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Show jr Friday,- December 18, 1931 - Christ--- J stories about the-firs- t L mas. - On4 ot tba charming 71 legsads relate 'that at the jl the Nativity- jj ft moment everything - and- everybody , V stood stilL The! birds paused 1 t for an Instant in mid-ai( 7J rivers ceased for th? time to dove In abort, an the move- - . ! menu-o- f men and .things . everywhere were suspeaded - ) - 'of ! j ; I r, ,fX ' -- for space.- The spelts- -- - 1 I . .51 Christmas Joys Often Develop Into Sorrow OHR1STMAS Isnt always a hap-pfestive occasion, says the National Safety council, for some t is synonymous with sadness rath-- r than gladness. Do yon recall hat case a' year ago when, on the Islt of old Santa, flimsy caught. fire, two little lives rera sacrificed and a home Many other people were ijured wb'le celebrating the birth-a- y of Christ in various parts J of . 5 be country. It wonld seem that Christmas 'ys in many homes are destined icb year to be turned suddenly Canses are easily 0' sorrow. .ced. Usually the use of lighted .ndles on the Christmas tree or flam-abl- e 1 the 'window of the home; decorations; falls occasioned bile decorating the tree ; the use of fectlv electric equipment; ,the ring' of knives, guns or other ngerons toys to little children; 1 In some sections of the country esc of fireworks. . Little things yon say? Perhaps, ; each year these circumstances ve a trail of tragedy. Celebrate lstmas, of course; but 'temper .sens r cautions fter all, there Is something about a Christmas ted-- t d u doo-trag- lc Somehow It fit Into Just doesnt the Christmas seem picture, r does it harmonise with the splr-o- f peace on earth, good will r to a. . r-- i, t redish Christmas Day Dinner Important Event HRISTMAS J dinner In Sweden since time immemorial has been t subject of the special cart and tight of the Swedish housewife, typical Christmas day dinner is s: A consomme, boiled fish with atoes and fried buttersauce, .ham .h fried potatoes, mash of apples 3 sweet plums, porridge of rice 3 milk, and klenets" and Jam. fhe rice padding la made of the ry best rice, well cooked with lk and water, and, according to edition, an almond, bnt only one, to be hidden in the porridge fore it is served. Lucky the boy girl who finds the almond; it is Id that they then should be mar-e- d within the year. The last dish t the Christmas dinner is the soiled "klenet," a special little pae-made In variona shape and oiled In batter and served hot or Id with Jam. These traditions are 111 kept in every Swedish house-oland everybody agrees that here la no real Christmas without hese traditional dishea. . y 4 d, Richard II Entertained in Big Way at Yuletide Old CHRISTMAS celebrations ofInter? inextricably woven with the earlier Yuletide observance of the Celts, and many of them have a pagan origin, writes Isabelle Florence Story in the Wash? ington Star. It was in feudal times, however, that the observance of Christmas, still called the . Tola .'list, reached its greatest magnificence. Old records tell that- Ring llchard H gave a great Christmas east at Littlefield in the Fourteenth entury at which 2,000 oxea and 200 ,ons of wine were consumed. Bnt his monarch was accustomed to on a grand scale, tor ire ry day 10,000 persona dined at tie expense, and It is said that he mployed 2,000 cooks. Those, sure-- y were the good old days I - - TOM, DICK ANDHARRY They talk about Kris Kringla, Old Santa and SL Nick,- ..... the same, all are fame of But those Toms and Dick. i, Harry just WO stockings bung from either Side of the mantis piece of an room. They wre well filled. They bulged In. artistically but generous ly at every possible place. Over the pictures on ths walls were large branches ot spruce green, in one corner of the room stood a small Christmas tree, gayly bedecked with tinsel and favors and the very top was perched a cardboard Santa dans who atlll appeared as ruddy and festive as he had when first be had stood then seventeen years before. The stockings which hung so heavily -looked as though they . would drop their load any minute but they were securely and fastened held down at the top by heavy books. "M u to t e," cried a girls voice. The front door bad Just opened. Hello," came back the answer from tbe woman sitting before the fir In the living room. She gased with j' J of witches and 'wizards sud-- f denly came ineffectual an j; j. idea- which was, no doubt,- at I the root of Shakespeare's ref-- J t erence to Christmas time ee.jj being so holy, that then no . r fairy takes, nor witch hath j J I power to charm." If - of tbe constant THE ot Bible scenes, ot which people