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The Huron Expositor, 1970-12-17, Page 29Best wishes for a holiday season filled with happiness and good cheer. And sincere thanks for your patronage. READ'S SHOES & LUGGAGE Phone 527-0640 Seaforth Joy to the world, it is the season of Christ's birth, rich in hive and peace. We wish you a full share of holiday joy.. Grateful thanks to all. G. A. WHITNEY FURNITURE — FUNERAL SERVICE Phone 527-1390 — Seaforth Bringing Gifts At the heart of the holiday fun and feasting there glows the spirit of giving. The Wise Men sought to honor the Christ Child with rare and precious gifts — gold, frankincense and myrrh, Thus, to give of the best at Christmas is a time- honored tradition. All may rejoice in the oppor- tunity to give generously, to please family and friends with "just what they wanted," and to share with the less fortu- nate. Yet the best Christmas gifts are still those that come from the open heart as well as the open hand, and the warmth of a friendly smile, the words of a cordial greeting add Price- less meaning to the most elab- orate of gifts. '',,„Singing 'Carols "Glory to God in the high- est, and on earth, peace, good will toward men." Across the years since shep- herds first harkened to an an- gelic chorus, Christmas rings with the sound of voices raised in joyful song. Carol singing at Christmas Is both a tradition and a source of tradition. Much of the legend and lore of the sea- son is known today only be- cause it has been preserved in song — in carols passed on from generation to generation. Stocking Is Just Legend? Did a spinster hang up the first Christmas stocking? Leg- end says yes, but history says no — or at most, "Maybe." St. Nicholas, a fourth cen- tury bishop, secretly gave gifts of gold for the dowries of poor spinsters, His method was to toss the gold down a chimney by night, at Christmas. On one occasion, so legend says, the gift landed in a stocking, hung by ehe fireplace to dry. History casts a dubious eye on this "origin" of the Christ- mas stocking custom. The spinster probably didn't have a stocking — not in the fourth century. Knitted form-fitting hosiery was unknown until the thir- teenth century. Earlier, people wrapped cloth or rags around their feet as substitute for modern stockings. Even after WilliamLee in- vented the stocking "fame, a more efficient method of pro- duction, in the late 1500's, it was some time before the poor could afford to buy stockings. History makes one conces- sion to the legend tellers. Paintings froin Pompeii show that early Romans did wear some form of stockings, even before the birth of Christ. 43?,•:, • We hopo your holiday is filled with fine friends, good times. Warm wishes. THE E,XPoSITOks SE44 EPRIrtiA ONT., tOreettrogs W. H. DALRYM' & SON BRUCEFIELA ONTARIO. DEC During Christmastime we extend to all our neighbors and friends warmest wishes for a wonderful holiday. JACKSON'S GENERAL STORE Brucefield, Ont. — 482-9232 In the true and hearty spirit of an old-fashioned Christmas, we wish you the best, and thank you warmly. THE SPA '•; iT 0.1 CH 1° iSTMAS As you worship with your family at Christmas, may the true spirit of the season greatly bless you. Sincerely, we extend our greetings. Smith's Phone 627.0990 Free Delivery F. re • • • C Seaforth Phone 527.1670 Seaforth Phone 527-1720 May holiday blessings brighten your tree. Many thanks for being able to Anstett Jewellers ;139essinp at(Dristmas \ We sincerely wish you every blessing that the season holds. May you and those dear to you rejoice in contentment and love. GERALD'S SU PERTEST Corner Main and Goderich Sts., Seaforth, 527-1010 "Peace on Earth, Good Will to All" is our hope at Christmas. May you have a joyous celebration. ROWCLIFFE MOTORS jtay joy fill your heart and enrich your life this Christmas Season. We extend our warm thanks to you. MAPLE LEAF DAIRY vir • . ; Community Greets Christmas ith Worship By ANNA MANG "Deck the halls with boughs of holly; 'Us the season to be jolly." Christmas is for joy and laughter; Christmas glows with merriment. Throughout this community, families are putting the finishing touches on plans for holiday get-to- gethers. Hideaways bulge with mysterious packages; kitchens are fragrant with the scents of special treats; homes are bright with gala decorations. Schools and clubs prepare their annual Christmas programs. Holiday party plans go forward. It is, indeed, the season to be jolly. "Silent Night, Holy Night, all is calm, all is bright." Christ- mas is for prayer and peace; Christmas gleams with the light of the Star that shone so brightly, nearly two thousand years ago. And throughout this community, the deep spiritual sig- nificance of the holy season spreads comfort and cheer, In churches, the hours of worship reflect the coming joy as, dur- ing the weeks before Christmas, the story of Christ's coming is the subject of study, sermon, song and prayer, all building toward the special services of Christmas weekend. Uniting in Joy and Prayer Christmas is a joyful season; Christmas is a prayerful sea- son. Since the earliest celebrations of this Christian holiday, it has ever been so, The twin spirits of Christmas — festive celebration and reverent worship are woven together in all the lore of the season, History, says that when the time now celebrated as Christmas was', designated, in the fifth century A.D., early Christian leaders felt that the traditional winter merry- making of pagan festivals such as the Roman Saturnalia might be hallowed by association with the Nativity. Thus, pagan peoples' who had once looked to mythical sun gods as the source orthe rebirth of life began to turn to re- ligious observances of the Saviour's birth, Christmas lights symbolized faith, hope and life eternal. Today, the glow of the tiniest candle — or the twinkling of the smallest electric bulb — still reflects, however humbly, the Light that Christ brought to the world, 'ff•