Zurich Citizens News, 1969-12-23, Page 16PAGE TWO
ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS — CHRISTMAS EDITION
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1969
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The Saga of Santa Claus
In his 1600 years on earth ... Santa Claus has grown a long
white beard, moved from a small village in Asia Minor to a toy
factory at the North Pole, and changed from flowing robes into
a red and white furry suit. He's gotten shorter, rounder, and
much, much merrier.
The original Santa Claus was born in Patras, Asia Minor.
Young Nicholas — instead of being interested in games and play—
devoted himself to the study of the Scriptures. Because of his
remarkable boyhood, he was later accepted as the patron saint of
children.
Being of very rich parents, Nicholas was able to share his
wealth with others. He found particular joy in providing gifts for
children, or the dowry necessary to start a needy young woman
on the road to a happy marriage. His travels brought him to the
large City of Myra, where he was consecrated Archbiship.
St. Nicholas died on December 6, about 341 A.D.... but not
before he had saved a ship from a theatening storm with his prayer,
found a way to feed all the people of Myra during a famine, and
deposited three bags of gold upon the doorstep of a poor merchant.
Today, there is hardly a sea -coast city in any predominantly
Catholic country that does not have a chapel dedicated to him.
He is the patron saint of bankers, pawnbrokers, maidens, children
mariners, scholars .. , and even thieves!
Europe has always celebrated St. Nicholas Day on December 6,
and this is the traditional day of gift -giving. But, in the New
World, St. Nicholas gave up his own day and became a well -loved
part of the Christmas celebration.
Dutch settlers brought Santa Nikalaus to New Amsterdam
(now New York). At first he appeared to look like Father Knick-
erbocker. History researchers tell us that Thomas Nast, famous
_cartoonist, periodically dressed his Santas in suits of red, white
and blue for patriotism's sake.
Washington Irving described the merry gift -giver as a tubby
little fellow with a jolly manner who sped through the air on a
reindeer sleigh.
From this interpretation came the basis for Clement Clark
Moore's beloved "A Visit from St. Nicholas." Dr. Moore, professor
at a New York theological seminary, composed the poem for his
children, who first heard it on Christmas Eve, 1822.
"He was dressed all in furs from his head to his foot,
and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot .. .
he was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, and 1
laughted when I saw him in spite of myself."
This was how Dr. Moore saw Santa Claus, and, thanks to his
vivid characterization, this is how children all over North America
have pictured him ever since.
The laughing man with the big heart adds to the joy of Christ-
mas for children everywhere ... but what happens to the child
who huddles on the stairway watching for Santa till his eyelids
drop. Or the child who doesn't see footprints in the snow on
Christmas morning? Or the child who has been told, there is no
Santa Claus?
For him, Christmas becomes a sad time. A little girl named
Virginia once wrote to a newspaper editor, asking him to help solve
the puzzling uroblem of Santa's existence. Virginia received an
answer that has become a classic in journalism.
The Saga of Santa has acquired many satellites through the
years. Some people believe that, in addition to his gifts, the an-
cient Bishop carries a bundle of birch rods in order to punish the
naughty children as well as reward the virtuous.
The youngsters of Holland are taught that Santa travels with
a sinster demon who does Old Saint Nick's "ditry work."
The French remember his as Pere Noel, the Germans as Saint
Nicolas who fills shoes with goodies, and the Norwegians as Kriss
Kringle. To children . . . he is excitement, generosity, surprise
and fun, all wrapped up in one jolly package. The Saga of Santa
is on+ithey never will tire of hearing.
THE SOUND OF BELLS
THE WEATHER has been very kind to us in helping every-
one to get in the "Christmas Spirit"
Also, wherever you go these last few days before the big
day, there is the sound of bells around about us. Soemtimes it is
in music coming from a radio; sometimes from the loudspeaker
in front of a store; sometimes from a TV set; sometimes from
the glorious music of the church; sometimes through an open
window of a home where a piano is playing.
Everywhere is the joyous sound of great happiness at the
coming of Christ.
In the present day when automation and machines of all
kinds have placed a great emphasis upon the value of things, it
appears at first thought that the possession of objects is the
main wish of people at Christmas time.
