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Page CHRISTMAS DOWNTOWN November IT IMS What is Christinas really about What Christmas It is the glorified holiday that children look for ward to every year Their favorite holiday of course How many other days out of the year do they get bora barded with gifts Christmas is a definite learning experience for kids They learn what it means to be greedy We celebrate Christ mas in tribute to the birth of Jesus Christ Apparently no one knows the exact date of His but most Christians observe December IS at Christ mas Day During the season we celebrate by decorating our homes and places of business with holly mistletoe and the famous Christmas tree The word Christmas comes from Christes an early English phrase that means moss of Christ The story of Christ mas from the gospels of Saint Luke and Saint Matthew in the New Testament According to Luke an angel appeared and told shepherds near the town of Bethlehem of the miraculous birth of Christ Matthew told how the three wise men or Magi were lead to this savior by a bright star KNOWN CELEBRATIONS The first known cele bration at Christmas occurred in AD This is according to an early Roman calendar It was celebrated on December In the late Chri stianity became the offi cial religion of the Roman empire By MOO Christmas became the most important religi ous festival in Europe During this time Saint Nicholas became a sym bol of giftgiving in many European coun tries In Protestantism was born During this time many Christians began to feel that Christmas included rellgious customs In the icons Christ mas was outlawed in England and In parts or the English Colonies in America because of these feelings Despite the outlawing of It people continued to exchange gifts regard less In the ISOOs two more customs evolved and became popular deco rating Christmas trees and sending greeting cards to friends and relatives called a On January the children of Spain put their shoes near a window or on a balcony The following day is Epiphany which is the last day of their In Spain people dance in the streets after midnight Silent Night and Hark The Harold Angels Sing were com posed during this time In countries Including the United States San ta replaced Saint Nicholas as the symbol of gift giving The Christmas tradi tion became important to different businesses for economic reasons SELL TREES Today companies manufacture Christmas decorations and sell trees for the occasion Many places hire extra help for the Christmas rush People celebrate Christmas all over the world InSpain for example people dance in the streets after Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve Most Spanish homes dis play a Nativity scene mas season This day celebrates Ihe visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus According to the Spa nish tradition the wise men visit each home anddistributegiftstoall the children their shoes In Poland the people attend Pasterka This means Ihe Shepherds Mass They then follow the ChristmdB tradition by breaking an which is a thin layer wafer made of wheat flour- and water NativUj scenes are stamped on the The head of the family holds the wafer and each person then eats a small piece of it The Christmas dinner consists of fish sauer kraut potato pancakes and beet soup So every different cul ture has its own way of celebrating Christmas with one thing In common Christs birth day HUMBLE In some cultures it is a very humble celebrati on In the United Slates and Canada however it is quite the opposite Around Christmas time every year people basically shop in depart ment stores while toy manufacturers work all day and reap In the anticipated millions This generation of children has grown up receiving toys by the for Christ mas How many of these kids understand why they are being loaded with all of these wonder ful gins When you mention Christmas to a child today the first vision that may pop into his head will be a new doll or Vadar toy It might not be that holy wonder in Bethlehem so many centutlcs ago Recycle this news paper To find out bow call The Ontario Re cycling Information Service GOLD SALE WE HAVE EXTENDED OUR GOLD SALE TO SAT NOV GOLD CHAIN FROM PEHIHCH 10K14K EARRINGS HEAVY CHAINS BANGLES PEARLS 50 OFF 10KQOLO CHARMS ZODIACS PENDANTS CROSSES 50 OFF SALE OF GOLD MANUFACTURERS CONSIGNED STOCK ENDS JUNE miasm Jeweller DOWNTOWN I just had my red suit delivered by North Stars delivery service Why dont you phone 8770469 for your free pickup and delivery 15 off all dry cleaning orders Same day service Mon Sat DRY CLEANERS 55 Main St S Downtown Georgetown 8770469