HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1978-12-20, Page 17Cheery best wishes
for a warm and
happy holiday.
EAST
HURON
PRODUCE BRUSSELS
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l.an't conceal our hearty
wishes a second longer
for a holiday wrapped in
Joy and Love!
se't
We would like to say
Thank you for your patronage during 1978
During the coming year, we wish you
' Peace and Goodwill,
and ask that you
drive with courtesy and caution during
this busy season.
From the Management and Staff of
J. L. McCUTCHEON
Oas MOTORS"- Chet..
Brussels 887-6856
- • 41%, wessev
We take pride in bringing you
beautiful gifts! Merry Christmas to all
our friends!
111:EE:NGS
Wishing. you much
happiness and hoping
your dreams will
all come true.We say
"thanks-" for your
continuing faith: in us. \..
We're hoping you'll have
a rollicking holiday and
extend thanks to the loyal
patrons we're privileged
to serve all year.
JACOB'S -SADDLERY -
& SHOE. REPAIR:
Brussels
-,.
•
887-9441
BRUSSELS TRANSPORT
Brussels..
THE BRUSSELS POST, DECEMBER 20;1978 — 17
Santa, gift bringers are awaited everywhere
The whole history of
Santa Claus and other en-
chanting gift-bringers is one
of unusual and changing
variety, adding to the myth
and magic of Christmas.
Santa Claus himself
thought to be a fusion of1
Saint NichOlas and an an-'
cient Yule God. The Saint
was a 4th Century Bishop of
Myra, a Own in Asia
Minor. Patron of sailors,
bankers, and maidens,
legend states that Nicholas
saved the three daughters of
an impoverished father from
a life of probable prostitu-
tion by providing them with
gold dowries. Hence, his
association with gift-giving.
Good Saint Nicholas was
not only well-wishing. He,
and Certain other versions of
the Christmas gift bringer,
had and sometimes still
have, an accompanying ser-
vant to punish naughty chil-
dren.
Bavarian children, look
forward to a December 6th
visit from "Knecht Rup-
precht," carrier of Saint
Nicholas' holiday sweets.
Candy is distributed to good
children, while spankings
are received through
"Grumbles," a devilish fig-
ure carrying sticks in order
to accomplish his painful
task. Formal presents are
brought by the "Christ.
Child" on Deceinber 25th.
The Christ Child, or
"Christkindl," is supposed
to be a messenger appear-
ing on behalf of the about-
to-be-born Jesus and is
thought Of as a girl.
In Holland,. St. Nicholas
becomes Sante Klaas. Chil-
dren put out before the fire-
place a pair of shoes or clogs
filled with hay, water, and
carrots for the Saint's white
horse. The next morning,
they find the shoes filled
,vith candy and little pres-
'ents, or birch-rods, depend-
ing upon their behavior. The
Christ Child also rides
through the streets, bring:
ing surprise gifts to unsus-
pecting households.
. In the U.S.A., "Christ-
kindl" became verbally
slurred to Kriss Kringle, an cl
also changed MI* into al
'Father Christmas" figure
a bearded man with
sleigh and reindeer bringing
gifts and good cheer to all.
Sweden's children serve
porridge to "Father Christ-
mas" (Jultomen) and his
elfin friends (Julnissar) who
bring gifts (Julklapp) in un-
usual ways. Gifts contain-
ing several layers of wrap-
ping and dedicatory verses
are thrown through win-
dows and sometimes
brought by strangers.
The process of gift-giving
continues in much variation
around the world. Italian
children receive gifts from
Three Kings and
Befana, an old woman
searching for the infant
Jesus. Finland's
!present gift-giver is the ,
moustached, unbearded,
Ukko, an old man in caps
Viand furs. In Poland, a tradi-
tional "Mother Star" brings
gifts and in Hungary, chil-
dren look to the angels
Kids! Color the Christmas Tree!
887-6062 Brussels
Anna Hayward Anna Hamilton