were accustomed to think vividly, Inspired the writing of Christmas carols. They began to make their appearance about the year 1400. This waa a new music In what waa still almost a new languors, of minstrel, literary and folk poOry. The ballad waa one ot the forms la which many of the traditional carols were cast The Christmas tree had Ita origin In Germany and la of comparatively recent adoption-iother countries, It la regarded by many as one ot the number of pagan survivals which have been engrafted upon Christianity and Christian festivities Tbe worshipers of the Norse gods, before the adoption ot Chrle tianlty, had a place In their scheme of things for Iggdrasll, the tree of the world, which, with Its roots and branches, was believed to bind together heaven, earth and helL Tbe Christmas tree la believed to be related to this tree In Its origin. It be came associated with the Christian holiday at some unknown time in tbe Middle Ages. In the United States the Christmas tree custom Is probably less than a century old. Up until tbe time of the Civil war it had not yet become a popular custom, although it was observed by a large number of the German Immigrants Since then It hai been generally adopted In this country and Canada, and is familiar In England and oth- iota Influence CAINT .end 'XQriooi are A ome of the old monkish . ! ! -- half - in' I" -- er countries the Christmas fte-- jfljoni Cftack Bailey e Fwdericklmrik ARK settle down on Christmas eve, and the tree has been appointed to its place before the big window. Decorations are unwrapped and suspendthe greet! ed among branches Strands of colored globes are festooned over the tree and plugged into the- - socket - packages are Mysterious-lookin- g In tree and the plied under It hung Tbe light is turned on, and little feet dance and little bands clap for Joyl A Christmas tree la a wonderful thing I Bnt at about this same time, ont over the country and perhaps even across the seas, another Christmas tree, invisible but no less real, la being, aet up In your House of Friendship. rti-On framework fabricated of good will, friends, relatives, loved ones pals of other days, business associates, tradesmen, colT. chums churchT lodge and club memlege dee-orate- bers fraternity brothers and sorority sisters e verybody who knows yon and your family t s contributing to your Invisible Christmas tree. There may be some who could not even expend n dime for a material ' gift who are thinking of yon with gratitude for a service rendered or a helpful word spoken in time of The gifts they discouragement place on your invisible Christmas tree may be heartfelt wishes or fervent prayers for your happiness and prosperity. , Some of these Invisible gifts may take the form of a desire to be with yon and yonr family, to share In and contribute to your en- joyment , Others may be wondering if you In health snd how your business or crops' turned out during the past year. Still others may be thinking that you are entitled to advantages and privileges that yoa have not enjoyed, and speculating bow they may aid yon in reaching your aspirations. x Or, having achieved under difficulties and handicaps, yon may have inspired others to give yoa e thought of appreciation and admin? atlon. Every kind thought of you, every conscious remembrance of you, at Christmas time, whether In your own household, among the Ice floes of the Arctic or the Jungles of the tropica, ts a gift to yon to grace yonr Invisible Christmas tree. The conventional Christmas"! ree is a wonderful thing, but the Invisible one la far more wonderful I (A till. Wiatm NniMHr tTBloa.) are - - - - ALMS and polnsettlas, or- ange trees and roses In the sun bright valley with snow and frozen lakes a few hours' ride sway In the High Sierras, that fk jr-JCalifornia In winter; so A Marlon's father, who was a New Yorker, planned to take the family to the monntalna for a white Chrlstmtfs without Christmas now, isnt Christmas at all, he said. Marion, her mother, and father and Tom and Harry, her two cone Ins- - made up the party of firs, As they were ready to start. Prince, Marlons collls mounted the running board of the car and Insisted on imstmSB JI can 1 get some trimmings for a Christmas tree! Fix up the best a sortment you've got AY, please." Lena Masters looked np the sound of the plea ant voice and a smile flashed across her face. In Just a moment she answered, as soon as 1 get this package tied up. Carefully she went over the counter, selecting such thing aa she would put on a Christmas tree her sell Tarda and yards of sliver boxes of Christmas snow, numerous tree ornaments, several Santa Claus figures, and