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Show Christmas Feature SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS TUESDAY DECEMBER 24, 1996 Tis the season FA LA LA LA LA LA! By Barbara Pyles Christmas is the time for sharing family traditions, and making magical memories that last a lifetime. In many homes traditions zero in on the birth ofJesus. Yet, in others, they do not. Nevertheless, all are part of the magic of the season. Almost 2,000 years has come and gone since God gave the world a special gift. Many people continue that spirit of giving by exchanging gifts during the Yuletide season. Christmas traditions differ from family to family, but like exchanging gifts, decorating a tree with assorted glittery things is almost universal. Some say Martin Luther was the first to place candles on a tree to symbolize the starry night in Bethlehem when Christ was bom. When Germans moved to other countries, they took the tradition with them. Others liked the idea and decorating a tree crept into Christmas. Jean Beck dressed-u- p this cherished symbol of Christmas on Christmas Eve while her children slept. On Christmas morning the children were wide-eye- d as they watched the twinkling lights. When Dori Gustafson was a child, it was Santa who brought the familiar gift of a Christmas tree to her house. Years later, Dori started her own family tradition. On an afternoon near Christmas, she treated her children to lunch at a fancy restaurant. They ordered peppermint served with a candle in the middle. In Italian homes the Nativity is the high point of the Christmas celebration. The custom was said to have started in 1223 when Saint Francis of Assisi built a scene from Bethlehem for a Christmas Eve mass. The custom of displaying the Nativity scene has been in the Sharon Woods family for years. We light a candle on Christmas Eve for the star as Jesus. I remember my mother doing By making lefse, Amy Hegge is continuing a tradition started by her mother. It wouldnt be Christmas if this dish wasnt on our table, she says. This tradition is carried on by her grandchildren. During the holiday season Barbara Franklins kitchen overd flows with the smell of cookies. The tradition of baking Springerle started in Germany with her mothers family. In fact her grandfather, a carpenter, made a special Springerle mold. As a Christmas treat, Carol Pierce traditionally had snowballs rolled in coconut, served with a candle in the middle. Then the company stopped making is sometimes called Father snowballs. Carol didnt apply for Christmas and appears on the job and she didnt take a test Christmas Eve. to get it. Yet, she was promoted When Shirley Harris was a to family snowball maker. child, she peeked into the living When Barbara Schafer was room early Christmas morning growing up there was always to see if Santa had made it down lots of holiday food, but having her chimney. After may oohs oysters was traditional. So much and aahs her so that Barbara carried on the Mama let Shirley open one tradition, then passed it on to present, then sent her back to bed. her children. Then theres the custom of Beverly Van Dome traditionwassailing the apple tree that is ally took her family out on still used in Herefordshire, to Christmas Eve for a night of some extent. It takes place near feasting. Santa Claus chose that the orchard. The menfolk fire time to land his reindeer on the guns and bang on pots and pans Van Dome roof. while everyone else sings the Although many people pracWassail Song. Then, farmers tice a variety of customs and and their families feast on cider traditions, its the gathering of fresh-bake- soft-heart- well-behave- d ice-crea- m 0 off selected Catalog merchandise! December ry 2 Select apparel from our Fall & Winter Catalog On our Collection of toys On all Christmas items On select electronics, bedding, draperies and home furnishing items. Jones Catalog Store ed soaked cakes. This delightful family and friends that makes custom is said to keep bad spir- the day. For example, Betty Thompits out of the apple orchards and encourages the spirits to help with a good crop the following year. Sounds like fun to me. Sheila Alvords English parents carried on the custom of making Wassail cakes. The cakes were started in October, wrapped in dishtowels and left in a snow bank during November and December. (Sheila grew up in the remote area of northern Manitoba). The family shared the cakes with family and friends. Holiday traditions can appear as the main course of a Christthat. It was a sacred thing, mas dinner. Marge Proctor says she traditionally cooked ham for she says. recustoms Christmas Christmas dinner. When her two Many food volve around and everyone boys got old enough, they has a recipe thats been in the changed the customary meal to family for years. spaghetti and meatballs. Save 30-5- Then theres the Santa Claus story. And believe me folks, Santa is not a myth. It all started more than seventeen hundred years ago with a bishop named Nicholas. He lived in Turkey and helped children who needed him. After his