The Citizen, 1994-12-21, Page 27THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1994. PAGE 27.
Christmas tree, a favourite seasonal custom
Of all Christmas customs,
perhaps the most universally
treasured is the Christmas tree.
Brightly decorated with
shimmering lights and glittering
ornaments, the tree is as likely to
reflect the traditions of each
individual family, as it is those or
the world at large.
From the exciting moment when
the tree is erected, usually some
days in advance of Christmas Eve,
it commands a position of central
importance during all holiday
festivities.
So much so, that it is difficult to
believe that, a scant 200 years ago,
the custom of trimming a tree at
Christmastide was not widely
observed outside its native
Germany.
One legend credits Martin
Luther, the 16th century theologian,
with having set up the very first
Christmas tree. According to this
legend, Luther conceived of a tree
alight with countless candles as a
way of representing to his children
the glory of the starlit Heaven.
However, historical sources
indicate that the first Christmas tree
can be traced to the early 17th
century, when fir trees - decorated
with coloured paper, gold foil,
apples, toys and candies - were
reported in the German city if
Stasburg.
What are the antique origins of
the Christmas tree? Historians point
to a multitude of sources, among
them the Roman custom of decking
residences with evergreens during
the festival of the Kalends, which
occurred in the early part of
January.
Parallels between the Roman
observation of Kalends and the
festivities traditional at Christmas
are many and include those of
decorating the home with lights,
extending lavish hospitality to
friends and family, as well as
extravagant gift-giving.
Many early Christian beliefs
stand behind the tradition of
trimming a tree at Christmas. For
instance, it was customary for
people to bring flowering trees,
such as hawthorn or cherry, indoors
during the autumn, so that they
might bloom and bring forth fruit
on Christmas Eve.
This tradition may derive from
the belief that St. Joseph of
Arimathea, settling a Glastonbury
in western England, planted his
staff in the earth, whereupon it
became a thorn tree and sprouted
leaves. Further more, it
miraculously blossomed.
Dec. 24, according to the old
Church calendar, was the Feast of
Adam and Even, on which day it
was traditional to hang a fir tree
with red apples. This Paradise Tree,
as it was called, is certainly a
forerunner of the Christmas tree as
we know it.
There are some very pretty
stories associated with both pine
and fir trees, among the most
popular choices for Christmas
trees. According to one legend, the
pine tree provided a hiding place
for the Holy Family when they
were fleeing from the soldiers of
Herod.
The fir tree, according to another
legend, boasted both flowers and
fruits until Eve discovered the tree
and plucked its treasures. From that
time on, the legend continues, only
needles grew on the fir tree until,
on the evening of Nativity, it
suddenly blossomed once again.
Today, centuries later, the
Christmas spirit is still represented
in the timeless manifestation of the
ever-beautiful, ever-enhancing
Christmas tree.
Wishing you a
Season evokes memories
Of all special days, Christmas
evokes the most memories. These
dreamlike excursions into a
vanquished past are made of many
things - the merry blinking of
lights garlanded about a fragrant
evergreen; the savor of cinnamon
and nutmeg, ginger and allspice
adding its scent and flavour to
cookies cut in festive shapes; the
crackel of a yule log on a cozy fire;
the razzle-dazzle of brightly
coloured wrappings and ribbons.
Christmas memories are made of
sounds and scents, sights and
tastes, bound together with good
feelings. They reach back through
the years and decades, to the
earliest recalled moments of
childhood and beyond, to stories
told of holiday seasons long before
- memories passed on by parents
and grandparents - to become part
of the fabric of this most magical of
seasons.
People from all over reach out to
one another, and families come
together to rejoice and celebrate, to
recall and make memories, and
their sense of an occasion cele
brated in common has the power to
overcome differences.
This rebirth of the human
community and family unity is the
true wonder of Christmas, and
infuses the season with the glow of
childhood, as glorious as it is
innocent. It is the stuff from which
dreams - and memories - are made,
and, for that, it is all the more
precious.
(Merry Christmas
and a
(Happy 9^ew
year
It's always
a treat to
serve you!
CaroCs
Candies dr
Cotfectabbes
523-4700
May the warmth and wonder
of this joyous season embrace
you and yours, now and
throughout the year.
Classic, a magical musical
Oliver!, the hit musical based on
one of Charles Dickens' best known
works - Oliver Twist - considers
itself at home at The Centre In The
Square on Tuesday, Jan. 3 and
Wednesday, Jan. 4.
Featuring the lyrics and music of
Lionel Bart, Oliver! is overflowing
with such favourites as Food,
Glorious Food, Consider Yourself,
Where Is Love, and As Long As He
Needs Me.
Bart's adaptation of the Dickens
novel highlights one waif's
adventures as an orphan in the 19th
century London. From his
disastrous days al a pauper's
workhouse through his terrorizing
apprenticeship to a treacherous
undertaker, Oliver manages io
survive and escape.
Living tree,
keeps
season alive
Continued from page 26
where the temperatures will
remain relatively even.
7. The tree can move back outside
in late winter or early spring, late
March to early April.
A living Christmas tree can be a
rewarding and challenging way to
keep a Christmas memory alive,
even in the middle of July.
This musical version of Dickens'
classic transforms the dark, yet
poignant, story into one that is
almost light. Bart downplays the
dreariness of England during the
Industrial Revolution, instead
adding humour to his villains and
victims, creating heartwarming
incidents at every opportunity.
Call the box office for more
information, 519-578-1570 or toll
free 1-800-265-8977.
Holiday Hours:
Thurs., Dec. 22 & Fri., Dec. 23
10-9
Sat Dec. 24 - 9:30 - 5:30
Closed December 25 & 26
Open December 28, 29 & 30
10 ■ 5:30
Closed Dec. 31 - Jan. 3
Reopening January 4
Reg Hours
Whitney -
Ribey
Funeral
Home
Seaforth
Frosty Says "Ml"
And so do we1 Plus "thanks" for being such good
friends and helpful neighbors.
As we ready our hearts and homes for a happy
holiday season, we look forward to expressing our
sincere gratitude to you for taking the time to
stop by and bringing your business to us Have a
truly joyous Christmas.
K.G. Electronics
357-4173
Kevin, Nancy, Jessie & Justin Gillis
Kgpice
in the glory that is Christmas, and the
promise of peace, hope and brotherhood
for all mankind.
We appreciate your continued support.
BETTS
FUNERAL HOME
Stephen & Lynn Betts
Brussels 887-6336