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19 The fl-inadian Sttesman. Bowmanville, December 20, 1978 Section Three HOLIDAY CUSTiOMS 'ROUND THE WORLD The joy that pervades the Christmas season tbrough- out the world is evident in beautiful ethnic cust OMS. Sweden's Christmas season begins De¶pember l3th, the feast of St. Lucy. A young girl dresses as the beloved patron, wvith a crown of candies upon ber head. A festive breakfast of cake and coffee-,isl served and signais the start of the holiday season. The French and :French Canadians largely continue the practice of 'attending Midnight Mass. The service is foiowed by an elaborate supper with family at home. Christmas Eve's firýst star indicates the time to begin the customary holiday meal, or Wilia. Tbe elaborate din- ner, breaking a pre-Cbrist- mas fast, is served in the midst of a straw-filled room. An empty place is kept at this manger-like settiýng, for the Christ Cbiid. Italians recreate the nativity scene in homes and churches with a !"Pre- asepio." The coiorftil tab- leaux depicting the manger scene, is set in a pl1ace of bonor during the holidays. Norwegians creatella spe- cial "Christmas Tree," gieaned from a 'sbaft of grain and bound to the top of a pole. This gleaning tra- dition remembers bird1s in a special way. Cattie are aiso remembered at this time witb speciai fodder. The meaning and j*oy of Christmas rivstoday througb these reaurd cus- toms. These rituals serve as a constant reminder that there is no other cele1bration as wonderful as Christmas! The Legyends 0f Christmas Christmas brings tg ail a sense of wonder and admira- tion. These feelings are kept alive tbrougb the beautiful legends expiaining ýmany holiday traditions. The story of the poinsettia takes place in'Mexico in a littie town where the cilstom was to offer Christmnas Eve gifts to the Christ Child. A poor young boy, too sby to go to churcb without agift, knelt outside the cblurcb window and beganto pray. Wben be rose to bis feet, he noticed- a beautiful red flower growing in the spot wbere be had kneit. 1 Sud- denly, be reaiized the 1 ovely blossomù was a gift1 from heaven to answer bis ipray- ers! Quickly, be took the flower in side the cburch and laid it before the altar. To this day, the poinsettia is known in Mexico as the -Flower o f the Hoiy Night.- - -, f - VVe too exuit in the divine miracle of the Holy Birth and hope the gifts of its eternal message of Love, Faith and Hope are yours 110W and forever. inspiration we extend sincere gratitude to our friends. and thé entire staff of Another Ch ri stmas legend explains the rcjbin's red breast. It is said that the- robin pulled a tborn Ifromn Cbrist's crown in an attempt to relieve sorte of the pain of the crucifixion. In doing so, a drop of blood feu on the robin's cbest, and remained there forever. fMOTORS LTD. Authorizod Chevrolet-Oldsmobile Doaler Courtice