all the other things that go to make a Christmas tree a thing to exclaim about And on the top layer of the box she put a beautiful shining sliver star, carefully wrapped in tissue paper. Then she tied the p a e k g e and handed it across the counter. ."Somebod y going to hevo a candles on Christmas eve; and then huge log was rolled onto the hearth, called the Yulelog. This log was eo large that It required the strength of several men to roll it Into place. Tbe log waa cut from a tree felled at midnight; and wu to be placed on the hearth during midnight mass on Christmas eve, end wee to be lighted by the bead of the family. A piece of thla burning wood waa to be laid aside to light tbe next year's log with, while at tbe eame time, It wonld protect the household daring the coming In some sections' of Geryear. many a piece of thla charred wood was placed under the bed to avert d the lightning stroke. The burning of the Yulelog in each homestead seems to have been anrvival of tbe adoration once offered to the tun at tbe winter much-dreade- sol-stlc- ef ALL tbe old festivals, ll in ua spiritual Awakening Joy, It eeems to make all spiritual Is hope possible, all faith wimple and ness. Amer- X J f i'ii ens tbe strongest aSd heartfelt associations. There 1 it la a tone of solemn and aa i! jl cred feeling that blende with our conviviality, and lift the spirit to a state of hallowed J and elevated enjoyment going. With much coaxing on Marions part he was allowed to do eo. $ Washington Irving. When the showy playground was reached there was .plenty of fun with snow-babattles, skating, lessons In skiing with many spills and thrills. Then the suggestion for a Believed Holly Used in toboggan ride was answered with Church Would Bring Luck shrieks of delight Marion and her mother decided to with Its brilliant red let the father and boys try It first pjOLLY, and rich green leaves la while they gathered more courage. an accepted Christmas' decoration, Prince stood by excitedly, not Just because It la an attractive wagging his tall and voicing bis ap- and cheerful plant but because In tbe early days it was thought to proval In sharp barks. It was a thrilling ride but a safe he hateful to wltchea and there one so Marlon and her mother read- fore offered protection against them, ily took their places for the second says an article In the Washington slide- - As they started down hill, Post Later It was need as a re Prince gave a quick leap, caught minder of the crown of thorns Marion by her coat and pulled her Christ wore, the scarlet berries repoff the toboggan Into the soft snow ; resenting the blood he shed. Tbe returned like a flash and canght her superstition then grew that If one mothers clothing In like fnanner and could obtain a piece of boily- - which dragged her free of tbe toboggan. had been used In a church It would Several times they made the at- bring good luck all year and wopld tempt but Prince simply would not protect against lightning. be pacified and at last they bad to chain him to a tree so they conld take their ride. For tnen and boys ' Christmas in 1066 The most tragic Christmas day In English history waa that of 10CC, when William the Conqueror was enthroned: The Saxon archbishop, Eldred, before placing the crown on Williams head, asked In Saxon If tbe congregation would have William for their king. Their yea, It was atright, but Prince did not uttered in a hoarse roar, made the were about approve of so dangerous looking a Normans fear that they kill William, and they drew their sport for.hls little mistress and her to swords and attacked. On that dreadmother. ful Christmas day the Abbey pave Well, daddy," said Marion, coaxed you to let Prince come, so I ment ran red with blood. suppose I deserve to get rolled In the wet snow ; but poor mother had to pay for my coaxing, too, and I Aipsnps Fens as Dacoratioa am sorry." Asparagus fern wound about tbe Lets not be sorry about any- cords makes an attractive disguise thing today. Its Christmas," her for the mechanics of the Christmas father replied, theres a huge log tree lights which ere need as table flrejn-th- e lodgejnd youll noon be decoration. The lines of trailing ' warm and dry." green may be made to etmolat a till. Vntin Newspaper Datea.) pumpkin vine, with tiny paper pumpkins at each light. Care for Homeikkseu ; Christmas Is a cure for homesick 9pcc X an old British mansion IN MANY waa customary to light tall QF The Freech Seats Claes The French Santa Clans dressed Uke a Harlequin in the natural and utterly certain. old pantomine ican Magazine. On. 5fttCv tin-ee- l, Sf Wasted Package A dentists Uttie b came down the other morning