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ig 7 'Artistic Views Reflec xX In Bethlehem, it's the rainy season. In Hawaii, Santa Claus might arrive by boat, and Christmas could be celebrated on a sunny beach. In Australia, Christmas is a time for pic- nicking -- it's summer "down under." Even in Northern lands, De- cember 25th does not always provide the pleasures of a "white Christmas." In spite of the varying climes where Christmas is observed, and in spite of the frequent shortage of ice and snow at the appropriate time, the tradi- tional image of Christmas is, and probably always will be, a wintry, snowy landscape -- celebrated in song and story, pictured in countless paint- ings. . The countryside under a blanket of snow, the hillside drifted deep in white, the trees | bent down with snow or crys- tal-bright with ice, the lakes, rivers and streams gleaming in ice-covered magnificence -- these are favorite themes in holiday lore, and favorite dreams for all those who spend Christmas cozily among the conveniences of modern cen- trally-heated buildings and modern transportation. The "winter wonderland" of ice and snow.has been a fre- quent source of jnspiration for artists. There's a wealth of winter landscape paintings that, although not directly as- sociated with Christmas, seem to set the mood and reflect the spirit of the season. In 16th and 17th- century Holland, for instance, a whole tradition of landscape paint- ing was devoted solely to de- picting winter scenes -- some- what unusual since the winter weather of Holland is not es- 'pecially cold. For admirers of art and white Chliristmases alike, one of the definitive painters of winter scenes is Hendrik Av- ercamp. - Perhaps because he devoted his artistic talents exclusively to the winter landscape, Aver- camp's paintings capture to perfection both the beauties and pleasures of winter. Bare branches of trees etch their patterns against expanses of ice, in contrast with the cozy cottages and, on the ice, the merry skaters, for an ideal blending of the cold weather and warm spirit of a winter holidghy. ' Of Avercamp"s personal his- tory, little is known. Records show that he was baptized in Amsterdam in January 1585, and buried at Kampen in 1634. His painting was. influenced by the Flemish landscape tra- dition and particularly by Pie- ter Bruegel the Elder -- a painter whose fascination with the winter scene did much to shape his landscape style. The snow-covered hillsides seen in the work of the elder Pieter Bruegel contrast strangely with the flat, icy ter- rain of his native Holland. The explanation is to be found in travels which took him .to mountainous lands. Bruegel became a master in the Antwerp painters' guild in 1551, and shortly afterward journeyed to France and Italy, says the Grolier Book of Art. In 1554 he returned from Rome to the Netherlands, re- crossing the Alps on his way. The mountains and scenery of Italy made an immense im- pression on him, as reflected in the drawings he made at the time. More than the "contempor- ary" Italian art, those moun- tainous vistas influenced his landscape style -- and ulti- mately inspired Avercamp and other Flemish painters of the »ever-wonderful winter scene. Lighting Candles s Martin Luther, the Refor- | mation leader, is credited by some legend collectors with decorating the first lighted Christmas tree. He lit ¢andles and placed them on the'boughs of dan evergreen that would be frowned on to- day, when fire safety is the Thule in Christmas decorating By lighting the candles and [} decking the tree, he hoped to show his family some small re flection of the glory and in spiration of the heavens qn the first Holy Night. % HE : 3 $5 Hlustration from the Bettman Archive BECAUSE CHRISTMAS IS TRADITIONALLY A WINTER WONDERLAND, paintings such as "Winter Scene" by the Flemish artist Hendrik Avercamp seem to capture the mood and reflect the spirit of the holiday season. Avercamp devoted his talents to depicting the winter landscapes of Holland. This painting, which is in the Rijks Museum, Amsterdam, appears in the Grolier Book of Art, a 10-volume encyclopedia. Have a wonderful season full of joy. Thank you for your loyal patronage. Elizabeth Shoppe Christmas... Christ Child born in Bethlehem so many years ago bring His message of Peace and Good Will into every heart on this joyful Christmas Day. FLEANORS FLOWERS a custom loty Jer the Divine Light that shone brightly upon the shepherds on the day of our Saviour's birth bring jov to vou and your family this season. ESCUGOG-LUMBER =z | =< DC -- I >> | = | --] J | Winter Wonderland ' CHRISTMAS Lore and Legend Express Happy Mood of Season From home to home, from country to country, Yule cele- brations abound. The happy traditions of gift giving, home decorating, carol singing, card sending, candle lighting and tree trimming express the merriment of the season. Popular folk custms of na- tion after nation have been absorbed into the internation- al legend and lore of the Yule- tide. Yet virtually every nation -- and every home and family, too -- has its special way of celebrating Christmas, and its special memories of Christ- mas past. Carrying in Straw Straw is a traditional part of Christmas celebrations in Sweden -- in probable remem- brance of the first Christmas when there was straw in the manger. While "carrying in the Christmas straw" is a tradi- tion rather than a modern cus- tom, Swedish people still make 'straw and wooden figures to hang on their Christmas trees. "San Tan Lou Yin" In Hong Kong, Santa Claus goes by the name of "San Tan You Lin." The Hong Kong department stores employ elderly men who are specially costumed for the season. Just like Santa Claus, San Tan You Lin is present for the purpose of holding the youngsters on his knee and listening to their requests for gifts. Log Had Charms In ancient Germany, the Yule log was known as the "Christbrand." One belief held that if the charred log was placed in a cornbin, it would act as a charm to ward off mice. If the weather turned stormy, the Christbrand was quickly brought back to the fire. While it burned, supersti- tion said, the house was safe from lightning. : Going "Mumming" "Mumming" is a Yule cus- tom that originated in early England. Mummers, masked and in costume, silently en- acted ritual plays about the death of winter and the old year. The custom still survives in some parts of the world, al- though the plays are no longer performed. Today mummers usually entertain with dancing and instrumental music. They are rewarded with treats. OO: ver) Roliday wishes to you and your family this gay and N 1 \ season! May the spirit of Christmas shine through the hours lighting up your days! pes! festive PORT PERRY STAR - We're singing carols to you with hearts full of optimum wishes for Christmastide! BRIAN'S SUPERTEST 30 Christmas Lltssings May you enjoy peace of mind. May your soul be gladdened by the Spirit of Christmas. KEN P. MURRAY. ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR REESOR | | FUEL and LUMBER | x CALC bl on earth ¥ * * *t C full micasire of joy is ir Noel wi for Yr id §