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DAi-GE 10. WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 19, 1979, WHITBY FREE PRESS CHRISTMAS SUPPI Chribna Cusomeo! ai'A a, ogA'go Every nation has its share of deiightfui Christ- mas custoins, and'although today fnany of those tradli- tions are no longer strictly observed, some of these quaint customs are stili re.membered. In Ozechoslovakia, for instance, the Christmas season signaled the time to end quarrels, so that the new year could begin in a spirit of, love and friend- ship. Thus, there was a great deal of ývisiting back and f orth -as everyone sought to patch up any mis- understandings. Caroling was also a popular custom in Czechoslovakia and as the carolers went about' singing, they carried> minia- ture Nativity scenes w'ith them'. In France, the holiday season was the occasion, for a comie scene. A'huge wicker figure known' a's Melchior, carrying a basket and wearing colorful attire, would be strapped tOa dâonkey andtaken door to door, collecting food. Al the poor of the parish would then be invited to come to the local church, a I LEMENT where these food donationà would be.given to them. Wreaths and chains made of *brilliant tropical flowers offer a great con- trast. at Christmnastime ir the Philippines. There chu.- dren parade and sing after mass, led by a band. In- ftead of a Christmas tree' there are flags, palms, and flowers in the home and a candie is .kept burning in the window al night long. In Sicily, a procession fol- iows Christmas Eve ser- vices. With a waxen image' of the Christ, Child at the head of'the procession, the celebrants wind their way through, the town, while church belîs ring and rock- ets flare. A beautiful Poiish eus- tom would be observed when the first star of the evening. appeared on Christm'as Eve. Straw >wouid be. placed urider the supper table, aiong with dishes and a tablecloth. One chair would be left vacant for the Christ Child, as the head of the family broke andî shared a "peace wafer", a.. symbol of peace on earth. Another iovely customn Icomes from Ireland. There, Ion Christmnas evening, can- Idles are lighted and placed, inec ido n orsH tErC,% cide Ct~LMA& are left ajar. This is to symn- bolize the offering of hospi- talitY to Joseph and Mary and the Hoiy Babe. The candies are. left aglow al night long and are finaily' snuffed out by those an- swering to the name of M'ary. wait for the arrivai of "Sa- michlaus" on December 5th.ý Wearing a joliy mask, he. boasts a white' flowing beard, a fur-trimmed robe and cardes a gray sack and staff.- Yuletiile Tree uns Origitis ini Priwiat'i ecoelif your tree with apples and round waf.ers., this, year? They may flot be as' color- fui as the glittering bals and ornamnents you normai- ly use, but they're more in keepingwith the early me- thods of- tree-trim ming. The tree is a symbol of immortality, the apples' -stand for'sin, and the round wafers mean redemption. That, at least, is the way Christians after the l5th' century saw it. They took the Paradise Tree (symbol of the fali of 'man in the miracle plays of the Middle Ages), brought it into their homes, and used it asa lesson in moral- ity for their children. Over the years, the reli- gious aspects of the i tree gave way to pure decora- tion. The apples were re- placed by omnaments; the wafers, by stars, moons, men and animais. The tree itself is steeped, in traditions that date back In the cold North, ni- tive -men watched the ap- proach of winter with fear. They saw the sunlight dwindie, -the days -grow short and the fields freeze up. There seemed no hope of another harvest. Evergreens alone attest- ed to the retum of lighit and life. and the revival of the sun god. The primitives brouglht them inside in tubs, to prOtect the spirits of the woods and tO bâiter family courage through the dark winter days. lhank you for ypur patronage this year, and we wish you the happiest of holidays with prospeity in the New Teue' Managment &$ste If hi ~ ~Chevrolet -Olcismobile Li 655-3435 NWy. No. 7 Kinsale <4 mO Las 0f rougm883-4091 How wonderful Io be able to wish al of our friends a happy holiday season. We have enjoyed serving you, and w*e look forward tb seeing you aga in next year. -MANCHESTER COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION i WH ITBY- 400 DUNDAS ST. W. BAILEY IDA PHARMACY Suf eway Centre 668-2100 Whitbv 668'2100 BROOKLIN