The Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-12-22, Page 11PAGE 10B- -GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESIJA.V. DECEMBER 23, 1987
_ Merry'
Christmas
We're tufting up to wish
all our many customers
and friends a Christmas
that's perfect in every way!
Kirkey's Car
Care
80 Victoria Si. S., Coderich
524-6015
SEASON'S
GREETINGS
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With all good thoughts for a
holiday of sheer joy. To all our
customers we say "Thank You"
from
Jim & Janet Seed and Staff
We will be closed December 25,
26 & January 1.
41147.4 art
-ff6itatimate
HOLIDAYS!
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That festive holiday
spirit is in the air! With
hearts filled with
excitement, we say Merry
Christmas and thanks..;
C & E
NEW & USED FURNITURE.
R.R. No. 1 Goderich
(1 mile south on Highway 21)
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We'd like to express
our warm wishes:
Enjoy a peaceful
serene holiday.
Thank you all so
much.
WEST WAWANOSH
MUTUAL
INSURANCE
COMPANY
Dungannon 529-7921
Share the Love
Happily we remember the
anticipation and joy, warmth
and wonder all wrapped up in a
sea:on of magic ... Christmas !
Thanks for your friendship and good will.
t
o2 AC 12'• o • • o2.41 e o 6 6
In Search of Saaa Claus
BY S. R. LITI'LEWOOD
MAGUS
f we would really search for Santa
Claus, we must go far across the
Syrian desert. We must go to where
the Euphrates and the Tigris,
springing from Paradise itself, water the
fertile plains of Babylon. Here we shall
see strange caravan starting forth upon
the northern road. By the splendid trapp-
ings of camels and of mules, by the
gorgeous robes, the air of dignity and
power in the chief folk of this cavalcade,
one gathers that it is no mere company
of merchants. They are none other than
the Wise Men, those Magi who came to
Herod at Jerusalem.
We know that these followed of
Zoroaster worshipped not fire in itself, as
so many used to think, but, like the Jews,
an unseen and one true God. In the long
years of the Captivity, the Magi must
have made many friends among the kin-
dred people that were `in bondage "by the
waters of Babylon." Above all, in the
roll of thier order what greater name was
there than that of Daniel himself, set at
their head in Babylon's greatest day?
This Daniel had foretold, probably in
their own Babylon books no less than in
those of his own race, the very time of
the coming of the "Son of Man." Could
there be any wonder that this priestly'
and princely company should set out to
pay homage to the promised king?
Tradition tells us that there were three
of them: Melchior,•an old man with a
white beard; Gaspar, a fair youth; and
Balatasar, a Negro. Always, of the
three, old Melchoir is the centre and
chief. Here is the first arrival in history
of Santa Claus. Moreover, there can be
no doubt that the first Christian origin of
the bringing of gifts to children at
Christmas is the celebration of the
Magi's journey to Bethlehem.
Myra was a celebrated port of Lycia,
the fairest sea -coast province of Asia
Minor, Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, was
one of the first saints fully to understand
the meaning and beauty of the story of
Bethlehem.
The most famous incident of his early
life was that in which he saved the Three
daughters of a poor merchant of Myra -
from a life of slavery. Nicholas heard of
their plight. Softly by night he stole to
the window of their house and threw in a
purse of gold. The poor merchant, think-
ing it a gift from Heaven, was overjoyed,
and decided that this should be the dowry
of his eldest daughter. The next night St.
Nicholas came again and threw in
another purse of gold. This was appor-
tioned to the second daughter, with all
due thanks to the mysterious source.
Lastly, St. Nicholas came a third time,
and threw in yet another purse, so that
all three daughterswere now saved.
Hardly had St. Nicholas been laid
reverently in his grave after his long life
was over than all the presents of Myra,
and soon of the world in general, began
to make little presents to their children
each 6th of December, the day on which
he had found rest. The idea of leaving
these modest offerings overnight•as St.
Nicholas's own gift soon came into being,
and the celebration of Saint's day spread
by leaps and bounds.
PAGAN
We must go now many a long mile
afield in search of another Santa Claus.
