HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1974-12-23, Page 16PAGE 16 ,
ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS
MONDAY , DECEMBER 23, 1974
On Rotterdam docks
BY GARY NYP
CONESTOGA •
JOURNALISM STUDENT
A large crowd, mostly
children, gathered on the Rot-
terdam docks. A brass band
played familiar songs. Many
people had been there for over
two hours to catch a better
glimpse of the honoured
visitors. St. Nicholas was
coming to Holland today.
Finally they could see the
boat from Spain on the horizon.
(St, Nicholas is from Spain).
The children bubbled with ex-
citement.
As the boat drew nearer, the
crowd could see the outlined
figures of St. Nicholas and his
ever-present companion, Black
Peter. The children started
waving frantically.
Finally St. Nicholas and
Black Peter strutted on to dry
land; amidst 5,000 screaming
Christmas greens made
holiday through years
BY DIANE NAGORSEN
CONESTOGA JOURNALISM
STUDENT
Mistletoe and holly have
been the subject of Christmas
carols, stimulants of affection
and the elements of decorations
for several hundred years.
Mistletoe was used in early
religious celebrations of the an-
cient Druids and was con-
sidered a sacred plant. Every
year, five days after the first
new moon, the Druids stood
under the tree which bore the
most mistletoe in the forest.
The Arch Druid cut the lowest
bough from the tree and gave a
sprig to each of his followers.
The offering was accompanied
by a prayer" that each who
receives a branch should find
divine favor and a blessing
from nature".
A Scandinavian myth began
the custom of kissing beneath
mistletoe at Christmas time.
The goddess Friega was said to
have stood underneath a sprig
of mistletoe which hung from a
tree and she offered kisses to
those who passed beneath it.
This practice has progressed
through the centuries and
today thousands of North
Americans recognize the
mistletoe as a symbol of Christ-
mas affection.
Holly was worshipped before
Christ's birth by people who
considered its greenness in win-
ter as a promise of the sun's
return in the coming new year.
In early France and Britain,
holly was hung on doors to
signify that Christ dwelled in
these homes.
The use of holly continued to
symbolize Christ and was used
at the celebration of his birth.
Early Christians believed that
Christ's crown of thorns was
made from holly leaves and
berries. The white berries were
turned red by blood drawn
from Christ liy the thorns.
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cliappiness,
kindness,
and tidings
of good will
are what
we wish you
on this
holy and happy
holiday. We send
you our best through
this little message to show our appreciation.
tl
SHELL BROS. LIMITED
AN stI .STAFF
;a h v� •= , Olds Chevelle — Chevrolet Trucks
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children.
St. Nicholas was riding his
beautiful white horse, He was
dressed in his long scarlet robe.
To cover his long white hair, he
wore a bishop's hat with a gold
insignia of the cross. In his
right hand he carried his tong
shepherd's staff, His face was
covered with a warm smile un-
der his long white beard.
Black Peter wore a pair of
green velvet knickers over his
white stockings. He had on a
white shirt which looked like
something a gypsy might wear.
On his head, he wore a green
velvet beret with a long red
feather protruding from it. In
his right hand he carried a
bunch of sticks tied together,
which seemed to peer
menacingly at each child who
might consider himself bad. He
dragged a large white bag over
his shoulder.
The bag was what the
children were interested in.
Suddenly Black Peter dipped
into the bag and whipped hun-
dreds of small cookies among
the crowd. Children swarmed
after the treats.
Tradition states that during
the week before St. Nicholas'
birthday, Black Peter listens in
each chimney in his search for
children that have been bad. If
he finds one, he uses his stick to
his hest advantage. If they con-
tinue their had ways, the child
is stuffed into Black Peter's
white bag and carried off to
Spain.
There, the children are made
into the small cookies that
Black Peter throws to the
crowds each year.
The children naturally go out
of their way to behave during
this week.
The long awaited week had
officially begun in Holland.
The children rushed home to
prepare their stockings and fill
their wooden shoes with hay for
St. Nicholas' horse. Each night
St. Nicholas would visit them
with a surprise.
However, Black Peter did all
the work. He had to descend
the chimneys while St. Nicholas
waited on the roof. His horse
couldn't fit down the chimney.
This week was merely, the
preliminary to the big day, St.
Nicholas Day. On the eve of his
birthday, December fourth, the
children would again prepare
happy season to you,
with greetings and
good wishes from us.
GORD BLECK
BLUEWATER ELECTRONICS
236-4224
their stockings and fill their
shoes with hay. Then they had
to sing in front of the fireplace
for St. Nicholas. Finally they
went to bed.
On December fifth, St.
Nicholas' birthday, the
children rose bright and early.
Tliey were made to' seatcfi'for
their gifts and by the time they
found them they would have to
get ready for school.
They didn't mind schoo„t on
this day because St. Nicholas
would come to visit them.
St. Nicholas would also visit
all the hospitals and bring gifts
for all the sick children.
At the end of the day, St. ,
Nicholas boarded his boat
again, destined for Spain.
Again crowds saw him off and
children were already making
plans for next year.
•
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•
L}I ay this holy holiday shine down its
blessings on all our neighbors, friends.
Thanks for the kindness shown to us.
LUCKY DOLLAR FOOD MARKET
ZURICH
Clarence Gascho and Family
Our sincere wishes for
a holiday abounding with memory -
making good times. We
extend thanks for your Loyalty
and continued confidence.
BERT KLOPP
Co -Operator's Insurance Association
R.,12.3, ZURICH 236-4988