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Show Page 2 SunNews Section D. December 22. 1993 So, You want an Old Fashioned Christmas This Year? Reprinted from Gunnison Valley News dated December if not most, of our Christmas customs from our parent country, merrie England; We in America have received many, 24, 1965 but in England, Christmas is no longer the day of games and fine Tis the season to be jolly, But then there are minority opinions on everything. Plenty of folks are complaining that Christmas isnt what it used to be. They say stacks of Christmas cards, frantic shopping, Amahl and the Night Visitors on TV, and Rudolph the d Reindeer on stereo dont make a Christmas. Weve got to get back to the Christmas, they cry. But wed better not go back to far.To put it bluntly, the Puritans were against Christmas. They labeled it a Wonton Bacchanalian feast and spent their first Christmas on these shores pointedly rejecting joy and doing carpentry. On the second Christmas several lusty young men who were found and such like sports in 'pitching ye ball, playing at stoole-ba- ll what-for the public streets caught from the Governor Bradford, in person. American Christmases will hardly do for a precedent to be followed in 1965. By 1 827, however, Christmas had evolved to the point that an Episcopalian bishop was complaining, The devil has stolen from us Christmas, the day of our spiritual redemption and converted it into a day or worldly festivity, shooting and old traditional ceremonies it once was. It is rarely that the yule log is burned nowadays...and whereas the Christmas game, in the times of good Queen Bess, lasted for more than a month, a week is all the modem, money-makin- g English can devote to last-minu- te Red-Nose- ed it. Could it be then that this perennial dissatisfaction with Christmas present customs and longing for the merely shows the power of this season to evoke nostalgic ed memories of happy childhood, bygone pleasures, and the joy of Christmases past, the exchange of greetings, the singing of carols, the tree, mistletoe, the festive meal, and the outdoor fun? One last dip into the yellowed crumbling pages of The Youth Companion gives an even better reason to wish for a simple celebration at Christmas. It is right for us to derive all the innocent pleasure possible from the happy season, not forgetting, the while, how solemn and glorious is the event which we thus joyously commemorate, with its beautiful lesson of Love to our fellow man. yp"W swearing. And by 1876 The Youths Companion, a popular magazine of the time, was lamenting the passing of the English Christmas: old-fashion- ed nnTMmumj Dedication in Gunnison Children waited up to 1 12 hours to see Santa in Gunnison. Despite the wait, children were able to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas gifts, and parents were able to take pictures of their child on his lap. Santa probably needed to stretch his lap once in a while! Warmest Greetings! Peterson Appliance May holiday joy warm your heart and home. Thank you for your patronage. ...And visions of sugarplums danced in their heads- - 1 ..3! bell ringer. Walker Oil - Centerfield ft' Sweet tidings to you and a joyous Noel ! We appreciate your patronage. Heres hoping your Christmas is a real Were glad to have you as our customers. MUt1- - m The Carriage Court ... 529-387- 6 sV To our many good neighbors we offer our sincere best wishes for a joyous Yuletide. Farmers New World Ute Insurance Co. Mercer Island. WA rt Carolyn Brock Insurance Nail & Hair Company Tanning Salon & V U Gunnison To All There is nothing more beautiful than Your ready smile, Your gentle eyes, Your warm Hello. Theres nothing more beautiful than the face of friendship you've shown us. Our Friends And Patrons! Hope the holidays are awash with blessings and joy. Manti Country Cleaners Manti HOPE SANTA IS GOOD TO YOU! Youve given us the gift offriendship, so we put in word with Mr. Kringle for you! good Thanks for everything and Merry Christmas! Steve Roberts Plumbing 240 East Main - Salina 529-749- 2 a Have A Very rjlorryl You deserve the merry best. .Hermansen's Mill - Gunnison . |