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•M vv-' • Carol Can Be- Tongue-Twister "On the first day of (Christmas* my true love %ent to me a partridge in a .pear tree." So begins "The Twelve Days of Christmas/' a traditional and favorite song of the holiday season. The ballad tells the story of the gifts, a lover sends to his lady on each of the 12 days from Christmas to Epiphany. a « The first gift, a partridge in a pear tree, may have bfeen inspired by an old drinking song, "A Pie safon a Pear Tree," say the editors ;Of The New Book of Knowledge. , , As a ballad, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an example of the "number chain fbrmula" in folk songs. As a carol, it is of the type that marked the change from formal hymns in Latin to musical poems in the vernacular of the people: . 'The song can be sung in la variety of ways. In Great Britain and the United [States, it often becomes a game song in which each person, following a leader 'in repetitions, must pay a forfeit if he misses a line. Sometimes the descriptions of the gifts turn into mouthdefyiiig tongue twisters! JChurches :"v • Holy Day \ With special services, i churches of this community ' celebrate Christmas -- a hol- ' iday that is, first of all, a holy , day. Festivals of light, music ' and prayer are dedicated to ' the birth of a Holy Child in : Bethlehem, nearly two thou- * sand years ago. For Christian ^eilievers, . each of these -- lightrmvUfic, \ prayer--has a special me^-y : ing associated with Christ*-" I mas. | "And lo, the star, which j they saw in the east, went bet fore them, till it came and X stood over where the young ' Mild was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." Matthew {2:9-ro. '• * I The Star "that VguiBed* tlie J Wise Men shines as symbol : of Christ, the Light of the world, and it in turn is sym- { bolized by all the bright lights | that twinkle at Christmas } today. } Candlelight services reflect >, the radiance of the holiday, L in Christian observances everywhere. r "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude ) df the heavenly host praising ; Qod, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on i earth peace, good will toward i men." Luke 2:13-14. Since the angelic chorus brought "glad tidings of great , Joy" to shepherds watching j in the fields, hymns and carols of rejoicing have told of ! the wonder and glory of Christmas. That the words of the angels composed the first of all Christmas carols is a thought repeated again and again in favorite songs of the season. "Hark! (he Herald Angels Sing" makes this thought its theme, and another familiar carol, "It Came uoon the Yesteryear's CustomsLive At Yuletide Candles and .carols, trees $nd treats, gifts' and greets -- and Santa Claus, of course. Wherever Christmas is^celebrated, these symbols seem to appear. . In the modern era of rapid communication, there is a growing uniformity in the ways that people everywhere choose to mark the holiday. Yesteryear's custonfk, however, still have their place in modetn celebrations. It's a case of "the more things, change, the mpre they, stay the same," as countries, communities and individuals seek to cherish and preserve their own special holiday traditions. „ Some of these traditions, as treasured in memory orkept alive in holiday ritual, are compiled in the following paragraphs, according to information from the editors of Encyclopedia International. • * • • It's a Mystery - Mysterious things happen on Christmas Eve, say country legends of Switzerland. Young people may foretell the future, if they drink fr6m nine different fountains Midnight Clear," is devoted to "that glorious song of old," on the night when "the world in solemn stillness lay to hear - the angels sing." Christmas music in the churches celebrates the joy of the Nativity. "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him." Matthew 2:11. "And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them." Luke 2:20. Thus wrote two of Christ's disciples, Matthew and Luke-, telling of the awe and wonde^, the joy and reverence experienced alike by wise men and shepherds. Especially at Christmas, in church services and private tfe^otipns, Christians give prayerful thanks to God, for tl\e miracle-of the manger. , J V:\feiirNc' EvfiRVwriERi-i In every country where Christmas iscelebrated,carols are a part of the celebration. Yodeling Yule • ' ' ^ . • '• -"'".if. v'tpO: ;Mon. Dec. 23, 1968 - Plqjriidealer - • Secv 2, ' while the midnight church v , .. ' v , bells chjme. _Then, if they --' ^ A hasten to the church steps, their future mates will await them there. Somewhat less romantically, older folk seek to predict the weather for: the coming year, using onion peels filled with salt. An old custom of the Austrian Tyrol is the Christmasyodel. Traditionally, the Yuletide yodel--a song with-^ out words -- may be impro^ vised, or it may be based on the tune of a familiar carol.-; AAs- you sm. g,m :4m - out in Yuletide i cheer, we sing out with thanks for . your patronage; We wish you a iristmas I DENNIS A. CONWAY 3315 W. Elm McHenry 385-7111 JOE. S. PODPORA 1212 Green St. McHenry 385-4080 Freund's Dairy 3912 N.. Richmond Road 385nOI95 TtaCe od _ „ „ „ „„As Wise Men journeyed to Him bearing gifts, so shall we journey through life, in quest of the peace He promised. Ye Ol#e' Corner Tap 3901 W.'Main Street 385-6505 * - * We especially thank you for making the year for us a success that has permitted our remodeling and expansion program thatis inprogress. We promise to give you more and better service in 1999. Bill Dupialski, Owner & Manager - CHAI N - O - LAKES TRAVEL SERVICE 3405 WEST ELM STREET McHENRY 385 -7500 L \^e pray that the miracle of His birth in a humble manger will once more spread its wonders, its promise across the land, bringing peace on earth, good will to men. In the joyous spirit of the holiday we offer our thanks to our customers for your many kindnesses. We greatly value and enjoy the privilege of serving you. Merry Christmas. iry Savings" & McHenry, III. Your State Farm Family Insurance Men faf McHenry County exteed best wishes for a safe and happy Holiday Season and remind everyone. . . . policyholders and non-policyholders alike; for your I V • V-'.v. ^ i car, your home (or farm), your life and your health, State Farm is all you need to know about insurance. GRANVILLE SQRNSON 1212 Green St. McHenry 385-1627 ARTHUR H. GORHAM 204 Harvard State Bank Harvard 943-4800 ROBERT K. McCOY 214 Dean St. ) Woodstock 338-4422 ORVILLE M. KERNS 603 Park St. Woodstock 338-0586 STATE FARM INSURANCE CLAYTON R. BRANDES 455 Coventry Green Crystal Lake 459-0134 WILBUR F. RINK 85 S. Williams Crystal Lake 459-5033 late F Is All You Need About Insurance STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANIES Hdme Offices: Bloomington, Illinois V * .