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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1989-12-20, Page 291OA — THE HURON .EXPOSITOR, 'DECEMBER 20, 1989 itappyliolidays rom a policyholder's liyholder's best end Metre luau l`i'fe® • Sala. MARK McLLWAIN Exeter 235-1344 Stratford Office 271-2041 GET MET. IT PAY5. Netropi).Lite ANI)AIII,IA11 )t,)Mn11 1986 Metropolitan Lite Insurance Company, Canada To our friends and customers, wishing you the Happiest Holiday Season. Thank -You for your patronage throughout the year. RYAN CONSTRUCTION Welding and Repair R.R. 2 Brussels 887-6916 Your goodwill and pehonoyc throughout the year hos mods us proud. 'Thanks to oil t fiaPay finPidag Laurie, Helen, Grant �� Ai•ik & Su6ie McKELLAR Commercial enc Barn Painting. 345-2879 R R 112 Stolle It is our pleasure to wish you every happiness this Christmas. PRO SHOP CLOSED DEC. 23 TILL APRIL 1 SEAFORTH GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB 41 P s Season's Greetings May your holiday be wrapped in joy and friendship. We are happy to say thanks to all our friends and customers for your support in our first year. Dave and Michelle Deighton and Staff man t e n SEAFORTH .t mit customs �, #r ti THE BLAZING }WHEEL In one area of Germany a great wheel is bound with straw and then taken up to the top of a 'bill near a river. The wheel is then set on fire and rolled down the hill. If the wheel still burns and rolls into the river, it is said to be a good sign that Santa will come. NO `VEI S MOVING One Christmas tradition of the Norwegians was that during that season anything with wheels - wagons, spinning wheels etc., was not to move. It was thought a great sin against the sun to keep a wheel moving during this time - it could mean that they wanted the sun wheel to move faster. On wonders what would it be like today if this custom were still in effect. CHRISTMAS OF LIGHTS In the 19th Century Christmases in Western Europe glowed with light: In Spain, children scattered through ci- ty streets carrying tamps on poles to light the way for the Three Kings who brought gifts - In Italy the flames of candles lit ornate church creches. In Germany, halls were purposefully kept dark so that children would be dazzl- ed as they burst into a room where bright candles burned on the Christmas tree. In Sweden, young girls wore bonnets of candles as they brought music and hot drinks at 2 a.m. on St. Lucias Day, December 13. In France, windows blazed with light on Christmas night as the yule log was ceremoniously ignited. THE DAY THE MILLS MELTED The American Revolution strengthened the ties among the American people, but even in its revolt it did not utterly destroy the traditions of England, its parent nation. Many Christmas traditions of England were still kept, although it felt no longer any obligation to follow the court fashions. But the French revolt was quite dif- ferent. They tried to reject Christmas along with the monarchy. Worship was suspended on Christmas Day. Church bells were melted for their bronze. RUSSIA CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS No meat was served for 40 days prior to Christmas, by the Russians in the 19th Century. Then on the day before Christmas no food was served at all until the first even- ing star appeared. After Mass they feasted on pastrami, geese, duck, quail and pigs. Tangerines and applies were strung up. Walnuts, dipped in egg white, and then rolled in sheets of gold foil were hung by threads. Dolls were made of candy and dried fruits. A frosty Christmas meant a rich grain harvest for next year, to many Russians. If the skies stayed dark, the cows would. be productive, and starry skies promised a good crop of peas. SHAR Cr A SHEAF It used to be incandinavia that not, a common person would':tit down to a meal on Christmas ,Day unless he had hung a sheaf of wheat or corn to a long pole out- side for the birds. An extra feast of suet was also sometimes tied to trees. CHRISTMAS EVE SHOEING On Christmas Eve 'some Tyrolean like to sit on the floor and kick a shoe over their shoulder, then watch to see in what position it lands. If the shoe lands upside down they believe that things won't fare so well for the coining year, but if the shoe lands with its sole down, supposedly good luck is coming. THE TURNIP'S TURN A special turnip is saved by the people in Labador for a Christmas church service. The children consider it one of the happiest times of Christmas when they are given small lighted :candles that stand in the special turnip. In past years the candles were ones that could be eaten, as well as the turnip - for they were made of deer tallow. Now the candles are imported and not edible, so ,part of the fun is gone, but still the children love watching the candles as they burn. As the HOLIDAY SEASON approaches; our thoughts turn to the true meaning of this nappy time. During the course of the year and in the rush o/ events, we lend to overlook the important friendships Mel are the real basis -of ell business relationships. And so 1( is that we would like to ;Masts(*) the routine of businossand express our sincere hope Mal your HOLIDAY sgASON willbe Joyous -end Happy And that the New Year will bring Good Health and Prosperity. to You and Yours. May the.ght of His love be with you during this holiest of seasons, HURON DEAD STOOK :I^ tiWaynp .