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Show Feature gw IM! By Barbara Pyles The celebration of Christmas with its legends, customs and religious observances differs all over the world.- - Each country that celebrates the Season has their own magical spell of excitement, their own uniqueness. To Christians, Christmas clearly means celebrating the birth of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. They flock to churches on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Some display nativities, and even travel to Bethlehem to visit the place of His birth. Although no one knows the exact date of Jesus's birth, it is celebrated on December 25. The happiest Christmas story ever comes from the Bible as told in the bode of Luke: And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in twaddling clothes, and laid him in a mem-ge- n because there wot no room for them in the inn. And there were in the tame country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them. Fear not; for behold, Ibringyou good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is bom this day in the city of David a Savior, u hich is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.' lying in a manger. , And suddenly there uas with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will, toward men. Almost 2,000 years have come and gone since the birth ofJesus. Today, people all over the world celebrate many different Christmas customs. Some are based on the birth of Jesus, and others have noth ing to do with His birth. In Italian homes the nativity is the high point of the Christmas celebration. It is the custom to visit nativities in the homes of friends. In some families, the nativity is handed down from generation to generation. Many people believe that the idea of the first Christmas tree started in Germany with Martin Luther. Luther brought a small tree home from the woods, he placed candles on the tree to represent the starry night in Bethlehem when Christ was bora. When Germans moved to other countries, they kept decorating trees on Christmas. Other people liked the idea and the custom crept into Christmas. Its said that no one loves Christ- . gOUTKTSN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 4,1W7 Gvogtania mas as much as the German people. The very first glass colored ornaments were made by peasants in Germany. In Poland, at the Christmas Eve meal, an extra place is set for the Christ Child, and the people believe he is present in spirt. Everyone breaks oplatki (bread wafers) with one another and wishes each other good luck. The carol. Silent Night, Holy Night, originated from Austria. Father JosefMohr was the priest in a small village of Oberadorf Austria. As the Christmas of 1818 approached, the pipe organ rusted. There would be no music this Christmas Eve. But Father Mohr could not except this, so he wrote a song that he could play on a guitar. Stille Nachtl Heilige Nacht!. In Sweden, they start celebrating Christmas on December 12 with the Feast Day of St Lucia. The oldest daughter dresses in white and wears a crown of green leaves and seven lighted candles on her head. She rises at dawn and serves coffee and cakes to the family members. The girl portrays a young Christian girl, Saint Lucia. Before Christmas, children help bake the traditional puddings and cakes in Ireland. Another tradition is to place a lighted candle in a window and to leave the door open. This is done so the Holy Family will stop and rest on their way to Bethlehem. In England, people decorate their homes with pine scented Christmas trees and fresh holly. It is the custom to burn a yule log and exchange gifts on Christ- mas Day. Many people celebrate the season decorating their homes with Christmas ornaments, flowers, ribbons and bows. The blazing red Poinsettia was first used in Mexico as a Christmas decoration. According to legend a small boy picked green leaves from a bush on the side of the road as a gift to the Christ Child. The other children laughed at his gift. This beautiful flower was brought to the United States in 1828. The Danish people decorate their Christmas tress with nuts, and paper cones filled with candies and cookies. The parents light the candles on the tree and the children sing carols. During this season, it is the custom in Denmark to share food with the poor, the birds and the animals. The sending of Christmas greeting cards has become very popular. Perhaps the custom started with schoolboys in England. They sent out Christmas Pieces (greetings to parents on decorated pieces of paper) just before the holidays. But the real Christmas card came along in the - 1840s when Sir Henry Cole printed and sold 1,000 cards. By the 1870's, this custom was widely used in Europe and America. Yet, others celebrate Christ- mas by reading Dickens A Christmas Carol. In this classic Christmas story written in 1843, the villain Scrooge doesn't believe in Christmas. In his opinion Christmas is Humbug. Scrooge is visited by three ghosts who show him glimpses into his past, present and future. Scrooge becomes a changed man. It is meaningful to understand that in different countries, others are celebrating this joyous season with different traditions and religious observances. And so we hope this article, filled with legends and customs, brings you enjoyment. It is our Q e h J Christmas gift to you. Merry Christmas! And God bless everyone. k ' A Mothers letter to Santa o By Myma Cox Dear Santa, All I want for Christmas is happiness for all. Would you please send me a package of love, which would be sprinkled on the poor and homeless, so they could feel really feel, the love of the season upon them. And perhaps you could send a wreath of goodness to hang over every door. So each person passing could feel welcome in every home, in every place and in every heart. While youre at it could you send carolers to the sickly and bedridden so they could hear the messages that so many of us take for granted? And Santa, just for a day could everyone be healthy, and fine with life? And just for a day covlld you erase all ill will, animosity and anger from every aching heart. And while youre at it Santa, could you instill in the hearts of the children the concept of giving, and in the hearts of the parents the concept of teaching their children about the real meaning of Christmas. I know this is asking a lot, but Santa could you pause from your busy schedule to kneel at the feet ofHe who was bora in Bethlehem, to pay tribute to the Christ Child? For if you set the example, then perhaps the rest of us would remember the true reason for celebrating this most eventful day. Oh and just one more thing Santa, wipe the tears from the children who have cause to weep, and far one moment let them feel free of all that is imposed upon them, and let their innocence be respected and their lives be better throughout toommgsye L Bethlehem Town Cleo Lamb, wise man in Glendale's Bethlehem Town" musical, poses in full costume to capture a moment in that wonderful story of at times, repeated m the world, so many different ways as earth celebrated the bi(lh ofJesus Chnsi Photo by Myma Cox. 1 . : a i Therell be tinsel on the Sagebrush On this Special Christmas Eve; 111 go to bed an' wait to see Whats up ol Santas sleeve. Therell be a plate o (rookies an A glass o Egg Nog," toe; 01 Santaa welcome to it all A As hes a parsin' through -- ? . .... I aint got no Christmas list . 1 . , ,, With presents an the lika, Ain't had no use fer such a thing . . Since my boy was just a tyke. Yup, Santa Cliusll be by when The fires a burnin low. Hell pause a spell an rest up some Before hes on the go. - v Ill sleep right through his visit Never knowin he was here: Come Christmas morn, I have no doubt, feel Santa Claus cheer. Ch yes. I've had it happen with I 01 Santa an his sleigh, ' Hell rest his tiny reindeer too, Then theyli ?e on their way. Now, Santa O&usll only step At the.- - s dare believe,.. 111 . " AA Tlih r ' j thtir pl&ca f. vml Christriss Eva s 'Ca-taCU- aa. -- t 4 dn thicks, Q mi i - rv ? e 2 ; . . At ' a salts 5 t - Mi ' T , I By Sandy Knolls Atlam i I A Special Christmas Eve L x - -- |