death, he became the patron saint of children. St. Nicholas brought presents to German children on December 6. He traveled with a scary fellow called Knecht Ruprecht, who always carried a bundle of switchers. After the reformation, critics frowned on that idea of a bishop traveling with such a chap. As a result, Santa Claus came to life and begin landing his sled on housetops. Today, he 310 South 100 East 644-270- 0 son remembers the special warmth and joy of having the entire clan gather at Grandpas house for a Christmas celebration. Today being with her own family at Christmas time is very important to Betty. Bonnie Berry has a Christmas memory that she holds dear. It happened the year she spent Christmas with her parents in Yakima, Washington. Being from San Diego, my children had never seen snow fall out of the sky. On Christmas Eve snow started to fall. ..the children thought they were in a holiday wonderland. It was the best Christmas ever. Merry Christmas to all! A holiday story for kids of all ages By Barbara Pyles One frosty evening, Michael heard a knock on the door. An official from Washington, D.C. wanted to see Grandpa. When he left, Grandpa grabbed his warmest jacket, climbed into his truck and raced towards the North Pole. of your truck, he instructed. Has it been checked twice? asked Grandpa. Ho, ho ho, yes it has, said Santa Claus. Now listen care- fully. Sprinkle the magic dust on the Christmas list. Why? ask Grandpa. Youll be able to fly through Michael shifted from one foot the sky and land on the right to the other, while David kept roof tops. Santa Claus reached fingering his tattered baseball into another desk drawer. glove. Jamie turned pale. The Here, take this secret key for children knew that something houses without chimneys. What if I get stuck in a chimhad happened which could cancel Christmas. ney? asked Grandpa. Ho, ho, ho! Dont eat too many It was dusk when Grandpa yelled into his cellular phone, cookies. And hurry! Youre Tm lost. There was complete slower than molasses. A shiver of excitement danced silence. The snowflakes are the down Grandpas back as he biggest Ive ever seen. Still no answer. Now Ive done it, said climbed into his truck and turned the key. Then it hapGrandpa. the static Through Grandpa pened. Just as the truck was heard. Look for a flashing red about to fly, it bounced and came sign that says, North Pole. to a complete stop. Grandpa Grandpa stuck his head out of quickly poured more magic dust the window and grinned. I see onto his truck. Dressed in a rumpled red and it, he yelled. The Christmas lights on Santas house glowed brightly as Grandpa knocked on the d door. A woman in a bright red dress said, Hello! white suit. Grandpa dashed from rooftop to rooftop. His eyes sparkled as he climbed down white-hairechimneys, and tiptoed through front doors deliveringpresents. Instead of hearing hooves tapMrs. Claus. to Welcome our Im home. ping on the roof, children heard Im looking for Santa Claus, the motor of a truck disappearsaid Grandpa. ing into the night. Mrs. Claus pointed to a chap Ho, ho, ho! shouted Grandpa he climbed down the last as in chair. Santa Claus sitting a Quat-Chididnt look too jolly. chimney. His massive belly Quat-Chie- f. My cold is really shook when he laughed like a bad. Wipe your feet and come bowl full of jello. Then somein, hesaid. thing happened. Help! he of the United yelled. Im stuck. ThePresident Grandma fell out of bed. Is States sent me to make the Christmas deliveries, said that you, Grandpa? Quat-Chie- f, Quat-Chie- f, Grandpa. He handed Santa Claus an official looking paper. sneezed Grandpa as he crashed Santa Claus pulled his long to the bottom of the fireplace. Youre covered with ashes beard thoughtfully as he read. Then he lifted one thick white and soot moaned Grandma. eyebrow and stared at Grandpa Take off those filthy clothes. First I have a job to do. glasses. through Grandpa dug deep into his sack. Why you? he asked. Why not me? questioned He pulled out a sled, two reGrandpa. Are you goingto lend mote control cars, a doll house, several computer games, and a me your sled and reindeer? Santa sneezed. Theyre sick, baseball glove. He left a few and so are the elves. Can you fly more presents, then turned with a jerk and started up the chima helicopter? No...cant say that I can ney. Stop! called Grandma You Grandpa hit his forehead with here. live hand. I his Wait, have a truck. ef wire-rimm- ed Santa Claus rubbed his rosy checks. It was Christmas Eve, and he was running out oftime. He looked hard at Grandpa. Its not easy delivering toys all around the world in one night, he said. I know, said Grandpa.' Santa Claus took a container of magic dust and the Christmas list from his desk. Tape the Christmas list on the hood On Christmas morning, Grandpa turned on his comletputer. There was an E-m-ail ter from Santa Claus. Well done, it said. The children danced around the room. Grandpa saved the day, they shouted. Quat-Chie- f, Quat-Chie- f, sneezed Grandpa Then, he re- membered that his truck was still hovering over the rooftop. |