with n package that wasnt to be open till Christmas and naked to have It Christlovely aba said. mas, I can Imagine beautiful thla tree will OS3 MEUVIN paused a moment before he went up tbe rickety stairs 'that led to the room where dnmb Soupy" Sam would rent him a bed for the night for the sum of tea cents. He canght eight ot a light, girlish figure staggering long the street toward him. She topped suddenly with groping hand , Something wrong!" he asked gently. I guess Im blind 1 My eye were the whispered words he caught Her wide eyes did seem sightless to him. He took her arm quickly under his. Perhaps It Is Just for I the" moment iU bVglad to take yoa I home if you tell me where to go.1 She eras a slight thing, and pretty under other circumstances, Rosa thought. He learned In that brief but eventful wa! that abe had been studying art In tha city, but success bad not com her way. Tbe Christmas rush In. tbe stores bad given ber an opportunity to earn The lights bad bothered money. ber after the strain ber eyes bad , t ? i how Burning the Yule Log, Old Christmas Custom lour Invisible ur - 3 (DDti warns wistful eyes at the stockings, then she called, although she knew the answer Yea T Who U Oh, Mumale, tbe girl exclaimed as she came In tbe door, bow loveAnd yoavs ly the house looks 1 trimmed the stairway since Tvs been gqne. Did yon put some green In' the pulpit!" . Louise Waterbury ran out of the living room and np the stalra, around the bend of which was an opening which strongly resembled a pulpit- - architecturally. There again and .Again aa a child Louise had preached sermons" to Mnnude who had sat on tbe stairs, the sole text and listener to her sermon on the theme she loved the best. It gave her a chance for so many repetitions, and again and again. In her own way aha wonld give her text, Samel, Samel; and ha answered Here-aAgain and again the Lord would call Samuel In Louises recltatloil If she bad gathered some of her friends together at ' any time she bad formed a choir processional and they bad added to the service by singing From Greenland's Icy Mountains.' It was inch a graphic hymn. She could see India's coral strand, the great Icy mountains of Greenland and the hot soil of Africa all vividly In her mind. d Yea,' tba pulpit ; bad been with great branches of green spruce and pine and hemlock. Thera was nothing in tbe house which didnt show that It was Christmas time and the room where they sat, with Its four windows. Its wreaths at i each one, Its whit woodwork, its huge open fire dancing gayly and throwing shadows and lights and making a wonderful series of fantastic, fanciful pictures on the walla, all breathed the spirit of the season. -.So they had sat every Christmas eve now for seventeen years. Mom-sl- e had waited until Louisa was a year old to decorate the house. Hadn't we better be having supper now! Weve a long evening ahead. So these two celebrated their Christmas together, one of them (rid, tbe other yonng. And when Lenise said good night to Mnmsle one little happy tear did escape her; and Mnmsle felt it on her cheek. "Whats tbe matter, dearie!" Nothing at all I" Louise exclaimed. "Only Ive been thinking that the most wonderful gift of all, the most beautiful Christ-ha- s gift, or gift of life or anything and every-- , thing, la tbe way you have always made ns have so moch happiness and so mnch Joy out of 'days keeping and entering Into tbe spirit of them, and la making the day-b- y - day living so something beautiful snd so happy. Oh, Mnmsle, you put tbe spirit of Christmas into every moment of the year." And Mamsle bagged Louise and aid : My, dear, youre the secret of it all It is because a young, young creature such aa yon, has. never, sever made me feel old P in II M. WMtora Sivwww Dates) 'iinr Out ot the Depths Site Bible Scenes Inspired the Writing of Carols CHRISTMA3.LEGEND.ii look. Tbe man took the box end started to move away, then returned rather Pardon been under In ber lowly. studying and be stam- that me, night on ber way home darkbut mered, ness deeper than the night bad but there waa something about the come over them, way you said that that aet me to A rigid faced landlady eame to Do you have folks of the d(Mr, thinking. Jn a moment Rosa your pwn, and and a Christmas glimpsed the situation. The woman tree end everything! beard the explanation with a scowl ; For a moment Lena Masters waa and he decided to wait until ha had alien!; then as she looked into the seen the helpless girl to her room. strong, kind face, ahe answered: Then he said quietly; The only relative I have, en uncle, Look after her well, and I will Uvea in Montana, and end I have