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The Citizen, 1989-12-22, Page 37THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1989. PAGE 37. Handel’s music adds to joy of holiday season The music of Christmas is part of the season’s charm, and of all the musical works associated with Christmas, perhaps none is as beloved as George Frederic Han­ del’s masterpiece, Messiah, As a young man, Handel was appointed conductor to the Elector of Hanover, in his native country. During the autumn of 1710, he visited London, where he met with great success. A year later, Handel returned to London and after being presented with a pension by the reigning Queen Anne, he decided not to return to his homeland. However, Anne died and in a unique turn of events, Handel’s old master, the Elector of Hanover, now George I, ascended the throne of England. Fortunately, the new king was a true music lover, and he restored Advent time of anticipation In the Christian liturgy, Advent is the four-week period leading up to Christmas. It is a time prepara­ tion and of waiting; as such, it can provide an opportunity for families to anticipate the coming of Christ­ mas with special observances. An Advent wreath is a beautiful reminder of the joy that is to come. It takes it origins from pagan times, when the sun-worshipping tribes of northern Europe would wind greens around a cartwheel and decorate it with lights to appease the sun god during dark winter days. Today, Christians look upon the Advent wreath as a symbol of the light which is to come at Christmas time. The wreath’s circular shape symbolizes God’s unchanging na­ Handel to favor. Handel soon occupied a key position in the artistic life of England, writing, producing and directing operas. Eventually he turned from opera to the oratorio form, reaching the mass audience of his day. His oratorios were choral dramas of great vitality and grandeur, ideally suited to the middle class of England. Messiah is the crowning work ot Handel. Written in just 24 days, it was performed for the first time in 1742. It expressed the faith of the man who was Handel, the man who exlaimed to his servant, upon completing the oratorio, “I did think I did see all heaven before me, and the great God Himself!” The libertto is a compilation of verses from the Bible. Although the libertto is generally attributed ture. The four candles remind us of the hundreds of years mankind waited for the coming of Christ. During the first and second weeks of Advent, violet candles are lit, symbolizing longing and expec­ tation. A rose candle, symbolizing joy and hope because Christmas is near, is lit during the third week of Advent. A violet candle is lit during the final week of Advent to complete the cycle of anticipation. On Christmas Eve, tour white candles replace the rose and violet candles, as a sign of the coming of the light of the world, Jesus. Another Advent custom that dar. This calendar features tiny little windows for each day of the Advent season. As the youngster opens each window, he or she finds to Charles jennens, a wealthy patron of the arts, there is reason to believe that Jennens’ chaplain was more than partially responsible for it. In the first part of the oratorio, the prophecies of the coming of Christ and His birth are treated; this is the portion most frequently performed at Christmas time. The verses are drawn from the prophets of the Old Testament, the Psalms, the Evangelists and the letters of St. Paul. The second part of the oratorio concludes with the famed Hallelu­ jah Chorus. So moved was King George upon hearing this chorus, tradition says, he spontaneously rose to his feet. Today, audiences still stand during the Hallelujah Chorus in tribute to this great work. a special message or picture inside. Not only does the calendar help youngsters to ‘‘count down” to the big day, it can also be instructive and entertaining. Yet another Advent custom is the Jesse tree, so named for the father of King David, an ancestor of Jesus. It is the family tree of Jesus in a way, for it is adorned with symbols of His ancestors and prophecies foretelling His coming. Among the symbols that can be used are tablets of the law, the key of David, Noah’s ark, the apple and the Star of David. These symbols can be either attached to a real tree or to a tree made of construction paper. The Jesse tree is another way of enhancing the Advent season for the whole family. ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA December31/89 Christmas 1 [The Namingof Jesus] HOLY COMMUNION REV. DAVID FULLER, B.A., M. DIV. 11:00p.m. 9:00p.m. Trinity, Blyth St. John’s, Brussels Moore’s description of Santa based on Dutch neighbour Continued from page 31 described Santa as “a jolly old elf” with twinkling eyes and merry dimples. Interestingly enough, Moore is said to have based his description of Santa on a Dutchman who lived nearby. The man was short and chubby and smoked a pipe. Moore was certainly famil­ iar with the writings of Washington Irving, who had described St. Nicholas, the patron saint of the Dutch colony, and the saint’s’ annual ride over the tree tops in a wagon filled with gifts. Clement’s poem was published a year later and had immediate success with the public. It remain­ ed only for the famed cartoonist Thomas Nast to illustrate Moore’s conception of Santa Claus to firmly plant that image in the public’s mind. Nast’s illustrations were closer to the gnome-like figures of the past than contemporary ver­ sions of Santa Claus, however. As time went on, other artists changed the furry suit and furry round hat to a red suif and a cap with a tassel. Today, the image of a jolly and chubby Santa Claus is one that is universally accepted as a symbol of good cheer and generosity to children all over the world. Christmas a time of love Jane's Special Christmas by Becky Earl Grade 8, Grey. Jane was a lively ten year old, who liked dolls, fancy clothes and playing with her friends. Jane’s family was small, but full of love. They, too, wanted expensive appli­ ances and toys for the kids. But one thing stood in their way. Their family was poor and could not afford the things the wealthier families had. Even though their family was poor, Jane never let the bad side of things get her down. When it came around to special occasions, her family saved a small amount of money and did some­ thing together. Sometimes they went to a movie, sent out for pizza, or bought something the whole family needed. Jane’s mother and father both worked long and hard at the factory near their small apartment. So Jane and her broth­ er, Tim, never saw them a lot. The childien both went to school and sometimes did odd jobs for the neighbours. On her way home from school, Jane would often stop by the toy store. There were many toys to see, but only one interested Jane. She admired a doll. Not just any doll, but one with small, delicate fingers and toes, big blue eyes, and a pink dress with frills and lace. On her head was a pink bonnet also adorned with lace and frills. Jane would stare at the doll for what seemed an eternity. But she always hurried home to do her chores before her parents got home. Christmas was a week away but Jane ki.ew she could never ask her parents for the doll she so greatly desired. The next day Jane wrote a letter to Santa Claus, in hope that he would answer her prayers for the doll. She promised to behave and do good deeds. Jane sealed the letter hoping Santa would get it soon enough. She had just the right amount of change to send her letter. Jane never told her parents and never intended to. Days went by. Finally it was the night that every little boy and girl dreamed of, of course, I am talking about Christmas Eve. The night that all children wait to see that jolly, round man who leaves pre­ sents under their tree. Never in her wildest dreams would she see herself caressing the doll’s long, curly hair, dancing with her doll or changing the clothes time after time again and getting tired of it. Jane went to bed that night expecting to see a book or some cookies under their small tree. But to her great surprise she saw the fragile doll sitting under the tree. Jane raced over and immediately picked up the doll. Jane never wanted to let her go in case it was just all a dream. But Jane pinched herself to make sure it was reality and it was definitely not a dream. That Christmas was sure the best she ever had in her life. That night Jane prayed and thanked God for the doll she had wanted so much. She also thanked Him for her family’s happiness that day. So Jane found out that Christmas is not a time to give and receive, and presents, bur an exchange of love for one another. jyt/v Melville fttWih Presbyterian Church BRUSSELS Rev. Carolyn McAvoy 11:00 - Morning Service Sunday School 9:30 a.m. - Belgrave Service CDlSDCZD We welcome you to come and worship with us! HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY CHURCH AUBURN PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE 526-7515 10 a.m. Family Bible School 11 a.m. Morning Worship 8 p.m. - Evening Service Wed., 8 p.m. - Prayer and Bible Study Fri. 7:30 p.m. - Youth Sat. 10:30 a.m. - Kids Klub A BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH Rev. W. H. Lammers Sunday at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sunday School 11:00a.m. The Church of the “Back to God Hour”and “Faith 20” Back to God Hour 10:30a.m. CKNX, Sunday Faith20 5:00a.m. weekdays, Global T.V. ALL VISITORS WELCOME HURON SUPERIOR MEMORIALS “Established over 60 years” Serving Blyth, Brussels and all of Huron County Neil Elliott 153 High Street, Clinton Bus. 482-9441 Res. 482-1748 “Evening appointments available”