But we know different. There is the music of the bells, and
they tell us that as the times change, and the possession of
expensive items is becoming commonplace among even the least
of us, that it is the true spirit of Christmas which speaks when
families set out to give gifts to each other, and to their friends.
We are not more worldly than our ancestors were. They
gave what they had and could obtain to give. We are able to
give more because more is available.
But the spirit is the same—and we think will continue to be.
Children Show Generosity,
Treat Santa to Surprises
As a certain white -bearded,
jolly old gentleman makes
his rounds on Christmas Eve,
delivering happy surprises
to children the world over,
he may look forward to be-
ing, in turn, surprised.
In the legend and lore of
Christmas, giving to Santa
is a time-honored tradition,
with the gifts usually taking
the form of food or beverage.
Today, many families en-
courage children to be gen-
erous, by observing the cus-
tom of setting out treats for
Santa — perhaps some can-
dy, a dish of cookies, a glass
of milk.
Through the ages, the gift -
giver now known as Santa
Claus has been called by
many different names, but
Santa's predecessors, like
Santa himself, were often
greeted with special treats.
Filling Pockets
In Italy, Befana is the gift -
giver who preceded Santa.
She took her name from the
name for Twelfth Night —
Epiphania, or Epiphany —
and brought her gifts on
Epiphany Eve, January 5th.
To make ready for Befana,
tradition says, Italian chil-
dren empty their pockets and
hang up their clothes. Then
into each pocket goes a sur-
prise — something good to
eat.
After taking out the treats,
Befana refills each pocket
with gifts for the children.
Guarding the Home
Sweden has an unusual
gift -giver — it's a goat! Ac-
cording to tradition, the Yul-
bock or Yule goat comes to
the door of Swedish homes
on Christmas Eve and tosses
the family's gifts through
the doorway.
Another legendary guest
at Swedish holiday celebra-
tions is Tomte, a kind-heart-
ed elf who guards the home.
A dish of food is placed in a
quiet corner, so that Tomte
may feast as he secretly ob-
serves the family fun.
Enjoying Pudding
In Denmark and Norway
the legendary good spirit of
the house is Nisse, who
watches over home and farm
and is sometimes said to be
the gift -bringer, too.
His Christmas treat, the
rice pudding traditional at
Scandinavian holiday feasts,
is placed beside the kitchen
door or, on farms, in the hay-
loft.
Treating the Donkey
Today's Santa relies on his
reindeer for transport, but
the gift bringers of yester-
year had other animal help-
ers, who usually shared in
the holiday giving and re-
ceiving.
In Holland, for instance,
legend says that St. Nicholas
arrives early — on St. Nicho-
las Eve, December 5th — rid-
ing a white donkey.
For the refreshment of the
good saint's donkey, children
stuff their shoes with hay and
set out a dish of water. Car-
rots and a potato are some-
times added.
Feeding the Horses
Twelfth Night is, in Span-
ish tradition, the time for
giving gifts, and the tradi-
tional gift bearers are the
Wise Men, who as they jour-
ney each year to Bethlehem
bring gifts for good children.
To feed the Wise Men's
horses on their long pilgrim-
age, Spanish children fill
their shoes with straw and
set thein on balconies or win-
dow ledges.
0
Wrapping Gilts
When German tradition
is followed, unwrapping a
Christmas gift can be an
amusing but complicated
process.
One gift may have many
consecutive wrappings, each
with a different name on it,
and the final wrapping may
reveal not a gift, but, a card
telling where the gift is hid-
den.
Other cards in other hiding
places lead to a treasure
hunt, ending in the discov-
ery of the gift.
* a:*
Picturing Nativity
The Christmas crib or pre-
sepio is an especially treas-
ured part of the Portuguese
holiday celebration. Every
home and church seems to
have one, and some of those
in the churches are master-
pieces of art.
Especially famous is the
presepio in Estrella Church,
Lisbon. This Nativity scene
depicts the people of Beth-
lehem, in terra cotta figures.
Unique among the crowd are
the figures of an elephant
and a bagpiper.
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LAt this crisp and exciting time of year, we are hopeful
that your holiday will be filled with joyous warmth, richly
shared with those you hold dear.
FUNERAL and AMBULANCE SERVICE
ZURICH