& il14ary ;Smith r&.$teff 1 4 VidNIVN 233x.'9811 1Ifl9la265r5972 FROM THE VINCENT FAMIL Y & STAFF .$EARCU Mutt' 0710120 CHRISTMAS .CRIB It was St. Francis of Assissi who made the first tangible 'form of the Christmas crib that we know today. On Christmas Eve in 1223 St. Francis constructed the crib and grouped the figures Joseph, 'the ox and ass, the shepherds hp errds around it. The fact that he used seal animals In a real stable made a bigger im- pact on the people. Soon the custom spread from Italy to Spain, Portugal, France, the Netherlands, and Germany, and then spread to all the corners of the earth. ONLY FOUR HOURS OF CHRISTMAS There are only four hours of daylight on Christmas Day in Iceland. These four hours are spent attending church services. AN IRISH WELCOME TO STRANGERS In a great percentage of our American homes lights are placed in windows. This custom originated from an Irish custom. On Christms Eve a Candle light To shine abroad through Christmas night That those who pass may see its glow And wake with Christmas smile or so Candles were placed in windows on Christmas Eve to guide the way and as an invitation to any who might be wandering around, as did Mary and Joseph, trying to find a place to stay for the night. Poor wanderers and tramps are welcom- ed everywhere in Ireland. These wanderers are given a good meal, a confortable bed to sleep upon and then sent on their way in the morning after being given a bit of money. A LOVE FEAST CONTINUED An early sect of Germanic Protestants, the Moravians, migrated to America in the 18th Century. In the Old World affectionate generosity was basic to the Moravians, who celebrated a love feast for Christmas with Scripture, music and food. Now, in their new homeland the love feast continued. It is recorded that the Moravians in Bethabara, North Carolina, on Christmas Day of 1760 brought a "pret- ty Christmas verse and a gingercake" to their English neighbors. A TINY CAMEL 'TRAVELLER The Syrian children have no Santa Claus but they have a story, about a tiny camel that carne on the long trip with the Wise Men. The title camel grew very tired and hungry. So it is that on Christmas Eve if you should see bowls of water and grain outside the doors you will know that the children placed them there for this tired little traveller. When Christmas morning comes, the good children find gifts but the bad children supposedly get black marks on their wrists. THE CHRISTMAS BANNER Though the Christmas flag is said to be centuries old it is little known to most of us as a part of our celehrating. The Christmas flag colors are of course red and green. A ground of green is inside the ground of red, and a red cross is within the green. It called the Iianner,of.ithe Cross. MEXICAN MERRY CHRISTMAS Many Mexicans hold a nine -day Christmas festival called the Posada, meaning inn. The children will form in groups and march up and down the stairs in their homes, singing hymns and knocking on doors. Each room represents an inn and as the children knock, someone who is inside shouts, "No room .at this inn; you cannot enter". The little pilgrims grow tired of knocking on doors but finally someone unexpectedly opens a door and there they see a doll representing Jesus upon a table. Around the infant are toys and greenery surrounds them. Mexico also has the famous pinata - an earthen pot called an olla filled with small toys, candy, fruit and nuts, much like the type of things children find in their Christmas stockings. The olla is hidden in- side a paper clown, bull bird, etc...which is gaily decorated with tissue paper, flowers and long ribbons. A cord is attached to the head of the pinata and fastened to the ceiling. The old as well as the young gather around the pinata singing Christmas carols as they join hands in a circle. Someone is blind- folded; with stick in hand he is turned around and around three times: then, he is told to strike carefully and with much force. Everyone laughs as the person strikes in the wrong direction. different people are given a try. Finally the pinata is broken - everyone yells and claps their hands. There is a mad scramble by all to grab candy, gifts and oranges. CHRISTMAS FISHING The fishermen in Newfoundland "fish for the church" during Christmas week. They bring their catch to be ,sold and the pro- ceeds are to go to the curate of the local .parish. it is also the custom for villagers in ,out - .port towns to "chip in" with .a great load of wood for the curate. 