The Citizen, 2003-12-24, Page 45PAGE B16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2003.
Nativity scene
Explore beauty of holidays
Each class from Blyth Public School let their acting talent
shine for the annual Christmas concert. The concert didn’t
have a specific theme, but each class did. Brittany Walden,
Ally Henry and Brenden Hallahan played angels and a wise
man for The Nativity scene. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
Settling some facts about Santa
To millions of children all over
the world who celebrate Christmas,
no other symbol of the holiday fills
them with such joy as Santa Claus.
This legendary figure supposedly
flies around the world in his sleigh
filled with toys. He drops down the
chimney delivering gifts to good
girls and boys, and is a favourite of
children, no matter what country
they live in.
Santa Ckius, a jolly, stout man
with a twinkle in his eye, rosy-red
cheeks and a cheerful laugh, is the
American adaptation of the
European legend of Saint Nicholas.
He wears a bright red suit trimmed
with white fur, a long red cap and
shiny black boots.
In England, he wears the very
same outfit, but there he’s called
Father Christmas. In France,
children refer to him as Pere Noel,
To Our Friends & Neighbours
At The Holidays
This greeting is filled with a healthy measure
of best wishes and gratitude.
We hope your holiday is just what the doctor ordered.
which means Father Christmas. He
wears a long red robe and white fur
hat with wooden shoes. In
Switzerland we see another
variation on Santa. His name is
Saint Nicholas, and he wears a long
white robe and a tall pointed hat
called a miter.
There . are numerous other
counterparts of Santa Claus across
the globe, including the German
Kris Kiingle, the Italian Befana, the
Swedish Jultomten and Russia’s
Babouschka.
Though he may look a bit
different and be called many names,
to children of all countries his
message is the same. They peek out
the windows and hope to catch a
glimpse of this special man as he
flies through the sky, delivering
gifts for boys and girls to enjoy on
Christmas Day.
It’s beginning to look a lot like
Christmas ... and Chanukah and
Kwanzaa for that matter.
Snow has covered the ground, the
trees are bare and animals scurry for
a hard-to-find treat. Amidst the calm
serenity of this beautiful landscape
lies the hustle and bustle of holiday
decorating, shopping and cooking.
Now’s the time to turn on your
favourite holiday tunes, once again
go over your guest list and look
forward to the excitement that is in
store.
The holidays are a time for giving
thanks for all that you receive and
experience during the year. The
sentiment becomes even more
poignant against the backdrop of the
country’s latest trials and
tribulations.
However, if everyone puts aside
their skepticism, prejudices and
quips, this season can be one of the
DID YOU KNOW...?
In the 1940s, Dahl and Gaske
Development Company bought
the Bon Davis homestead,
subdivided it and named it North
Pole.
The name was selected to attract
the toy industry to manufacture
articles made in “North Pole.”
This endeavor failed to blossom,
but North Pole, located in Alaska,
has continued to grow, and interest
continued to develop North Pole
as a theme city, “where the spirit
of Christmas lives year round.”
Many streets bear holiday
names: Santa Claus Lane,
Snowman Lane, Kris Kringle,
Mistletoe, Holiday Rd., Saint
Nicholas Drive, North Star Drive,
Blitzen and Donner.
The Santa Claus house, the
“official” home of Santa Claus,
greets all visitors who pass
through the city.
Township of
|g/ North Huron
Council & Staff f
most memorable ever.
Here are some easy ways to
embrace the season of giving and
joy:
• Assist an elderly neighbor who
has trouble heading outdoors in
inclement weather. Pick up his or
her groceries, shovel the sidewalk
and treat him or her to a special card
expressing your holiday sentiments.
• Volunteer your time at a local
orphanage or homeless shelter.
Those without a true home can
benefit from your generosity.
• Set up a neighbourhood caroling
group. This tradition has slowly
fallen out of fashion. Revive it again
and spread the season’s joy to all
you pass.
• Save your holiday meal leftovers
It's Christmas
On The Town
The town is bright with Christmas lights
And sounds of celebration.
The.windows are a wonder,
With their cheerful decoration,
Peoples' hearts are happy,
And joy is in the air.
Its Christmas on the town tonight;
It’s Christmas everywhere!
Our heartfelt thanks to all our friends,
Whether far or near.
We wish you Merry Christmas,
And a wonderful new year!
l«0OE
SFW
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and donate them to a soup kitchen or
shelter.
• Donate extra funds to your house
of worship so that holiday
decorations, fundraisers, events and
more will be even more spectacular.
• Do something as simple as
giving up your seat on the bus or
train to someone as a gesture of
good tidings.
• Take a day off from work and
allow your children to play “hookie”
to do a fun family activity out of the
blue, like sledding, skiing or just
enjoying a mug of hot chocolate
while watching the snow fall.
These are just a few thoughtful
ideas, and surely you can think of
some more. Just remember to make
this season as magical as you can.
2—\ 1992
APOTHECARY
430 Queen St., Blyth 523-4210