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Thoughts Of Sugar Plums Danced In Their Heads Soviets Yule Is Like Ours Except A visitor to the officially atheistic nation of the Soviet Union at Christmastime would see very little that differs from western nations customs Colored lights decorated trees gift laden shoppers and Images of a bearded befurred old gentleman delivering toys from a sleigh these ana other traditional sights the eye The one significant difference is that the Russian Christmas has been shorn of any religious meaning officially at least There are some isolated Instances of Christian worship In Russia at this time The Russian Orthodox Christmas is celebrated with an hour Christmas Mass at midnight In a few churches This mass lakes place not on December IS but on January In conformity with he old Julian calendar To this day the Mass is splendid involving of the Curs It still brings thousands of faithful souls Into cathedrals to participate The richest mass is sung in Moscow Epiphany Cathedral Six priests garbed sing the Slavonic ritual in rich baritone and bass voices with accompaniment from two choirs high in a loft above the altar Usually the plain rough attire of many of the shippers contrasts sharply with Ihe splendor of the altar arid the priests 7tanA DAVE WILLIAMS ELECTRIC AND HEATING LTD 1 Georgetown it the season to be jolly We hope your holidays are filled with good cheer and lots of good things Thank you so much for your patronage throughout the year Service Centre R GEORGETOWN 8779042 An Old Spanish Legend San Froilan Of The Wilderness Many years ago a pilgrim monk Brother came to livelnthewllderness With him he brought an old rag for protection against the elements some packets of healing herbs and seeds for rowing Around his waist una his crucifix and a Damascan sword His neighbors were the remnants of the Germanic tribes all pagans believing In gods of wood stone and sacrifice With one of the few gold pieces he had brought he purchased a small gray donkey which became his companion and friend as well as his beast of burden This was his only friend among the hostile families nearby with whom he could not com by the spoken word Only the children treated him kindly They loved to watch him sit by the fire take his knife and carve some small animal which the knew a goat a calf a sheep even a wolf or fox traditional enemies As the months went by the older people began to trust him they began to share language and he read to them the story of Christmas and some of the teachings of Jesus from the breviary he carried at all times Even In Latin the stories had a rhythm and cadence they could enjoy But the monk knew that the tribesmen did not really identify with the meaning of his stories seemed to be the only humans who war to his spirit Brother pondered how he could reach the minds and souls the older folk Out of a quiet mind he summoned what might be the answer through the wooden figures he made things these people could see touch feel The little animals he carved represented that first Christ mas Perhaps he could also carve angels shepherds kings from the East perchance even the Holy Family Then he could indeed bring a Christmas to his neighbors which they could truly take to their hearts Thus the monk began fashioning the other figures of the first Christmas and he told the story to the children as he carved the figures The children delighted shared their joy with their elders The children made a small spread for the tiny Jesus figure Brother Froilan was deeply grateful to the heavenly Father for showing him a way to these people hearts ana perhaps to a better way of life through Christmas Did Sages Foretell The Journey The Star And Through the ages tha preuion given in history and legend is that the miracle of the Star of Bethlehem and he Journey of the Wise Med happened spontaneously Another legend tells of a certain nation in the extreme East which possessed writing ascribed to a person named Seth From this it would seem that the Star and the famous Journey had been looked for ward to for generations To paraphrase the old account Twelve of the learned men of that country were disposed to watch for that Star and when any of them died his son or one of hi kindred was appointed to his place Year after year these men ascended into a certain high mountain having In it a certain cave most pleasant with fountains into which ascending and bathing themselves they prayed and praised God in silence three days Generation after generation watchhing ever until it should appear descending on the mountain having within itself the form of a manchild and above the similitude of a cross and it spoke to them that they should Ringing In with good wishes for you at Christmas Hope your holidays be filled with good cheer BROCKTON MOTORS we rejoice In the message of Christmas oar prayer Is that your life may be falesNed love McNAMARA JEWELLERS McNamara It Irene Grill ion think of to wish our muni loth of hue of pood friend- a houseful of and a trtefnl of foils STEWARTS CARPENTRY GEORGETOWN MERRY And on good wilt toward mm May thi Christmas us lovt for all H WEST INSURANCE At this time of year its the oldest of traditions to pause and greet friends old and new it a a pleasure to wish you the happiest of seasonal FROM THE FOLKS AT DELREX SMOKE SHOP GEORGETOWN MARKET CENTRE It our favorite time of year and on of the most customs of the season greeting our many good friend and patrons and wishing the twit that life has to offer Merry Christmas you all PRESTONS LUCKY DOLLAR STORE AND STAFF GLEN WILLIAMS fin Now as In indent times may the folding light of Christmas be yours HOUSE OF FLAIR TheSTARKSS ROBINSONS of Starcrest Farms Georgetown wish their friends and neighbours a MERRY CHRISTMASl AND HAPPY NEW YEAR Were never too busy to pause and wish you the best for holiday season Thank you for letting us serve you Best wishes from Bill Doug Jim and Brim GOODLETS DOWNTOWN We re stirring to wish our many friends and patrons a very Merry Christmas I BARBERS JEWELLERY