The Brussels Post, 1973-12-26, Page 13-Wishing Our Customers 'ComPlimeuts of
Season.
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS
ailii
HAPPY & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.
BRUSSELS 5c -- $1.00 STORE
Y. o
IT'S MERRY CIIRISTM'ASTIME.
Yuletide customs spread around globe
Mistletoe, Santa Claus, letters to Santa, Christmas customs
galore — where did they all begin?
The customs of Christmas, come from many lands and
many eras. They evolve from pagan ceremonies into. Chris-
tian rituals. And they stretch from. West to East, from North
to South, as each country contributes something special and
traditional to the celebrations of the holiday.
When seasonal gaiety rings out in Canada, the merriment
is echoed in Mexico. When North or South Americans, gather
for Christmas festivities, the people of Sweden are doing the
same — and so are the peoples of Holland and France and
Italy and Spain and countless other European countries.
In the far East, Christian communities spread the customs
of 'Christmas, which mingle with the year-end ceremonies-
observed by those of other faiths.
That the legend and lore of Christmas knows no boundari6
is illustrated in the following round-up of Yuletide customs,'
based on information provided by the editors of the Encyclo-
pedia International.
In Holland
For St. Nicholas season, it's
traditional in Holland to
make flat cakes called Klass,
jes. Once exclusively made in
the form of the bishop, St.
Nicholas, IClassjes now take
any form of bird, beast or
fish.
In Brazil
Brazilian lore and legend
says that Three King's Day
is a time for poetry contests,
Verses accompanied by gui-
tars are featured.
.to wish
f good
Iristmos .
thanks
sity.
Manger
.
Is Theme
Of Ladn Yule
In France
At Salers in central France,
old-time tradition calls for a
king and queen to rule over
Christmas festivities. Rulers
pay for the privilege, since
they are "elected" by bidding
at an auction held on the
church steps.
VI and
tVICE
stuffing and numerous other
ingredients, and then wrap-
ped in plantain leaves to
form• a type of pie.
Though Santa, and gaily
decked trees often appear-
nowadays ,in Central and
South America, Christmas is
traditionally a time for reli-
gious observances.
Mass, at midnight on
Christmas Eve or early
Christmas Day, forms the
heart of the holiday in. Latin
America, and the creche or
manger scene marks the sea-
son throughout churches and
homes, say the editors of the
Encyclopedia Americana.
Bountiful feasts, proces-
sions and other special events
may provide a festive note,
but custom says that gift-
In Austria
Custom of writing letters
to Santa Claus may have be-
gun in Austria, where, long
ago, it was an Advent tradi- •
tion for children to write let-
ters containing lists of what
they'd like to receive on. St.
Nicholas' Day.
In Guatemala
An ancient.custom in Gua-
temala is to ,"light the road
to Bethlehem". by placing
lanterns in windows• and
doorways for nine nights be-
fore Christmas.
We greet Christmas joyfully, with good----
will ,to all . . .and we greet ,you
with our wishes that health, happiness
,and good cheer may be yours.
In Chile
Unique among Christmas
Customs in Chile is a grand
fiesta =that centers around
horse racing.
BRIDGE MOTORS LTD.
Brussels Wingham
In Argentina
It's in Christ-
mas in Argentina, and the
traditional feast is generally
served outdoors. Rosebuds
and jasmine deck the table,
. which has as edible center-
piece a whole roast suckling
pig.
In Colombia
People parade in masquer-
ade on Christmas . Eve in
Colombia. Each masquerader
tries to guess the ,identity of
others. When someone guess-
es correctly, he can claim a
small gift from the person
who was "unmasked."
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In Peru
• Toro! In Lima, Peru, Christ-
mas day is not exclusively a
church holiday, because it
also marks the greatest bull,
fight of the year.
giving time, • is, Three Kings'
Day — Janut-
ary 6th, when the Wise Men
brought their gifts to Jesus.
Childreiv put their shoes
under the bed'or in the win-
dow, hoping to have them
filled with toys and gifts.
Water and hay are set out for
the Three Kings' horses or
camels.
While many Latin Ameri-
can countries Share these
traditions and celebrate
Christmas in similar ways, '
each country also has its own
special festivities.
In Venezuela
Hallaca, a native Venezue-
lan dish, is an awaited deli-
cacy during the Christmas•
season. It is made of corn
meal with porkk -and chicken
In Costa Rica
In the island country of
Costa Rica, "portals" are set
up in homes. These are elab-
orate Nativity Scenes some-
times filling an entire room.
of
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• .-,42,4.4,0# •
• •
All aboard this holiday train. It's tight on track
to btitiga full load. of good wilt and
frieild8hip your way. En joy. it, happy day 1
Serving you is but ticket to pleasure,
Let us open, out hearts to
the inspiring message o/ Christmas .
"tieace ort Earth, Coal to MOIL
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• 'bit **WSW POSti bEdEMPIEtt 26,:1tf"