Zurich Citizens News, 1974-12-23, Page 19MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1974
ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS
PAGE 19
Indians Had a Sacred Spring Festival
Tree Upon Which They Hung Gifts
In early pioneer days in
America, Indian children
were invited in to see the
Christmas tree and were
given extra food. On one
occasion — in fact, prob-
ably on many more than
,just. one — Indians were
found dancing around the
tree, stamping and whoop-
ing in the familiar manner
• of ceremonially excited
braves.
One can imagine the
shock and dismay on the
part of some of our pion-
eer ancestors.
American Indians were
accustomed to the idea of
giving among themselves,
though the habit was
prompted less by ideas of
doing good and sharing
with the less fortunate,
than the more human one
of raising one's prestige.
Christmas tree
first seen here
in 1851
BY DAVE PRATT
CONESTOGA JOURNALISM
STUDENT
The Christmas tree was first
introduced to North America
by a pleveland, Ohio pastor
named Schwan in 1851.
Schwan's idea was con-
sidered to be a pagan practice
by the townspeople. He soon
convinced the people that it
was a custom well known to
other cultures and the idea was
accepted as it is today.
The Christmas tree is now a
widely accepted part of Christ-
mas and can be seen in many a
Christian church in America.
t: tAA1
They had, also, a tree up-
on which they hung gifts.
This was considered a
sacred spring festival tree,
not a Christmas tree. A
tribe in North Dakota
would plant, each year, a
young cedar near the big
medicine lodge. Children
brought gifts of'mocca-
sins, pelts, shawls and so
forth to hang on the
branches of what was
called, with the simplicity
of so-called primitive peo-
ples, Grandmother.
In the fall, Grandmoth-
er was uprooted and set
afloat on the Missouri riv-
er for a long journey into
the Great Beyond. Much
in the way that Alaskans
are reported to have set
adrift their old folks, up-
on the icy water floes.
The Indians of course
recognized that the white
brothers' Christmas was
an important occasion. It
carne to be called by tribes
The Big Eating. By oth-
ers, in districts frequent-
ed by French trappers,
who kissed each other as
they exchanged gifts, it
was known as Kissing
Day.
1PRESCl ENT POET?
The last great Age, foretold by sacred Rimes,
Renews its finish'd course: Saturnian times
Roll round again ; and mighty years, begun
From their first Orb, in radiant Circles run.
The base degenerate iron Offspring ends;
A golden Progeny from Heaven descends.
O chaste Lucina! speed the Mother's pains,
And haste the glorious birth ! thy own Apollo reigns !
The Son shall lead the life of Gods, and be
By Gods and Heroes seen, and Gods and Heroes see.
The ,jarring Nations he in peace shall bind,
And \vith paternal Virtues rule Mankind.
Unbidden Earth shall wreathing Ivy bring
And fragrant herbs (the promises of Spring)
As her first offerings to her infant King.
Lines written by Virgil
several decades before the Birth of Christ.
Eclogue 4, translated by Dryden.
Wakti
Wrap it up with a
smile and our good
wishes. Thanks to all.
PAUL AND SHIRLEY BEDARD
DAIRY STORE
ZURICH 236-4930
1
C3517_ ®IS
On the way to all our customers,
neighbors and friends, good wishes
for a warm, wonderful holiday.
Our "thanks" to everyone.
RobeErt and
Westlake