We shall have to turn our faces to the
grim North, to a certain clear, airy sum-
mit beneath which the whole world is
spread as a map. We shall find an old
man, with a long white beard, a broad -
rimmed hat, a many -colored cloak, and
only one eye. Upon his shoulders sit two
ravens, his counsellors; two wolves couch
at his feet; near him stands an eight -
footed steed ready to carry him to the
ends of the earth.
bilin, the world -wanderer, the,; ther of
the old Norse gods, is the god of bat-
tle and wisdom. He sends forth is
vallryries to fetch the fallen V' from
the fight, and bring him, fresh-s*lin, to
feast eternally in the clashing hills of
Valhalla. He gave learning and' tters to
men, and left one of his eyes II pwn in
Mimer's fountain so that he shot*1 be
wise for ever. Yet Odin is a warlierer
still, and amongst the thousand Muses
that he takes upon himself is ilia.. Santa
Claus.
It ispossible that Santa Claus;''as in
ancient Egypt and was represented in the
religion of ancient Mexico. Proljbly the
farther one went in search of hip,
through time and place, the ofteier one
would find him. For all comes tythis —
that wherever men have lived aid
thought and worshipped, the winpr
solstice has brought them face is f ace
with nature's revival at the sun'sreturn,
and with the joyous symbol that t afford
for a life after death for man hinself.
/r 000-0)
NORTH AMERICAN
Santa Claus had known the glories of
Babylon; and had lingered amidst its
ruins. He had sailed the grey seas with
Viking pirates upon their beaked ships.
But in America he grew to be himself.
From each country of Europe, the ear-
ly colonists took to America a different
Santa Claus, and out of them all the San-
ta Claus of today was gathered and
created anew. The Dutch gave him the
name of their own Sinter Klaas. From.
Norway and Sweden came the white
horses — sometimes changed for Lapp
reindeer — and flying sledge that carried
him over the housetops. From Germany
came the Christmas -tree, with its
spangles and gleaming fruit. But it was
the little Southerners, from Spain and
France and Italy, who, forgetting all
about St. Nicholas and his own day three
weeks before, made Santa Claus part of
the Christmas feast itself, and led him by
the Wise Men's star to the cradle -side of
Bethlehem.
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One Solitary life
Here is a young man
who was born
in an obscure village,
the child of a peasant womai.
He grew up in another villag.
He worked in a.carpenter shp
until he was 30, 't
and then for three years
He was an itinerant preache.
He never wrote a book.
He never held an office.
He never owned a home.
He never had a family. f.
He never went to college.;
He never put his foot
inside a big city.
He never travelled 200 mile:
from the place
where he was born.
He never did one of the thir*s
That usually accompany griatness.
He had no credentials but Hmself.
While He was still a young ran
the tide of public opinion hrned
We hope you
enjoy Christmas
in every way.
Thanks, friends.
Ed & Loraine
extern
an extra diecial
greeting 6 our
staff It
North End /farina.
North End Marina 524883
against Him. His friends ran away.
He was turned over to His enemies.
He went through the mockery of a trial.
He was nailed to a cross
between two thieves. While He was dying
His executioners gambled for the only
piece of property He had on earth,
and that was His coat.
When He was dead, He was laid
in a borrowed grave
through the pity of a friend.
Nineteen centuries wide
have come and gone, and today
He is the central figure of the human race
and the leader of they, column of progress.
I am far within the mark when I say
that all the armies that ever marched,
and all the navies that ever sailed,
and all the parliaments that ever sat
and all the kings that ever reigned
put together, have not affected
the life of man upon this earth
as has that one solitary life.
• NOEL • NOEL • NOEL*
• NOEL • NOEL • NOEL*
We extend our special greetings for a safe and joyous
Christmas. Thank you for your loyal patronage
KJ. HUGHES REALT
46 East St., Goderich 524.0100
LTD.
4-7373
Nest
►
Nk,4
Bob and Nancy extend to their
friends and patrons every bright
wish for a Happy Christmas and
properous New Year.
THE STUDIO
Goderich GALLERY 524-2029
1111
1 I1
Mlles
Here's hoping that the warmth
of this joyous Yuletide brings
happiness and prosper ty, good
health and good luck to a I!
May Your Fondest Dreams Come True
HUTCHINSON
APPLIANCE SERVICE
3O$ Huron Rd.
Highway No. g Goderich