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Show Christmas Customs from Other Lands, Near and Far Christmas is celebrated in many parts of the world, and in many different ways. In Austria, for instance, a charming candle ceremony reminds us that Christ is the light of the world. According to this custom, families gather together on Christmas Eve, before three large, wax candles. The first candle is lit, as the words, Christ is born, arc chanted. On Christmas Pay, the second candle is lit, and the third one is lit on New Years Day. A colorful parade marks Christmas in the Philippine Islands. There, the youngsters wear wreaths and chains made of flowers as they parade, singing holiday songs. A religious service precedes this Christmas parade, which is followed by family dinners. A charming Irish custom is observed on the day after Christmas, St. Stephens Day. Young children find a wren, which is then placed in a cage atop a bush. The children then go from door to door, collecting money for charity. Greenlanders can always look forward to a white Christmas, but because of Greenland's climate, their Christmas trees have to be imported! Those who do not attend church services burn candles in their windows to light the w ay for Candles are also used on the Christmas tree, which may be hung with small baskets, filled church-goer- with sweets. Christmas in Brazil is very similar to Christmas in the United States, except for the noise! There, the custom is Tooele Transr rijit, Thursday, Famed Editorial She was only eight years old, but she was troubled. to sound factory sirens at midnight on Christmas Eve. f amilies usually attend midnight mass, after w hich they enjoy a feast of turkey or Cynical young playmates had informed her that Santa Claus really didnt exist. After asking her fathers advice, the little girl sat down and wrote a letter that was to immortalize her and the resulting editorial reply. She wrote, "Dear Editor; I am S years old. Some of lamb and either visit at home or go out. Gifts arc exchanged and champagne toasts of I eliz Natal arc made to family and friends. In Greece, Christmas is also observed with family along with a rather quaint custom. Old, leather shoes are burned during the holiday season, to drive away the karkani :ari, mysterious creatures who like to do mischief at my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says f you sec it in The Sun its so.' Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus? n. I8V7. Perhaps his featuies softened somewhat as he thought back to the time when he had eagerly awaited a visit from St. Nick. That the girlish inquiry-struc- a responsive chord was evident in the answering editorial that appeared on September 21, I 97 in the New York Sun: Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds. Virginia, whether they be men's or chtldiens, editor arc little. In this great busy, reading that letter one day in universe of ours man is a -- this time. A priest may even be called upon to perform special rites with a cross entwined with basil sprigs and dipped into holy water to chase away the karkani-za- Conla 01 Odllld Reaffirmed the Reality nf One can imagine the tough-minde- d mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge. Tis the Season To be Truly Charitable Good deeds at Christmas dinner and other holiday foods that have been baked can lake various forms. The beforehand. Christmas United States Marine trees are decorated for the Corps, for instance, each holidays and greeting cards year sponsors Toys for Tots so that underpriviare also exchanged. In Italy, children eagerly leged youngsters can enjoy the holiday season with that await gifts from the Italian version of Santa Claus, special, new toy. know n as Father Christmas. Attending church services at Christmas lime is the custom among Italian families, as is the exchanging of pauehone, a special holiday Many churches and organizations put together food baskets for needy families in their area. Members bring staples such as canned goods to their church and cake. donate money as well. The Wherever Christmas is money is used to purchase celebrated, it is observed in perishable items such as a spirit of joy, like the great meat or fowl, which tobirthday party" that it is. gether with the staples will make up holiday meals for less fortunate families. One church annually sponsors a Kristkindl, or Christ-Chil- d, program wherein needy youngsters names are selected during the holidays, for gifting with a new toy. A Christmas tree is set up in the church hall and paper ornaments are hung on the tree. Each ornament has the name and age of a child, and may also specify the gift that is especially wanted by the youngster. Church members choose one or more orna- ments, depending on how many gifts they wish to give. At Christmas time each year, the joyful strains of carols can be heard through the halls of many hospitals and convalescent homes. The carolers may be members of a church or just a group of friends, brought together in the spirit of the season, spreading cheer to those who will not be home for Christmas. poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished. Not believe in Santa and you know that they even if they did not see abound and give to your life Santa Claus coming down, its highest beauty and joy. what would that prove? Alas! how dreary would be Nobody sees Santa Claus, the world if there were no but that is no sign that there Santa Gaus! It would be as is no Santa Gaus. No Santa Gaus! Thank dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be cUk! he lives, and he lives no childlike faith then, no forever. our in special night, family members ways.neighbors gather for a big turkey actually a combination of two words; Cristes Maesse, or the mass of Christ. 1'JSO Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You Yes, Virginia, there is a might get your papa to hire Santa Claus. He exists as men to watch in all the certainly as love and gener- chimneys on Christmas Eve osity and devotion exist, to catch Santa Claus, but No other season brings out the best in us so well as children place Portuguese Christmas. There is some(heir shoes around the firething about (he Nativity fill for on Santa to place (hat inspires us to love story Christmas Eve. At mid- The word Christmas is I)cceniler 25, ... A Child is Born! And with His coming was born a spirit of love and joy which has lived for generations. . . in the hearts of all mankind. Happily do we recall that spirit as we extend Season s Greetings! |