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THE HERALD December 1MT The many origins of Christmas legends By CAROL WARD The talc of the birth of Jesus Christ as lold in gospels of Luke I 19 and Malt hew 2 beloved foundation on which Christmas is based The in manger sing of first Christmas The rceord of ihc observation of Christ birth Cam in the year in the Calendar a Roman years later ficially Christmas Julius I it was made a civic holiday Emperor Justinian in The date of December as as birthday because midwinter celebrations of early limes Certainly Christmas lies were influenced by rituals him old Roman and eandlc mistletoe holly these arc signs that Christmas n Many Christmas decoranons Christian belief in everlasting life though some roots in anticnt pagans as well The popuhr Christinas color green for example symbolizes the Christian belief in lift ihrnuh Out also symbolics ihc ability living ihc winter Surviving through the told months of Ihc year was import many ancient people- for ssas a fearful lime Whatever their origin sights and of Christmas decorations ihc power to aura of the holiday as else can This is especially of use as Paan peoples began tin tradition bringing an evergreen tret indoors and decorating In because close association w ilh practices ihe use of evergreens prohibited in many early church cclcbraltnns Eventually however the church made an in vesi these pagan customs with Christian meaning sJgmfiianci them continue No one really nous how ihc first mod cm Chrutnus tree came to be or where or when it originated But many people be lieve evolved from the tree a fir hung with red apples and wafers the which represented Garden of Eden in a medieval miracle play about Adam and Eve The play was usually performed on which was as Adam and birthday during the Middle Ages Miracle plays were suppressed dur ing the century but the Ircc die people simply trees into homes and decorated them there lie oldest record of a Christmas tree decorated and standing indoors 1601 Germany France There Christmas irees were decorated with paper roses of many colors symbols of the Virgin Mary as well as apples painlcd and sugar Before lone the hosts were replaced by or cookies and decorations ol painted eggshells candles added to the tree Christmas trees I become an part of the American Christmas ration until around 1930 Today National Christmas Tree Association males that million natural Christmas trees are sold every year Artificial for about one third of all Christmas trees in homes and Like the evergreen mistletoe and hull were admired by pagan peoples be cause they represented triumph over the forces of winter The ancient Druids be that holly guarded against witches and lightning the winter solstice they cut mistletoe during an elaborate ceremony in for isi including sacrifice- to the lowed festivities Priests divided misllcloe among the people who hung it in their homes us a charm against evil Hew did the custom of under misilctoc come about to an ancient Scandinavian Balder Sun God nude of mis Balder mother was deter mined thai mistletoe should never again be responsioic lor anyone death w she a sign or love rather than of and asked that all who passed beneath it Although we mistletoe with Christmas il docs not have any religious meaning Holly on the oihcr was used by early Christians specifically to make and other for their homes and churches at Christmas Legend holds ihat Jesus crown of thorns was planed from holly It is said ihat before he crucifixion the berries of holly were white but afterward they turned like drops of blood Holly and ivy are linked in a 15th century carol that describes a the for a plate of honor There are many of this carol in some holly assumes the pan of the man and the ivy assumes the pari of woman They carry on a debate about Finally il is decided the holly will win The inset la closely associated with Christmas season was brought to the United Slates from Mexico in the IS by Joel Roberts the ambassador for several There arc numerous variations of legend that at tempt to explain how came lobe One of ihc most widespread rctounts Ibis story On Christmas Eve long ago a poor boy had no gift to bring the Holy Child He is embarrassed enter the church without a and remained outside ihc building Then lie iw a jncn plani his feel In desperado he pitked ihc plant and took inside the lay al the feet of the Christ Child At ihc altar changed bright red flower the To Christians candles arc symbols of Christ Ihc lighl of world The lovely custom of placing a single candle in the window Chn si mast i me was to America by the Irish It is said Ihat in Ire land during the many years of religious oppression Irish Catlwlics placed in their windows so thai fugitive priests would know they were welcome inside to Watching over the baby In the fart Public School dur formed skit of the I litie it manger is Mary and Joseph The h Christmas pageant held nativity scene wan relnaeted by here Dec 111 Student sang and per Teddy bears are always a friendly companion especially Christmas time These Kindergarten students their bears and song Me Harrison Public School Christmas concert Dee IS A primary choir Grade t students and Grade Modem day variations of candle arc the lighls that decorate Chnsi and oulsiilrs of homes other buildings the holiday season St Asmsiis believed have created firs creche in a nans ily scene figures of Mary Joseph and Jesus the Wise Men shepherds and animals According Io some accounts the characters of the creche were simply fainted figures according to others rancis used In animals and people ex cent for Baby Jesus for whom a wax fig urc was subsliluicd Today creche is a popular mas decoration Many construe I a scene each year during Christmas season In Catholic churches Christ Child is often placed in man as part of the midnight mass The nativity has a special place among They call it the puiz from ihc German in eluded more than a nativity scene it is often an enure village in miniature com with meadows fences windmills soldiers and ponds The can be quite elaborate ana may lake up an entire room Optimist club member Handy brought along a CUM Booth helps one of the youths at the brighten Ibe party There was Centre Tor mentally ban decorating and slog songs at the children during a Christmas parly The Optimists 8777811 Dear Friends Customers We are pleased to announce our return as proud owners of Poppys Fine Dining We look forward to ser ving you in the near future Sue pvt We request reservations to be confirmed as soon as possible Thank liewYears LOWER LEVEL LOUNGE ENTERTAINING Mcdonald and sound investment Champagne at Midnight Snacks Party Favours Call For More Information fiasmve NEW YEARS EVE DINNER students also pal an a sang and dance show for the parents The theme of this years concert was Old Fashioned Christmas HOURS CLOSED CHRISTMAS DAY OPEN BOXMG DAY DEC 26 410 OponDec 10 Dec closed Dec 30 11 10 Doc 31 1 1 1 and Jan 1 1 Corner of Hwy St Georgetown Robert OUR JANUARY SALE starts Monday SAVINGS UP TO 50 OFF all sales final Spring cruise wear not included smith 133WyndhamSt Guelph v