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Show - . 1 .1 i , j . i i i I J I t 3 3 r j - Present Customs 200 Years Old Ever wonder, as you deck the branches of that prize pine or spruce, who trimmed the first Christ- mas tree? Or when folks first discovered the ex-- j istence of Santa Claus? Or who sang the first Christ- mas carol? Hung up the first Christmas stocking? Chose a strategic spot for the first holiday mistletoe? Some Christmas customs are surprisingly recent, while others date back even beyond the earliest Christians. But the Yule- tide we know complete with gifts under the tree, friends calling to admire - , f decorations and family reunions has existed only for the past 200 years. To our ancestors who celebrated Christes Masse (The Mass of Christ) several centuries ago, Christmas as a time of solemn rejoicing and deep religious dedication, with little of the modern gaiety. The New - England Puritans actually forbade joyous Yuletide de- monstrations. 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 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 they come from the famous poem, The Night Before whose auChiristmas, thor, Dr. Clement Moore, modeled Santa after an old Dutch gentleman he had once met. About those Christmas stockings: one legend says 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 Next time you hear Deck the halls with boughs of holly, remember the origin of Christmas carols. The word carol means to dance in ring, and the man who popularized the practice was the beloved St. Francis of Assisi. To bring this Christmas message vividly and directly to his 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. Once again, f SLE&SiNG lAlILL j RECALL . for all the world , a warm j OF Good ITG IRE (CHRISTMAS AMP OW TFilS OW WE IN MANV SPECIAL WAVS THAT" CHRIST IS 0ORN( all AN )lN BCTHLeHEM. &RIN&N& To of love amp Mope . May the OF ALL HoUPAVS - to bee COMES TO THE HEARTS OF AU. MEM amp Happiness ETERNAL MESSAGE spirit of this 8R1HG NEW PEACE L wall tie wxu?. hand-me-dow- y, stocking probably originated in Germany. What do the worlds children find in the stocking 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 ones. Americas bad 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 spirplease the its they thought to inhabit the trees. When these pagans were converted to god-lik- e Christianity, they trans- ferred their feelings for the evergreen to the new religion. The first person to decorate a Christmas tree may have been Martin Luther, walking home one night shortly before 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 help his children experience the same wonder of God. The custom grew and spread through Northern Europe, then to America. HAPFY holidays Drawn by Stacie Lynn Lyons, 5th grade, Taylorsville Elementary. Daugh- ter of Sally Ann Lyons. Merry Christmas from all of us at HOLIDAY TIRE CENTERS 8610 So. 700 East 3847 So. Redwood Rd. 973-70- 1 S 566-363- 1 4031 So. Highland Drive 278-280- 6 |