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Show Page 2. The Garland Times, Dec. 24, 1975 Leader-Th- e UU I j Mty Cards Then As Now, Carols Were Holiday Tradition j Back in the lS90's, every home had a piano and one of the favorite pastimes was to gather around the family piano to sing the popular tunes of the day. At Christmastime, the joyous singing of Christinas carols was an well-furnish- Mm to Back in the late 1800's, sending greeting cards to and relatives at Christmas came into vogue for the first time. friends Those early Christmas cards were quite different from the cards you receive in your holiday mail today. Many greeting cards during the Victorian era featured satin fringes. Popular designs were centered about such subjects as birds, animals, flowers, and children in grown-uposes. p The first Christmas card was designed by John Horsley for Sir Henry Cole in 1843. It read, "To Uncles, Aunts, & Cousins, A merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you." The illustration featured a family celebration, with glasses raised in a toast. Another card of this era, features angels with trumpets and peacock wings, along with the message: "Shout with joy ye mortals pray for Christ is born on Christmas Day." It was published by Louis Prang, a pioneer in the manufacture of holiday greeting Cal-co- tt Handel's "Messiah" Is A Beloved Tradition Of Christmas Season Each Christmas season finds music-lover- s enraptured by performances of George Frideric Handel's oratorio, "Messiah". Since its first performance in 1742, "Messiah" has been thrilling listeners and adding to the significance of religious holidays. The libretto is generally attributed to Charles a wealthy patron of the arts. The libretto is a compilation of passages from the Old Testament and the New Testament. Jen-nen- s, At Christmastime, certain sections of the work are usPrang perfected reprodeleted and emphasis ducing processes and spon- ually is placed on the Nativity sored art competitions to of the libretto, stimulate outstanding de- portion "Messiah" begins impressigns for his greeting cards. with stately measof his sively Many reproductions, involving as many as 15 ures that become a vigorcolors, were so accurate ous fugal passage, giving they couldn't be distin- way to the recitative for guished from the originals. tenor voice, "Comfort Ye." A lovely aria, "Every ValWe can thank the holiShall be Exalted," is day spirit of those living in ley followed by a stirring chorthe Victorian era for one of of us praise, "And tVe our nicest Christmas cusof the Lord." A reci.Glory friendtoms of all cheery, for bass proclaims: tative ly greeting cards! saith "Thus the Lord of " Hosts: Yet once a little while, and I will shake the In Sweden the Yultomten heav'ns and the earth." The is their gnome of Christ"But who may abide aria, mas, also known as Nisse. the day of His coming?" is He is an elf or sprite. then followed by a chorus, "And He shall purify the cards. -' the words, "wonderful, counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace!" Thrilling words, equaled by Handel's thrilling music. The oratorio continues with pastoral themes, setting the scene for a series of recitatives, beginning with, "There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night." The chorus now proclaims "Glory to God" as trumpets sound, recalling the wondrous sight and sound beheld by those shepherds at the very first Christmas. A soprano aria, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!" continues the mood of joy as the Nativity story unfolds. A lovely aria, "He shall feed His flock like a shepherd", is followed by the chorus, "His yoke is easy," ending in majestic chords. The second part of "Messiah" contains what may be the most famous choral music of al time, the Hallelujah Chorus. No one important part of the holiday scene, adding to the festive mood of everyone from Papa down to little sister. Today's fashions have changed significantly and the color TV set may now occupy the place of honor in most American homes but youH still find Christ- but they're the same songs that young ladies and their beaux sang at the turn of the century, with a few modern additions. However, the traditional singing of carols has not complete- an evening of beloved Christmas music during the holiday season, and of course TV and radio stations offer many programs of traditional and new Folks from the Nineties might be amazed at the Christinas customs of today but they'd be right at home when it conies to America's favorite holiday music in 1975 --, Christmas churches feature carols. A sincere wish for a Merry well-love- III . J K l . 3 CROSS ROADS TREMONTON SERVICE E. 257-372- 6 u QoodOdiifijs Health and happiness throughout the season and in the years to come. "Thanks for your support" . The listener, moved by the story of the "Messiah" and its enduringly beautiful music is left with a vision perhaps that same vision that Handel spoke of, after he had finished his greatest work. "I did think I did see all Heaven before me", the inspired Handel exclaimed, "and the great God Him-- , . hit fttfl The sounds of favorite carols are more apt to emanate from a stereo set than from a player piano . Christmas and thank you for letting us serve you. WMM d mas carols a tradition in family observances of the Yuletide season. who has heard this stirring chorus can ever forget it. A serenely beautiful aria,"I know that my Redeemer liveth", begins the third part of this magnificent work. This section contains yet another great chorus, "Worthy is the Lamb." The choir sings, "Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto Him" in a joyful fugue. The oratorio is then concluded with the words, "Amen" . voices soar in glorious sound, as Han-- , dels monumental work comes to its conclusion. 11 A carols. died out here many church groups make a practice of caroling in local hospitals and institutions, and some carolers still go from home to home in true holiday fashion. ly Many 1 TWIN CITY DAIRY 206 S. 1st W. TREMONTON 257-542- 0 HOLIDAY GREETINGS! May your Christmas . abound with comfort. "h's a pleasure to say thanks to our customers" CALGAS TRK.0H self;" Yulellf Year's End sons of Levi." Now days are short, nights long and raw, With pinching frost, and slabby rain and snow; But let good rousing fires, and Christmas cheer, Still mix'd with charity, conclude the year. Now the narrative centers on the birth of Jesus . . a recitative for alto, "Behold! A virgin shall con- John Nathan Hutchins (1799) . ceive" is followed by the joyful aria, "O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion." The chorus joins in the familar melody to emphasize the joyous quality of Handel's music. "For behold, darkness "No Room at The Inn" shall cover the earth," conAnd she brought forth tinues the narrative in a her son, and bass recitative, and the wrapped him in swaddling air, "The people that walkclothes, and laid him in a ed in darkness have seen a manger; because there was great light." Now the chorno room for them in the us sings in jubilation, "For inn. unto us a Child is born," St. Luke 2:7 with majestic emphasis on first-bor- n - It's a pleasure to greet our many patrons and wish them (lie very hest. MILLER'S JEWELRY 29 W. MAIN TREMONTON 257-568- 0 JJyk iOUR TO ALL (J FRIENDS 1975-de- C c A-- - zsqrM...j 7"! 8 1 I May this follow you thru the new year. FEDERAL LAND BANK TREMONTON j 30 24(7 I 31 f26 KLXf "j We have appreciated your patronage in the past and we hope that we can continue to serve you in Vnristmas nring all the hest for you and your family and 145 W. MAIN iTpZJtzQ R 27 6 2 3 j RI97). itxSVS 9 14 1 5 ' 21 T 22 2 8 29 J 257-531- 5 the future. ' FIRST SECURITY OF TREMONTON 140 W. MAIN TREMONTON 257-537- Our thanks to all of our friends as we extend our wishes for the holidays BURKS "MARKET 32 E. FACTORY GARLAND 1 257-312- 5 Have a happy and safe Blooming botuiuvts of good cheer to oil our fine friends from BOWCUTT'S FLORAL & RECEPTION CENTER 257.533. holiday season ERROL'S AMERICAN 163 W. MAIN TREMONTON 257-342- Wc wish you a Joyous Yuletide. "frm dt of us to of you,Gsh" a 9 E. TREMONTON 257-793- 5 |