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Marry Christmas Wednesday Dec C13 Candles light the way throughout the ages Although lias been said there was no candle to light he manager in the stable at Bethlehem still from early limes people have placed tapers in windows to light the way for the Christ Child and welcome Him In many countries anyone coming to the door Christmastime was inviled lo enter For some believed thai Christ Himself would appear at a house a candle concealing Mis identity to learn the extent of their kindness Candles have inspired men throughout the ages linking their bright glow with the beauty of failh Research by Hallmark candle expert John Sin reveals hat candles Greeks have unique religious ceremony to celebrate Christmas On Christmas Eve children Greek fam ilies go from house lo house singing carols lo the accompaniment tiny clay drums and link ling triangles are rewarded wilh gifts if figs walnuts almonds and sometimes money Afterwards I here is a Christmas Eve service which begins am and ends shortly before dawn The family then begins feasting Christ thread of Christ a simple cake Studded nuts and Kourbiedcs small takes dusted wilh sugar The Christmas dinner include roasl pig In rural house holds these arc fattened for he feast from mid summer on If a family cannot afford buy a pig usually relatives or neighbours provide one mere are no Chnst mas trees and no Christ mas presents SI Basil s Day or New Year Day is the lime for ex changing gifls Si Basil agios one of the four fathers of he Orthodox church is the Santa of Greek HAWAII Although many have never seen ice except in he form of a cube they paint heir Christmas trees white to simulate snow Christmas dinner is an elaborate affair but reserved for the mate family group be hind locked doors and drawn blinds Hawaiian hospitality is such lhai were the doors no I locked and blinds not drawn strangers would wander in expecting the host and hostess to offer open of food and drinks How ever inexpensive gifts are exchanged by every me children of water Since Greece has ways been a maritime nation it surprising thai blessing of he waters is an impressive part if the Christmas celebration This takes place i Epiphany Day high noon on that day the Archbishop or highest ranking priest leads a procession from he church the water Dressed in vestments he holds aloft before him a crucifix of gold or ebony a silver Image of he Saviour Acolytes and lesser clergy also clad In vestments him chanting as they march The congre gation follows In their wake The procession halts at the water edge The Priest a prayer and then after tying a scarf around he cross hurls it into the water the shore and from boats men and boys dive after it The one who suc ceeds in bringing it up receives a special blessing from the priest and usually a gift of money from the on lookers were generally used Christmastime as far back as he llth Century Until the Century they were made from allow or beeswax The latter was preferred as an emblem if Mary purity for wax is the product of virgin bees Many persons believed that bees came from heaven and It not unusual for religion- In lo keep swarms of them According to an early writer the wax represented Christ body wick His soul and the flame His divine nature The religious At this blessed Yule tide season we rejoice and give thanks as we welcome the Heavenly King In celebration of His Birth we extend heartfelt wishes to all Marg Wilson manager family staff Beckers Acton of the candle grew through the centuries after early Christians huddled in the damp chill catacombs of Rome used lighted candles as a source of comfort New candle materials In 1750 a substance from the head of sperm whale was found lo be superior lo tallow and beeswax Later in 1850 paraffin wax was developed and combined wilh stearic acid make candles of the modern lype candles wilh their delicate are especially popular at and they ore said bring good luck lo the heme The bayberry candle is uniquely Amer ican bushes grew in great abundance in the new world and after learning to extract the greenish wax from the wild baybemes he Pilgrims used it make candles The Irish place lighted candles in their windows on Christmas Eve as a guide and an invitation to all who like Mary and Joseph may be seeking shelter We re snowed under with loads of sincere wishes for yourfavonte kind of Christmas Thanks for your good will At Doris at ALS MARINE Main North Acton SOlte fJe take pride In our and want to express our appreciation for and confidence HOLIDAY HOURS Service Department Open evenings except Christmas and Now Year a Gas Bar December 6am 7pm December 25 CLOSED December 31 New Years Day CLOSED Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Shortills Service Centre Highway 25 South of Acton Its Christmas again and time to say how much it means to have the friendship and good will of folks like you Accept our sincere thanksi warm wishes for a HOLLAND SHOP May the radiance and gift of His love light your way to everlasting peace and contentment Best wishes for a joyous Christmas GRANTS MOTORS