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Show Feature SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 17, 1997 Just i Ho! Ho! Ho! 'C i j k . Pre-scho- - century. He was the Bishop of Myra, in what is now Turkey. Saint Nicholas loved children. Whatever money he had. Saint Nicholas used to buy gifts for children and poor people. His legend spread all over Europe. It wasnt long before Christmas presents were given on December 6, when the pageant of St. Nicholas took place. St. Nicholas splintered into many variations. In the United States and a few other countries, St. Nicholas became identified with Santa Claus. In Den- ol sometimes holds chocolate chip cookie crumbs. Santa Claus lives at the North Pole with Mrs. Claus and hundreds and hundreds of elves. Mrs. Claus bakes a lot and the elves devote their days to making toys. On Christmas Eve, Santa Claus climbs into his flying sleigh pulled by eight reindeer and travels all over the world Ailing stockings and putting gifts under Christmas trees. According to one youngster, Santa Claus must be very careful when he slides down the chimney because he may burn his bottom. Santa Claus has never been bitten by the family dog or any other pet. Oh, yes, there is only one Santa Claus. Others who dress like him are just helpers. When Santa Claus returns to the North Pole, he takes a rest then eats a big din- -' ner. This is the gift giver that Mrs. Ropers class knows and i f 8 ArA -t i .. jr V .v u -- r' r - Ui t u ! - b r V K A W. 'MWTfW "V . a who is Santa Claus? By Barbara Pyles Just who is Santa Claus? According to the children who attend Maria Ropers Day Care, Santa Claus is a chubby fellow who wears a red suit trimmed with white fur. He has a long white beard that 17 ' ; pb.' mark children believe in Nisse," the gnomes of Christn mas. These have long white beards and wear pointed hats. In Sweden the children believe in an elf called Tomte. He delivers gifts in a sled pulled by two goats. Sinter Klaas, wearing a beautiful red robe and riding on a white horse, visits Dutch children on the eve of December 6. The children put their shoes or stockings by the fireplace and the next morning most of them elf-me- The children at Maria Ropers daycare talk about Santa Claus: Marina Wood, Aaron Moisten. Austin Coleman, Megan Buck, Chet Bunting and Devin Brown. Nicole Winkleman and Branson Jackson was absent from picture. Photo by Barbara Pyles. pre-scho-ol wooden shoes. Italian children receive their gifts from a lady called Befana. According to an unverified story, Befana was cleaning house when the Three Kings were traveling to bring gifts to Jesus. Befana wanted to go with them, but finished her work instead Today the children believe that on are delighted to find gifts. the Feast ofThree Kings (Jan 6), Naughty children find switches Befana flies around on a broomstick searching for the Christ instead. Children in Holland believe Child. While she searches, loves. that St. Nicholas rides a beauti- Befana drops down the chimThe earliest stories of Saint ful white horse. If the children ney, leaving candy and gifts near Nicholas go back to the Fourth are good, he leaves gifts in their the nativity for the children. I S IS ' - . K Bjr Barbara Pyles 'A; the chimney with a sack of toys," and sometimes entered' the When Jamie was four, her he found Jamie sleeping under front door with a magic key. What fun, said Jamie as she Grandmother took her Christ theChristmasTree. On the table cookies there was munched on a Christmas cookie. mas shopping at 'the mall. near a plate of The load in the sleigh grew Jamie saw Santa Clauses on a note that said: Santa Claus, the streets and Santa Clauses please wake me," lighter and lighter as Santa and Santa Claus didnt hurry Jamie left gifts under Christin the department stores. ' Godmother "asked Jamie, away. Instead he looked into a mas trees and goodies in stockWhy are there so many Santa , Bmall red book. He smiled a jolly ings. Much too soon, Santa 4 - smile. Yes," he said. She has Claus and Jamie arrived at Clauses?" , , : smiled. been so good." He gently tugged Jamies house. Lets slide down Grandmother the chimney," said Jamie. Theyre helpers she said. The Jamies arm. Santa Claus and Jamie drank real Santa Claus lives way up ; Jamie couldnt believe her North. He is getting ready for, eyes.. Youre the real Santa a big cup of cocoa. Jamie carethe Christmas. Eve trip. Mrs. Claus," she said. fully wiped cocoa from her face said Ho!" the Ho! Ho! jolly with a napkin. I had so much Claus lives there too. She takes , Claus red Santa the suit, fun," she said. Santa Claus care of Santa Claus, and all of man in to want kissed Do Jamie. Witha wave ofhis be, had an idea. the elves." you hand up the chimney he went, At the North Pole, Santa my helper tonight?" he asked. Claus and his elves were busy, Oh, yes," said Jamie as she put .Meny Christmas, Jamie,"he said. Til see you next year." in the workshop' packing toys on her jacket and stocking cap. to onto lifted her Claus Santa into big sacks. At last it was Christmas" Eve. Its great ' his shoulders. Ttsuse the front '; ' weather for flyin,"rld Santa door," said Jamie. and Comet On Dasher, Viisn, Claus to his reindeer That night when everyone Cupid: Hurry now Donner, was aslefpJmh crept into Btitzca'csd Rudolph. Fly! Fly! Jamie the living rcent and ret by the FlytFr - c sndD; Christmas tree. She kept lis- yelled iithirrhi .. All rpht F:cita Claus and tening fer f cur.ds that would -tell her thus Ckua and ' Js m? : : : n ; - . 1 V r: ph fluffy 1 c t toys." clou,? . :th tiri his rtirJ ' ?t :t : libti English children write letters to Father Christmas, then throw them into the fireplace. If the message bums, they try again. If the message is carried up by the draft, they know Father Christmas will deliver their gifts. In Poland, children believe that the Wise Men bring gifts from the stars. After they have eaten their evening meal, the Star Man (the village priest disguised) quizzes the children on their catechism. Those who give the correct answers receive a small present. There are many different religions in China. Some do celebrate Christmas and they call the day Sheng Dan Jieh. (Holy Birth Festival). Children believe that Dun Cke Lao Ren (Christ mas Old Man) fills their stockings with toys and candy. Gift giving has never been as important in Spain as in most other countries. Nevertheless, Spanish children receive gifts from the Wise Men otf January 6. But no matter what children call the gift giver, one thing will always remain the same: When children open their gifts on whatever day they celebrate Christmas, these little tikes can barely contain their excitement, and they dearly love who or whatever brings their gifts. As Austin, Aaron, Chet, Devin, Marina, Megan and Nicole grow older, they will realize that Santa Claus, and his counterparts represent the spirit of giving. Merry Christmas!!! . , . , . , r " . 3 4 i ,, "WhGeite" good Christmas Bud Knowles, along with grandchildren Chase and Sommer Withers, decided to help the Kanab City Police Department do a good turn this holiday season The cops provided the wheels, and Bud and company provided the elbow grease, to hep needy children have a better Christmas this year. Several weeks ago, Knowles began refurbishing bikes which had been found and unclaimed by the Kanab City Po The 20 bikes wiB be distributed through Social Services and local churches. Project coonMnator Sergeant Tom Cram wantedtothmkTerrilHQneyof(Honey'slGA)andLawrencaReese (Texaco) for generous donations to the esufs, and express appredabon for Krxmies: t v- - ? |