see that you are paid." never had a home Chrletmea. But She has her room paid until but I love the day Just the same.1 Sunday night After that the city Then John Anderson told her will take care of her unless ahe something of his own life. He bad baa the cash Sunday night Ton had been look like n bum to me, but It you get gone away at twenty-twsent abroad as the representative of j the money, nU right" the woman a large concern now, after five said shortly. years be had com back at the reRoss smiled. Ton have my numquest of hie father, to help him with ber; but. Ill have the money. Be bis boalness. HI father and moth- good to ber. She' a mere kid and er were growing old. And because up against tL . he had come hack, they wanted So am L" ahe replied sharply, Christmas tree, and ao be had come Tbe next morning early he was et for the fixings. an agency. He stepped to tbe desk Later that evening. Just aa Lena Just In time to hear a man say. Masterawas getting ready for clos- ThatajBO Job for mg L" and .go mu ing time, she looked np to find John I'll take It," Ross agreed. Anderson standing by the counter. The clerk smiled. "Thla Job Is He was accompanied by a sweet-face- driving a truck for tbe construction old lady his mother, Lena company at Mlllburg. The truck knew even before he introduced carries explosives. them. I Just had to bring mother For two days Rose' drove tbe down, he said. Aa soon as I told truck. Saturday night he received her about you today, she Just In- his two days pay and hurried to 90 sisted that you spend Christmas East street, paid the grin landwith ua. Too you've got to see lady rent for another week, end tbe Christmas tree, you know; you talked for cue long happy hour with bad a part In Its making." the girl he bad vowed to aid. Her Tbe days that followed were the eyes had Improved a little, and unhappiest Lena Masters Jiad ever der his -- quiet determination she known. The Joy agreed to rest during tbe coming ot Christmas week. was multiplied a I I dont see why you ere eo, hundred fold by good to me," she said besitatlngty at the kindness and parting. attention shown Her hand sought his. But your her. The Andervoice out of tbe darkness I know I son family left O, 1 knowl" nothing . undone The next week, the fates seemed to make her hapto take a hand In remolding bis life. py. And they told her over and over again bow much ber o i i H V j ; ;s e at at be tr- - r: i coming bad to them There was but one tiny on her cloud sky, the thought that this could not last forever. But Lena Masters feund the happiness that Christmas had brought her waa going, to be lasting. From now on, all the Joy of happy home life and comradeship was going to be hers. For, as they stood beside the gleaming Christmas tree, John Anderson's band reached out and clasped hers, and she heard him whisper: Ever since I put that star on the Christmas tree. It It seems like symbol ot the hnpplness that lies ahead for us two. meant AIL (A. !. Wctra Newspaper t'aloa.) t and one event followed another speedily. He looked up from his end gine to eee bis fathers figure and bear him say: Lad, one of my engineer friends here spotted you and told me. Its I feel that I almost Christmas. have been unjust to you but wont you Come home! Ross mind lingered on the work Christmas, and he said Bimply, I will If I can bring some one wltV ine. No, not my wife, but a girl I hope to make my wife." So It came about that one eventful evening ItoSs bent over a pale, flower-likface and looked Into dark eyes to which a "great city physician had brought tbe blessing of sight ; and she said : Dear, what a dream It seems I This beautiful home and yon with me 1 And just n few weeks ago, yon and I down e depths, sweetheart. 1 be- out the moment 1 saw cUmb to gan yon that night." And you took me with yoa" bells broke ths chime of Into her words with distant music what are those bells!" she aaked wonderingly. " He touched her lips with hie, Christmas bells, little girl, ringing out the old for ns forever!" ot fur-coate- i ten It e Har Christmas Wreath 1 would not wear tbe lanrel, said the dear, coquettish maid, for of the pathway leadings onto fame I ntn afraid. . The cedar la too somber, the holly ta too gay. I will not wear tbe willow, and I cannot wear thq bay. The rose la out of season," and the' lily, too. And 1 think, on Christmas eve, IU wearsome mistletoe. The Country Home, , -- Always Mamorahla tide, with Its warm splr It of fellowship, Ita renewaDof old friendships. Itt generosity and Jollity, is always an occasion to be re memhered. American Magazine I r-- far-awa- y lift, 1931. lied nr Nwipr lymdtotU.) (ViNU pal cz i |
