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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1962-12-20, Page 13iidlaw's Quality Turkeys For that extra finish we feed them longer R Fresh or Frozen Oven -Ready PLEASE ORDER FROM DEYELL'S MITCHELL'S LOCKRIDGE'S Frozen Oven -Ready FROM RED FRONT GROCERY 13-20b Old Customs Observed By Navy at Christmastime In the Navy, Christmas 'is a special time marked by the ob- servance of customs evolved from pagan times but mellowed by Christian influences. The most populax--making the youngest seaman in the ship's company Captain on Christmas day -- would appear to have ancient roots, some of them hardly "proper" today. In the Middle Ages, Europ- ean cathedral towns elected a boy -bishop on December 6, the Feast of St. Nicholas, patron saint of children. He retained office until Holy Inno- cents' Day, the 28th, and dur- ing the period was accorded real privileges and powers. On election, the boy -bishop was dressed in bishop's robes, complete with the bishop's Going Home for Christmas? Get tickets and reservations now Plan a dependable train journey, Ask about low week- end fares, group coach rates, gift travel tickets. Consult your local agent. CANADIAN NATIONAL Wingham Advance -Times, Thursday, Dec, 20, 1962 -- Page 13 symbols of authority --the mitre and crozier, (just as now a war- ship's captain and his most jun- ior sailor exchange uniforms) while a number of his comrades were robed as priests. The group then toured the town blessing the people. (Today it's the boy -captain's Christmas "rounds" of the messdecks.) During succeeding days the boy -bishop perform ed all hierarchial functions, except the Mass. In some cases he was even allowed to make ecclesiastical appointments. Obviously the custom did no good to Church government, but was suppressed with diffi- culty. King Henry VIII pro- hibited it; Queen Mary I re- vived it; but Queen Elizabeth I stopped it altogether in England. However, the custom survived in Germany until 1799. Boy -bishops of yore can be traced back still further, to certain observances in pagan Rome's Saturnalia, which was officially celebrated December 17-18 but actually started a week, or sometimes a month, of festivities. During the Saturnalia, slaws sat at the family table, address- ed masters on equal terms and sometimes even were waited on by them. Army officers pre- serve the tradition to the pres- sent by serving other ranks HEAVY SNOW on the Belgrave Community Centre from the recent storm broke at least five horseshoe -shaped girders and cracked or twisted 14 others last Friday. The wooden arches buckled from the weight of the three to five foot drifts on the roof. Volunteers worked several hours Friday to remove the snow. Three of the men shown on the roof are Stanley Black, 'George Johnston and Le- wis Stonehouse. (Photo by Cantelon) their Christmas dinner. The Saturnalia reached the depths of barbarity among Roman Legions in Europe. Each year a soldier was elected for 30 days and was granted every honour and privilege. But at the end of the 30 days he was required to cut his throat. With the spread of Christianity's Everybody's talking about Britain's new one, Consul Cortina. It has a 4 -speed shift with synchromesh on all 4 gears, a zippy 53 -horsepower engine that gives up to 40 miles to the gallon, super -comfortable bucket seats, more trunk space than any other car in its class, trim new styling along big car lines, room for fiveadults, wide opening doors, an easy -to -read instru- ment panel, good all-round visibility, full width parcel shelf, glove compartment and high -output heater. How do you like it,dear? th ou an 1 to 3n/ m us C Cyou mean I can talk now? ;i'>•;`;:j:'s.#ti�i �ii't:r;Yj i;t�:� is3'~�:iiiii2isi5::;::::;:i:i:::i; ah tat to in -in it ar res Whitewalls optional. FORD SALES SERVICE illt1 CONSUL teachings, this cruel custom was reduced to a " Lord of Misrule" who still presides over carnivals in Latincountries and whose effigy is abused or burned at the fiesta's finish. Other Navy traditions at Yuletide include adornment of ship's foremasts with gaily -de- corated evergreen -- an age- old custom observed even by mariners of some Iron Curtain countries. Messdecks are care- fully decorated and cooks make it a point of honour to make Christmas dinner the best of the year. Special leave is granted wherever possible to allow inland sailors a chance to visit home over Christmas or New Year's. Parties are held annually for children of naval personnel and for the orphaned and under- privileged. nderprivileged. At Navy bases in Halifax, nearby Dartmouth, and Esquimalt, B, C. , attend- ance at these events runs into the thousands. Sailors spend spare time devising elaborate games apparatus, then dress up in storybook fashion to enter- tain, distribute gifts and good- ies to their small guests. , Charity drives by sailors and auxiliary groups are always in the van of naval Christmas activities. Join in the conversation today at your Ford British dealer 6759.8 LILLOW'S G�AL 357-3029, Wingham BLUEVALE, ONTARIO Moon of Wintertime 'Twas in the moon of winter- time When all the birds had fled, That mighty Gitchi-Manitou Sent angel choirs instead; Before their light the stars grew dim And wondering hunters heard the hymn: Jesus, your King, is born, Jesus is born, In excelsis gloria. Within a lodge of broken bark The tender Babe was found, A ragged robe of rabbit skin Enwrapped His beauty round; But as the hunter braves drew nigh, The angel song rang loud and high: The earliest moon of winter- time Is not so round and fair As was the ring of glory on The helpless Infant there, The chiefs from far before him knelt With gifts of fox and beaver pelt. Oh, children of the forest free, O sons of Manitou, A holy Child of earth and heaven, Is born today for you. Come kneel before the radiant Boy, Who brings you beauty, peace and joy. —Written by Jean de Brebeuf for Huron Indians, 1643.