'CHRISTMAS IN THE CHICKEN COOP There is a saying among some in Switzerland that ;if you go to the chicken coop on Qhrist!uas Day, before midnight, and clip,the chickens' wings that they will be safe from beasts of prey. For two Saturdays prior to Christmas the Swiss children set a shoe outside; if they are good they will be delighted to find candy and walnuts in it. On Christmas morning these children will find the tree loaded with presents. It is also believed that if you tied straw around tree trunks in the orchard on Christmas Eve by lantern -light that the trees will produce an abundant crop dur- ing the coming year. A BOX OF GOODIES Instead of hanging stockings the Puerto Rican children put boxes on the roofs for Santa to fill with toys. In this country there is a beautiful celebration observed on January 12 by the children; it is call Bethlehem Day. This procession is in memory of the Wise Men of the East. The children dress in colorful costumes, as the Magi; they ride ponies or horses as they carry gifts in their hands • for the Infant King. Many shepherds, angels and flute -players are also in the parade. CHRISTMAS FOR THE COWS The cows of Norway in former years were fed salt in a cowbell on Christmas Day. This supposedly assured that during the following summer that in the evening the cows would come home from the pastures on their own. A MYSTERIOUS DOLL Christmas is ushered in early Christmas morning by the ringing of bells in the Philippines. After attending the church ser- vices, ehildren form a floral procession, singing carols as they are led by a band. After the landing of Magellan in 1521 at Cebu, it was found that the natives were worshipping a doll which they told had been mysteriously given them. The doll was of European worksmanship and is believed to have been left by Magellan. The Augustinian friars built a church in which this image was carefully preserved. LITTLE SEALS TRAVEL The first Christmas seal was endorsed by Denmark's royal family, and was designed and put on sale in that Country's post office. A children's hospital was need- ed in Copenhagen in 1904. Einar Holboell, a postal clerk, thought of the idea to sell seals to be placed on packages and letters, to finance the cost of the hospital. The Danish citizens bought enough seals to insure mnedical care for the sick children. One bright little seal stuck on a letter that was addressed to Jacob Riis went across the ocean to America. Jacob Riis inquired about its purpose; he was so im- pressed that he wrote an article that was published in the Outlook describing the seal's achievement. From there, the arti- cle inspired Miss F.mily O'Bissell of Wilm- ington, Delaware, who organized the first sale of Christmas seals in the United States, thus building a tuberculosis pad lilon. -Later ;the lied Cross wnidd ioi s with the. National Tiiberculosis,Association for the sale of Christmas seals - ac- complishing much good- work. A CHRISTMAS BROWNIE Instead of Santa Claus the children of Denmark have a Christmas brownie nam- ed Nisson. Nisson is a little old man with a long, gray beard whom they are told lives underground. After the storks leave their nests in the fall, people bring loads of pig -shaped, coarse, brown crockery by boat to Den- mark. Each little crockery pig, has a slit in his back; the images are bought by the children to drop in their pennies to save until Christmastime, at which time the lit- tle pigs are broken. Candle -making is an annual event during these holidays and is regarded of great importance. A Danish Christmas is comprised of roast goose, rice and apple fritters. A GILDED AND A BLACK BOOK St. Nicholas has a feast day on December 6 in Belgium. He goes from house to house followed by a black ser- vant, Nicodemus. While St. Nicholas, vested as a bishop, carries a gilded book in which to write all the good children's names, his servant carries a black book in which to write the names of all the bad children. Nicodemus also carries a black bag in which, so the tale goes, he is to carry away the bad children. The children say their prayers and ask for their Christmas wishes. St. Nicholas is expected to come from his home in Spain. The young girls take their candles at midnight to the well to see the faces of their suppos- ed future husbands. The Belgians have a superstition that if a light. accidently is put out at the Christmas table then some guest will die during the coming year. i y THE SHAPE OF THE FUTURE After the meal on Christmas Eve in Czechoslavakial melted lead or wax is poured into ,water ,and the future is guess- ed at by the shapes the lead or wax makes. Coming events are also supposed- ly indicated by cutting apples across to show a star of seeds. Tiny candles float in nutshells in .pans of water, The girl who will have the best husband and live the Turn to page 11 • S e Chlaitaigto We hope !the Yule season is festive for all our .wonderful friends! ski fir eo 'ort '',5174#2,1t0