Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1983-12-21, Page 26CLINTON HARDWARE -J-A0 Balfour Retail Sales Ltd. - 24 ALBERT STREET, CLINTON 482-7023 ltd 4 PAGE 2A—CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21. 1983 f} le cel Icti brated long before C People were celebrating Christmas long before Christ was born. That may sound like an anomaly, ,but it's not. Traditional Christmas customs have evolved from several sources, according to religion scholars like E.O. James. Many of the customs have resulted from the coin- cidence of Christ's birth with pagan mid- winter agricultural and solar observances. From the beginning of recorded history, the turn of the year in mid -winter was con- sidered an occasion to mark as a precaution against supernatural forces thought to be ragnpant and to ensure renewal of the sun's waning power. In Scandanavia, Iceland and Germany, the Yule feast extended from the middle of November to the beginning of January. German and Celtic Yule rights were add- ed to these observances when Teutonic tribes penetrated into Gaul, Britain and Central Europe. Food and fellowship, gifts and greetings, commemorated various aspects of this festive season. Since the Middle Ages, evergreens, as symbols of survival, have been associated with Christmas. Fire and light — symbols of warmth and everlasting light during the darkest and col- dest time of year — have always been con- nected with pagan and Christian winter festivals. Many customs have stood the test of time. On the Roman New Year, January 1, houses were adorned with greenery and lights and gifts were bestowed on children and the poor. Sound familiar? Christmas was not associated until toward the end of the fourth century. By then, the church was confronted with some firmly established and highly developed rituals. In the Roman world, the feast of Satur- nalia, originally held on Dec. 13 and later ex- tended for seven more days, was a time of merrymaking and exchange of gifts. December 25 was also regarded as the bir- thdate of the Iranian mystery god Mithra — the son of Righteousness. Saturnalia was observed in honor of the god Saturnus, who watched over the sowing and seeding of corn. He was honored after completion of the fall planting, when the col- dest season was beginning. Saturnus was also regarded as the first king of Latium and credited with introducing agriculture in the Golden Age. Social distinctions and public business rist was were suspended during the feast of Satur- nalia. Courts and schools were closed and the community immersed itself in feasting, gambling with dice and reversal of society's established order. Slaves were served by their masters. They donripti their masters' clothes, sat at tables with them, mocked their bosses and wore the pilleus — the badge of freedom. Soldiers also got in on the fun. No war was declared during the festival, just as all com- mercial activities, legal business and household chores ground to a halt. Things must have got pretty messy. The Romans knew how to bring home the bacon too. On the first day of the feast, a young pig was sacrificed in the temple of Saturn in the Forum. A public feast follow- ed. Senators shed their togas and pranced around in undergarments in observance of the peasant origins of the Saturnalis. Presents were exchanged. Among them were wax tapers and terracotta dolls — possibly remnants of an earlier festival of light at the darkest season of the year, like the yule log tradition in Northern Europe. Some scholars have suggested a sinister Test your international Christmas trivia knowledge Everybody thinks that space travel is something very new, but an elderly gentleman in a rather unique "space -suit" set the pace years ago. His name: Santa Claus. Now is the season when he's taking off again, for it's Christmas. How much do you know about Christmas and Santa Claus? Here are some questions, developed with the help of the editors of the Encyclopedia International, to test your knowledge. The answers are at the bottom. 1. The first known Christmas card was designed in 1843 by an Englishman named: (A) Charles Dickens (B) Sir Henry Cole (C) John Calcott Horsley 2. The first Christian Nativity feast, celebrating the birth of Christ, occurred in the fourth century on: (A) January 6 (B) July4 (0) December 25 3. Christmas did not become a legal holi- day in the U.S. until: (A) The Puritans arrived in New England (8) 1856 (C) Santa's Helpers Union went on strike. 