie De Virgine Maria Jesus Christus Natus Est, Here of the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ was bom. Sweden begins their holiday season on December 13th, which is St. Lucia Day. The oldest daughter of the family awakens early in the morning to prepare Lucia buns and coffee to bring to her parents. Lucia wears a crown of green leaves with white lighted candles upon her head. She wears a white dress with a red sash. Lucia is remembered for her acts of kindness to the Christians during the 4th century when they fled from persecutors and death, hiding in dark caves and tunnels. Lucia brought the Christians food while wearing a crown of candles so she could see in the dark. Christmas celebrations are enjoyed and family and friends meet to enjoy a traditional holiday smorgasbord meal. Australia enjoys a warm summer Christmas in the southern hemisphere. Many Australians bring their English roots to the seasonal celebrations. They enjoy turkey dinners, plum pudding and a wonderful list of other favorite foods. After Christmas gift giv ing, many families to enjoy a huge holiday picnic feast on the beach. Then people meet at the center of town for Christmas carol singing in the evening. This custom is unique to Australia. Germany is one of many European countries which begins the holiday season on the Eve of St. Nicholas Day, December 6th. Children put their shoes out by the fireplace and await the arrival of St Nick, who brings small toys and candy to good children and twigs, charcoal or coal to naughty boys and girls. Christmas Eve the family enjoys a wonderful meal together. While the meal is being cleared, one of the parents usually sneaks into the parlor to secretly decorate the Christmas tree lighted with real candles. When all is prepared and the gifts placed under the tree, the doors are opened and the children can at last enjoy the beautiful holiday tree. Presents are exchanged and children often enjoy special plates of foods prepared especially for diem. Germany has given die world the Christmas tree tradition. Netherlands children watch Sinterdaas arrive on a ship. After leaving the ship, Sinterdaas or St. Nick rides through town on a white horse with his side-kicthe mischievous Schwarte Piet or Black Pete. k, The children place hay and carrots in their wooden shoes for St. Nicks horse on Dec. 5th in anticipation of wonderful treats and gifts being left in the morning for good children. Mexico is the home of the Las Posadas procession, which begins nine days before Christmas. A lead child, dressed as an angel, heads a procession of and figboys and girls carrying farolas (lanterns), ures of Mary and Joseph. Adults and musicians follow the children. Each day a house is chosen for the evening celebration. When the procession arrives at the house, the group divides into two groups repreThe chilsenting the innkeepers and the holy family. all the on dren wander through the house knocking The shelter. innkeepers doors and calling out for behind the doors remind the children that they are not an inn. Eventually, a door is opened and the and group meets to kneel in prayer before the party lot a of food and much with fun begins outdoors for is This days, fireworks. eight repeated process but the ninth day, Christmas Eve, the procession is more spectacular. An image of the Christ child is put into the tiny crib or manger in the nacimiento (nativity). Italy enjoys La Befana, a kindly female witch who brings gifts and candy to children on January 6th, Day of Epiphany or Three Kings Day. Denmark, as well as other Scandinavian countries, has a wonderful custom of leaving bunches of grain outside for the birds. Danish homes are decorated with red and white woven hearts which are hung on the Christmas tree and filled with treats, and the red and white Donneborgs (Danish flags). Like Germany, trees are celebrated in secret and the children must wait until Christmas Eve to see the surprises Julmanden (Santa Claus) leaves for them. England has given us the Christmas card tradition, the great Christmas story, Christmas Carol, and many of our great Christmas carols. The children eagerly await the arrival of Father Christmas and can hardly go to sleep in the anticipation of what he will leave them on Christmas morning. While the family prepares the Christmas meals, the children can also enjoy Christmas crackers (Twinkie sized and beautifully wrapped packages that, when the string is pulled, give a loud firecracker sound) People in England enjoy a huge feast which includes turkey, goose, stuffed onions and plum pudding. December 26th, in most countries where there is a strong English influence, is Boxing Day. This day received its name from the tradition of giving small boxed gifts to friends, workers and others. Boxing Day is as equally filled with celebration as Christmas Day. Argentina people share a quaint custom in some homes. To simulate snow found on trees in the forests in the northern hemisphere, they put cotton on the evergreen trees in their homes. People drink j iced beverages during the month of December and spaces to help them keep stay in cool while it is so hot. On the eve of January 6th, Three Kings Day, children put their shoes by their beds or underneath the Christmas tree in hopes that the Magi will bring them their gifts as they travel on their way to Bethlehem to see the Christ child. America enjoys the combination of Christmas traditions from all over the