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Show sada" means lodging or shelter Wednesday, December 22, 196b The Many Flays of Christmas Christmas is celebrated many ways, but how It's done depends on where you are. Sweden, Mexico, the Nether- lands, Spain, Denmark, France wherever you go In the world, you will find that each country has its ownChristmas traditions.1 In Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christ, the streets are filled on Christmas Eve with thousands of devout pilgrims, representing the many faiths, who journey ther to worship. Back and forth they mas Eve dinner, after which they join hands and move around the gaily decorated Christmas tree,, singing old Christmas hymns. In neighboring Norway, Christ-- , mas is celebrated still another1 way. Here, besides the traditional customs, animals are given extra rations since they witnessed the birth of Christ. Also, some peasants still attach large bundles of oats to sticks and put them on roofs to chase away evil spirits. The theory is that the green rods and crops are effective helpers against the evil one. In the United States, Christmas is also celebrated in many ways. Sending greeting cards to friends and loved ones at this time of year has become a tra- I f pass in processionals, holding! candles and singing, as they visit sacred grottos and crypts, ichurches. j That evening a special mass is held in the Church of the Nativity, believed to be the oldest Christian sanctuary in the world. At midnight, church bells ring dition. One widely-use- d card has for miles around calling the celebrants to assemble at Shepherds jspecial meaning. It is sent by Lutheran ministers over the Field to sing hymns. In Sweden, Christmas is cele- nation to their church members brated in a different way. Here in military service far from the Yuletide officially begins on home. For the past twelve years December 13, St. Lucias Day. the practice has been carried on; Everyone goes outside, carrying with nearly a million of the un.lights and singing carols door iquely designed Christmas Cards ' to door. The ancients believed sent out. this day the darkest of the year. Made available by the National Thus man-mabrightness is Lutheran Councils Division of 'used to dispel the spirits of 'Service to Military Personnel, these cards are actually 12 page darkness. itself booklets. They not only tell the starts; Christmas Then, off early the morning of De- story of Christmas, but also encember 25 when before the able the servicemen who receive family goes to church adaugher them to have their own private of the house, dressed as St. Lucia, Christmas devotional wherever visits each bedroom. Robed in they may be staioned. white, she wears on her head a Strikingly illustrated, the 1965 wreath of whortleberry leaves version tells the classic story of .encircled with lighted candles, Christs birth in text and paintand carries a tray of coffee and ings. It includes the On carol Joy to the World. special Lucia cakes. Christmas is one page pastors write personal In Denmar, celebrated not on December 25 messages to their members in but on Christmas Eve. Late uniform This year, according to thethat afternoon, all work ceases, church bells peal, and people National Lutheran Council, more; flock to the churches that have :than 70,000 of these Christmas been festively lighted and deco- Cards will be mailed. South of the border in Mexico, rated with fragrant green pines After services, men andl religious - social celebrations women, young and old, return! called Posadas are familiar Po home for a traditional Christ throughout the country. j j Be-len- VIEW NEWS Pag es 1965 lies in a creche. - . VALLEY difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Across the Atlantic in Spain, Christmas ceremonies begin early in December. Here the religious focal point is the or Nacimientos the nativity scene which holds a place of honor in every home. Weeks before, street vendors sell clay, wood, and cardboard figures representing the Holy Family, shepherds, and animals in the manger. Then each family goes to work to make its nativity scene as beautiful and traditional as possible. Prizes are given for the best representations. In France, Christmas is celebrated by religious processionals steeped in tradition, and attended by people from all over the world. At Baux, for example, a centuries-old ceremony is repeated each Christmas Eve. A shepherd brings into the ancient St. Vincents Church anewbornlamb that is placed in a grotto where the figure of the Infant Jesus de well-kno- IHE in Spanish. However, Posadas now is the collective term given in Mexico to the nine days of celebration with which Mexicans commemorate Joseph and Mary In the Netherlands, the Christmas celebration centers around the home. After attending church services on Christmas Eve, the family returns home, enjoys a traditional dinner, then sits around the tree stories of Christmas in an atmosphere f peace and happiness. In nearby Switzerland, in some provinces the children await the arrival of the Christ Kindli the little Christ child, always depicted in white, carrying a magic wand, and wearing a shining crown. In other provinces, they look for St. Niklaus who with his servant Schutzli, not only distributes gifts to them, but also looks up their good and bad deeds in a book and if they have been bad warns them to be good. roam the Polish Star-boon Day Christmas countryside portraying the wise men of the East and performing the drama of the Nativity. In England, many Christmas traditions go back to ancient' times. At Dewsbury in Yorkshire: Christmas Eve is the time for the unusual custom of Tolling,1 the Devils Knell. Performed! for more than 700 years, this, involves tolling the bells of the BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY OLD FASHIONED re-telli- ng wn - CHRISTMAS. ys JOHNSON - ANDERSON MORTGAGE CO. DA 81 smmt peace be with you and yours this day. Christmas KEARNS LANES MERRYi-- CLOSED We hope Santa Christmas Eve 5:00 p.m. New Years Eve 5:00 p.m. OPEN Christmas Day 2:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. New Years - 1 1962 W. 3500 So. brings you gifts of joy and peace. 266-14- 28 5 |