4. The original name of the gentleman we know today as Santa Claus was: (A) Kris Kringle (B) Clement C. Moore (C) St. Nicholas 1. (C) is correct. Artist Horsley designed the first known Christmas greeting card for his friend, Sir Henry Cole, a wealthy London gentleman. Charles Dickens had his share in Christmas 1843, too. His book, "A Christmas Carol," was published that year. 2. (A) is correct. At first, January 6, the Epiphany, was observed as the feast of hanticrn with a eeeondary emphasis e Ifs folks like you, out suslomai', who make bali, is buslnass a pleasural Sim"°C.G%...9'.bu'..,,•,° ,e. ',,,, •'�n*,.�,".,s: LEFT 1O RIGHT:Mary Sutter, Alden Crich, Sandra Balfour, Cheryl Dunn, John Balfour, Tine Balfour AWOL Al TIME OF PICTURE: Dave Saundercock ...so now at this holiday season, we want to express our sincere appreciation for the part you've played in making our business what it is today. We will always do our best to justify your faith in us and in our ability to serve you. In the spirit of the season, we wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS with good health, happiness, and prosperity throughout the coming year. JOHN & SANDRA BALFOLIR AND STAFF orn side to theagan midwinter festivals — human sacrifices. For one thing, Saturnus' cult -partner Lua Mater, was connected with destructive in- fluences, and weapons were offered to her. In Rome's eastern provinces, lots were cast for a mock king, who was to exercise his rule in the role of Saturnus during the festival. He performed his functions by issuing comic commands and behaving in a ludicrous manner, like carrying a flute girl around on his back. Conjecture has it that this strange episode represented the last relic of an annual per- sonfication of the god by a virile young man. Some believe that at the end of his brief reign, the young fellow was destined to have his throat cut on the altar to renew the life of nature at the winter solstice. This custom even survived into the Chris- tian era. A young Christian soldier was put to death in 303 A.D. for refusing to play the role of Saturnus at the festival. Scholars have not firmly established, however, that the bizarre mock king rites were an integral part of the Saturnalia. on His birth. It was not until the 5th century A.D. that Christmas was generally celebrated on December 25. 3. (B) is correct. New England states outlawed the celebration of Christmas until the middle of the 19th century. 4. (C) is correct. Kris Kringle is the Ger- man name for Santa, while Clement C. Moore contributed to the image of Santa Claus with his poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas," in 1823. St. Nicholas was a real person, a fourth century bishop, and the first Santa Claus. AVERY MERRY CH-RISTMAS WITH- ALCIFi-E TRIMMINGS! Joanne and 11101 IEATS Just off Hwy. No. 4, 41/2 miles north of Clinton Watch for our sign! 523-9500 k Kelli Jerome, Vanastra Public School The Night Before Christmas On the night before Christmas, Igotinmybed. My pillow was too small for my head. My bed was too small, my P.J.'s were tight. My sister got smaller. It was a fright. I went to my friend's house, we heard a noise. Her mother was yelling at the boys. I jumped out the window, I could hardly fit. I fell on the ground, found a dirty old mitt. I finally got hime, it was very dark. Everything shrunk. I saw a shark. I went right back to bed, with a leaping bound, and never heard any more sounds. Later that night something was on the roof, t SHOP AND COMPARE ON YOUR NEXT FURNITURE PURCHASE Compare price, selec- tion and service. You'll find the best for less, in Clinton at Ball & Mutch Ltd. Home Furnishings 71 ALBERT ST. CLINTON 462.9508 Open six days a week 9- 8, Friday till 9 p.m. got out of bed like a crazy, old goof. My eyes were like jaws, when they saw San- ta Claus. He filled my stocking with a brain. He filled my brothers with a train. My sister got a tiny doll. I was almost sure that I would fall. I wanted very much to say, 'Santa, did you have a nice day?" I went back to my bed, all of a sudden it turned bright red! I really tried real hard, you see. But I couldn't get in it was too hot fon ane! In two more hours I went to sleep. In the morning I started to sweep, I ended up in a giant jeep! Gr. 5 Kerri Gingerich Huron Centennial give yourself a lift! in one of our fine cars vans trucks. $2195 prices start at ■ INCLUDING FREE 100 KM •weekly & weekend rates available •20' van truck available •12' van truck avail. holida rent -a -car system 524.8411 STRICKLANDS 334 HURON RD., GODERICH 14 ISAAC ST. CLINTON Season's Greetings and Thank You from Len Theedom - Janet Cameron - Hol Hartley - Bill Counter - Bob Thomas the staff at GAISER-KNEALE INSURANCE BROKERS INC. G.K. REALTY & INSURANCE INC. your loyalty and friendship during this past year has been appreciated. r.. 482-9747