world which have been brought by immigrants seeking a new future in this country. May you enjoy your own seasonal traditions, as well as the traditions of the Christmas tree, filling of the stockings by Santa, gift giving, watching great Christmas movies with your family, enjoying a luscious and spectacular feast, shopping for just the right gifts for loved ones, lighting candles and Yule logs, and worshiping and celebrating with a grateful heart, in your own way, the birth of that tiny babe in Bethlehem. The staff of the Keams Chronicle wishes all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Consumer alert holiday scams The Better Business Bureau of Utah is issuing a consumef alert on two scams that are targeting consumers during the holiday season. Hard to find toy e The first alert deals with purchasing of the very difficult to find Sony Playstation 2 and related on-lin- products. Better Business Bureaus in the United States and Canada have identified web sites that are falsely advertising the availability of thousands of the popular electronic games and related products. Two of the sites identified are www.ps2storcusa.com and www.ps2storecanada.com. The company sponsoring the web-site- s is Playstation Store of USA andor Canada in New Canada. Brunswick, Sony Computer Entertainment has advised the BBB that any web-sit- e commercial claims of having thousands of Sony Playstation2 products for sale arc bogus. Canadian law enforcement agencies are pursuing action against the company. Major credit card companies have added the scam to their list of potential credit card frauds because consumers have reported that they have been requested to copy both sides of their credit cards and them to the company to secure the order for die Playstation2 computer game. Gifting Game is Illegal A type of gifting scam similar to those that swept Utah earlier this year is again raising its head, under a noble, perhaps even holiday related title called, People Helping People. A gifting scam is really nothing more than a pyramid scheme, explains Russ Behrmann, CEO of the BBB of Utah. If you get in early, you receive money from those that join later. Of course you could also be the target of prosecution. If you get in later, youll never realize the earnings promised. Christmas Goodies FEveryone loves to eat Christmas treats. These recipes come from the homes of our staff members at the Keams Chronicle. Theyre delicious and easy to make. We hope you enjoy them. Honey Taffy This yummy treat reminds me of my childhood days back in the 50s when a neighbor of ours, who kept bees, would always make honey taffy for Halloween and Christmas treats. I loved the stuff and still do. Boil cups of honey, ft teaspoon salt, and 1 cup sugar until it reaches the hard bail stage. Remove from heat and stir in ft tablespoons butter. Pour into pan and cool until it can be handled. Pull until porous. Cut into pieces and wrap each piece in wax paper. Pecan Brittle The People Helping People pyramid scheme uses terminology, and marketing techniques that are specifically targeting conservative, religious communities. The small $5.00 entry fee is attracting consumers of all income levels. So far were just receiving initial phone calls from people who want to know if weve heard of this scam in Utah., warns Behrmann. This is the phase of the scam that states like Michigan experienced several months ago. Today theyre reporting to us that they are starting to see vicums. 1 cup sugar 2 squares butter 14 C. water In a 11 x 17 ungreased pan, lay pecan halves. Set aside. Melt butter in heavy pan, add sugar and water. Cover pan and let mixture come to a boil over high heat. Remove cover, reduce heat slightly and continue boiling, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until a light caramel color or until it reaches a crackling stage. Pour mixture over pecan halves. Cool ar.d break in pieces. Have from Caramels 4 cups sugar 2 cups white corn syrup ft teaspoon salt 1 large can evaporated milk 1 tablespoon vanilla 1 quart whipping cream Mix sugar, syrup, salt and 2 cups of the cream. Bring to a boil. As mixture cooks, gradually add the rest of the cream. Stir constantly. As mixture cooks down, add canned milk slowly. Cook to firm ball stage of 242 degrees. Remove from heat, add vanilla and nuts, if desired. Pour into buttered 9x1 pan. When set, caramel wrap squares in waxed paper. Tis the season... The Magna Times and West Valley News is in search of the best Christmas decorations in the city. . If you have a neighbor that is lighting up the neighborhood with outstanding, unusual, unique or festive holiday decorations let us know about it by calling the paper at 250-565- a Merry Cltri: at The Lights of Our Memories Still Bum i Today. December 16th is the Annual Christmas Luminary at View Cemetery. Join us from 5:00 to 9:00 as we honor Valley loved ones that have passed away. Our Christmas Memory Tree will be displayed in the Funeral Home for families to place an ornament upon in behalf of a loved one that has passed away. Warm yourselves with hot cider and cookies. Donations will be acccepted for the benefit of The Sharing Place, a Grief Support Center for children who have had a significant loss in their lives. 6. We will publish pictures some of the decoration and addresses of where residents can ooh and ahh in the Dec. 21 issue of the Newspaper i Vuxey'vieW Ml- WJ MU ASH M M it. 4335 West 4 100 South 969-- 1 OS I A |