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Show THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23. 1976 URSDAY. DECEMBER 23, 1976 PLEASANT GROVE REVIEW. PLEASANT GROVE. UTAH , vv THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS III BICENTENNIAL AMERICA THE BEGINNING On December 25, 1492, the history of Christmas started in the New world, when Columbus' ship, the Santa Maria, was abandoned off the coast of Haiti. In Virginia in the year 1613 a record by an expedition of Captain John Smith reads: The extreame winde, rayne, frost and snow caused us to keepe Christmas among the salvages where we were never more merry, nor fed on more plenty of good Oysters, Fish, Flesh, Wilde fowl and nor never had better good bread, fires in England. Settlers in Virginia brought many customs from England, the burning of the Yule log, ringing bells, lavish dining, dancing, games and Christmas carols. Churches and homes were decorated colorfully, and parties and balls were memorable. The Pilgrim Fathers arrived in Plymouth some 7 years later, bringing with them their strong distaste for Christmas. Thanksgiving day, with its feasting and neighborly celebrations with friendly Indians, was more like Christmas. In 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts enacted the law by which "anyone who is found observing, by abstinence from labor, feasting, or any other way, any such days as Christmas day, shall pay for every such offense 5 shillings." However, the Puritans did not have their way for long and the as law was repealed in 1681. HAPPIER CHRISTMASES The chief winter celebration of the jolly Dutch In New Amsterdam was on December 6, St. Nicholas' Day. Significantly enough, It was a figurehead of this very saint that graced their ship, the Goede Vrouw, that brought them to America in 1630. On St. Nicholas feast day the Dutch carried his statue down the street, with chil-dren joining in . . . the promise of presents bright in their eyes. Gradually, however, the .... Increasing number of Eng-lish in this area brought about the adaptation of many of the old customs; with the arrival of the first German dissenters in 1700, we find a tremendous In-crease in the observance of Christmas. It is with the Germans that the universal customs of Kriss Kringle or Santa Claus, and the Christ-mas tree originate. The rapid growth of our country brought about less religious antagonism. The intermingling of people of different religious and na-tional backgrounds also helped. One of the more impor- tant historical events that took place onChristmas was the crossing of the Delaware by George Washington and his troops, in 1776, when they defeated the Hessians at Trenton, New Jersey. The Americans routed the red-coats who were sleeping off the effects of the holiday! Sunday Schools, which had their beginning in the first half of the nineteenth century, helped to promote the acceptance of many folk customs, most importantly, Santa Claus and the use of the Christmas tree. Charles Dickens, in his beautiful classics, did much to popu-larize this colorful holiday, but it was some time before Christmas came to be cele-brated as we know it now. Make a Stocking Doll for Someone You Love There must be at least one or two little girls on your Christmas list who would love to own a stocking doll! Since It will be an unusual and original gift, it will be treasured twice as much. Simple directions here provide a basic doll that you can dress in any way you wish. Using a stocking or long sock, cut the pieces as shown. Sew the bottom of the body and stuff with clean rags, kapok or cotton and then tie the neck. Take the head in at the back if it looks too large for the body. Sew arms and legs and attach. Tie body in middle to make a waistline. Use bright red thread to stitch mouth and nose and make button eyes. Attach wig piece and fringe at bottom or braid. Yarn can be used for the hair also. Dress doll in any way you choose. Story book characters like Heidi or Cinderella make charming dolls . . . costumes can be copied from a favorite book. "Stirring the Christmas Pudding" from Harper's Weekly, December 30, 1876. Courtesy of The New York Historical Society, New York City. Carols and Candles Carols and candles bring added spirit and luster to Christmas. The word "carol" comes from the middle English carolen, meaning "to sing joyously." The majority or our most familiar carols date from the nineteenth century Some researchers believe that carol singing could be a carryover from the Roman songs of the Saturnalia. Francis Scott Key, noted lawyer and au-thor of The Star Spangled Banner, also wrote carols. It is little known that the comedian Harpo Marx, of the famous Marx Brothers, also authored a popular Christmas caro) Caroling on Christmas Eve is a tradition brought to America by our English forbears, that delights us all at holiday time. S X 1 pp. rf fjM T' HERE WE COME Vu I id A-- ASSAILING 8 Singing tidings of great joy S 5 8 m t 2 and thanks, and wishing g 3 jjj you all the special joy S that only Christmas brings. I GUNTHER'S I COMFORT AIR American fork, Utah .1a(S)E!EaCfl( 1 fhJ' w iK 1 W V I IIS fx vjfi I rn W 1 1 1 here's no time quite like Christmas... g when the world is bright with fantasy g and we are all children again at heart. it I In the midst of its magic, Santa and if we take a moment to wish you all you're II I wishing for, this sparkling holiday. I I 1 PLEASANT GROVE CITY CORPORATION i B 3i W.CORNELL HAYNIE, Mayor CITYCOUNCILMEN 1 MARKJOHNSON,CityRecorder D.FORD WEST E. MARK BEZZANT 1 MARGE WOFFINDEN, Treasurer JOHN HUNTSMAN FRANKMILLS a GRANT ATWOOD I li SILENT I INJllEHT u n)R m, t Uoun these among your gifts ... L I 5 L-- Si the message of that Miraculous Night, j fyC--- . the beauty and splendor of the living earth, j U our heartfelt thanks for your treasured friendship . 1 STORY PHARMACY S M Si Lavish Feast At Christmas, in the year 1492, when Columbus was spending his day in the New World, King Henry VII gave one of his most sump-tuous feasts. The King (1485-1509- ), the Queen and members of the court dined on no less than 120 different dishes . . . with peacock as its climax! He observed hol-iday customs lavishly, to say the least, serving among the many delicacies a pop-ular dish called "frumenty," made by adding sugar and spices to boiling hulled wheat. ROUND TABLE King Arthur's Round Ta-ble is traditionally believed to have been the site of the first Christmas feast. Refer-ences to the famous king have been traced back to as early as 600 A.D. |