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Show Customs Date Back Centuries for the evergreen to the new religion. i ver wonder, as you deck the branches of that prize pine or spruce, who The first person to decorate a Christmas tree may have been Martin Luther. Walking home one trimmed the first Christmas tree? Or when folks first discovered the existence of Santa Claus? Or Christmas, he felt a strong tie between the starry night and the love of God. At home, he placed candles on a little evergreen tree to who the first holiday help his mistletoe? Some Christmas customs are surprisingly recent, while others date back even beyond the earliest thern Europe, America. The mistletoe Yuletide we know - complete with gifts under the tree, friends calling to admire decorations, and family reunions - has existed only for the past 200 To our ancestors celebrated Masse (The Mass of several centuries ago, Christmas was a time of solemn rejoicing and deep religious dedication, with little of the modern gaiety. The New England Puritans actually forbade joyous Yuletide demonChrist) strations. New Englanders and other Americans eventually followed the lead of New Yorks Dutch settlers and succumbed to the charm of San Nicolaas better known as Saint Nick or Santa Claus. But the jolly gent had a flourishing career long before he reached our shores. More than 1,600 years ago there was a St. Nicholas - a Turkish bishop whose countless works of charity made him a legend in his own lifetime. Martyred in 342 A.D., he became the patron saint of children and of three nations: Greece, Holland and Belgium. People pictured him on a ex- then to has an ancient equally background: primitive who Christes children perience the same wonder of God. The custom grew and spread through Nor- Christians. But the years. to his and directly night shortly before sang the first Christmas carol? Hung up the first Christmas stocking? Chose a strategic spot for villagers, most of whom could not read, the 12th century saint arranged a manger scene using real people and animals. When the villagers came to see it. St. Francis led them in joyous celebrations - in caroling. the origin of Christmas carols. The word carol means to dance in a rings, and the man who popularized the practice was the beloved St. Francis of Assisi. To bring the Christmas message vividly white horse ascribed to by old Turkish tradition. But his fame spread to Scandinavia, whose citizens felt more at home with a Saint Nick who rode a reindeer-draw- n sleigh. They also gave him his red suit, a n from the ancient Norse god, Thor, As for the rosy cheeks, white beard and jolly-jellbelly, they come from the famous poem The Night Before Christmas, whose author, Dr. Clement Moore, modeled Santa after an old Dutch gentleman he had once met. About those Christmas stockings: one legend says hand-me-dow- y that the original St. Nicholas, taking pity on a man too poor to provide a dowry for his daughters, dropped gold pieces into a stocking hung up by the fire to dry. Actually, the custom of hanging up Christmas stocking probably originated in Germany. What do the worlds children find in the stockings or shoes left out for Santa? In Italy, good children find gifts in their shoes, but the naughty ones discover only ashes. The German Santa enters with candy and cookies for the good youngsters, an empty potato sack for the bad bad ones. Americas uns may discover coal in their stockings, but others find gifts ranging from toy guns to harmonicas. No matter how many gifts under the tree, the tree itself is still the center of attraction in most homes - a place of honor which is solidly rooted in history. Thousands of years before Christs birth, evergreen was revered as a symbol of long life and immortality. German tribesmen brought fir trees into their homes to please the god-lik- e they thought to spirits inhabit the trees. When these pagans were converted to Christianity, they transferred their feelings Britons called it all heal and ascribed to it the magic power to heal disease, neutralize poisons, protect against witchcraft, and bestow fertility on humans and animals. If a young couple sealed their betrothal with a kiss under the mistletoe, they would have good luck for the rest of their lives. Next time you hear Deck the halls with boughs of holly remember Buy Toys Right' Way Mr. Mrs. Kenneth & From all of us B. at TAYLOR RENTAL CENTER "Things to rent for every Be aware of what might give children pleasure at Christmas. Knowing how to buy toys can make the difference between the successful and the frustrated Santa. Test some of the toys that you see and like. Among the appealing, amusing or even beneficial, some are merely frustrating to both adults and children. In order to avoid tears on Christmas morning, have the store clerk open the package' before you take it home. Parents: Elementary. Rice. 5316 So. 4015 West fL Jr event" 966-626- 1 ft 3j j, & .4 $ Drawn by Jason Dimick, 3rd grade, Whittier Elementary School. Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Lynn 5 Oj. Dimick. A Drawn by Robert Dent, 4th grade, Farnsworth Elementary. Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Bob Dent. wish from all of us at JOHN PARAS FURNITURE Seasons Greeting from the staff of ECONOMY BUILDERS 3232 So. 400 East 9150 So. 300 West 4 .fl 3545 So. Redwood 4270 West 5415 So. 973-705- 1 & |