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: > v - * * • * : , ^ ^ r » • < , * , , • - - f f * \ , / i •*»>/ tw- ^ ^ t Artistic Views In Bethlehem, it's the rainy . *.*:• season. ; •,. " >£r In Hawaif, r Santa Claus !S; might arrive'by boat, and < Christmas could be celebrated on a sunny beach. In Australia, >\ Christmas is a time for picnicking -- it's summer "down under." > Even in Northern lands, December 25th does not always . provide the pleasures of a "White Christmas." In spite of th«? varying climes where Christmas is observed, and in sffite of the frequent shortage 6f ice and snow at the appropriate time, the traditional image of Christmas is, and probably always will be, a wintry, snowy landscape -- celebrated in song and stor$r, pictured in countless paintings. The countryside under a blanket of snow, the hillside drifted deep in white, the trees i bent down with snow or crys- * tal-bright with ice, the lakes, rivers and streams gleaming in ice-covered magnificence -- these are favorite themes in holiday lore, and favorite dreams for all those who spend Christmas Cpzily among the conveniences of modern centrally- heated buildings and modern transportation. The "winter wonderland" of ice and snow has been a frequent source of inspiration for artists. There's a wealth of winter landscape paintings that, although not directly associated with Christmas, seem to set the mood andjreflect the spirit of the season In 16th and 17th century • Pg. 8, Sec; 2 - Plaindealer - Mon. Dec. 23. 1968 ^9^* Flowers ^pecik ^ In Modern or Victorian ; Like holly, ivy and mistier toe, flowers share in the legend and lore of Christmas. In terms of the Victorian era, the floral legend is an especially meaningful one* f > A Victorian lady who received a bouquet; from her admirer could either smell it or read it as if it were a letr ter. Often, it was a letter: . Young engaged couples, o strictly chaperoned, found a way to communicate words of affection via flowers. Each flower had a special meaning. Flowers in sequence could be used to spell out a fervent pledge- of love. To help in composing -- and translating -- these messages, there were numerous tiny dictionaries listing flowers and their meanings. « The flowering honeysuckle, for instance, spoke of "bonds of I'love." A red rosebud told a lady that she was "pure arid lovely." Red double pink meant "woman's love." And heliotroper carried a bold message, "I love you." This Victorian language of flowers greatly influenced the design of Christmas cards of the time -- witness the card illustrated here, from the Norcross Historical Collection of antique cayds.,-V-- The lush summer blooms, are typical of the, Victorian admiration of flowers, regardless oi the season. Though sentiments may be expressed differently, flowers still bloom on modefh Christmas cards. A current card offers one example. Poinsettias flower on at background of mistletoe, and the message reads, "Just for you, honey, all my love at Christmas." in the legend and lore of f Christmas, holly has both a j merry and melancholy sign*- ? ficance. s.y' '• Fairies; s6 it is said, loved ? the holly. They found its leaves > such a comforting shelter that £ even after holly was cut from s the trees, they lingered about, , allowing themselves to be car- < ried indoors, where they pro- \ tected the home from evil* spirits. Later, Christian believers f saw the ' thorny leaves and 3 bright red berries of the holly I as symbols of the Crown of Thorns and the sacrifice which» t h e C h r i s t C h i l d , g r o w n t o j manhood, madejjnCalvary. « Symbolizing Victory * I In legend, the laurel and the* bay have told the story of victory, and triumph since 'Jn®1; days of ancient Greece. VJJ Ivy was the convivial grefi^ of pagan holidays, and w#s^ supposed to express the Joy-< ousness of Bacchus. The yew. and the cyprus symbolize eter-, nal life. . •' I Wl V Illustration from theBettman Archive 67-MAT PAGE 27 BECAUSE CHRISTMAS IS TRADITIONALLY A WINTER WONDERLAND, paintings such as "Winter Scene" by the Flemish artist Hendrik Avercamp seem to capture the mood and reflect the spirit of the holiday season. Avercamp devoted his talents to depicting the winter landscapes of Holland. This painting, which is in the Rijks Museum, Amsterdam, appears in the Grolier Book of Art, a 10-volume encyclopedia. v , $ to the winter landscape, Aver- ter Bruegel the Elder -- a Rome to the Netherlands, re- than the "contemporcamp's paintings capture to painter whose fascination with crossing the Alps on his way. ary Italian art, tnose mounbranches of trees etch their patterns against expanses of ice, in contrast with the cozy cottages and, on the ice, the Holland, for instance, a whole merry skaters, for an ideal tradition of landscape paint- blending of the cold weather ing was devoted solely to de- an(j warm Ispiyit of a winter picting winter scenes -- some- holiday. what unusual since the winter weather of Holland is not es- Of Avercamp's personal K$specially cold. tory, little is known. Records 1 _ . . . - , show that he was baptized in wJhfiit?er Ctmstmases aHte one Amsterdam in January 1585, and buried t Kampen fn 1634 of the definitive painters of ms palntlng was Influenced winter scenes is Hendrik Av ^ ^ piemish landscape traercamp. dition and particularly by Pie- Perhaps because he devoted -- -- -- -- ' r his artistic talents exclusively Burning the Log From a miraculous Star to a tiny candle, gleaming lights have cast a glow over holiday festivities for centuries. Pagan sun-worshippers lit candles and kindled fires at winter festivals to help the returning sun gain strength. J Traditional for both light and warmth is the blazing YUle log. Like all "Christmas lights," it has both a religious and a festive significance in holiday lore. Because legend says that the ^Christ Child was washed and 'dressed beside an ash wood fire, the people of early England always had Yule logs of ash wood. Ash had a practical aspect, too, because it was the only green wood which would burn. The Yule log of England and continental Europe was often believed to have mystical powers to protect the home. To give this protection, the Yule log had to be kept burning all through the 12 days of Christmas. Later, the "blazing Yule" was primarily associated with the feasting and festivity of the winter holidays. perfection both the beauties the winter scene did much to and pleasures of winter. Bare shape his landscape style. The mountains and scenery of tainous vistas influenced his Italy made an immense im- landscape style -- and ulti- _ .. pression on him, as reflected mately inspired Avercamp and The snow-covered hillsides in the drawings he made at the other Flemish painters of the seen in the work of the time. ever-wonderful winter scene. elder Pieter Bruegel contrast strangely with the flat, icy terrain of his native Holland. The explanation is to be found in travels which took him to mountainous lands. Bruegel became a master in the Antwerp painters' guild in 1551, and shortly afterward journeyed to France and Italy, says the Orolier Book of Art. In 1554 he returned from fiitves 1 (ftvistwias May the spirit of the first Christmas be born anew in your hearts to bless you with its glorious message, at this holy time. Justen Furniture 1265 N. Green St. McHdKry, III. m /;> GREETINGS ^reelin^i1 Christmas Jo; Rejoice, it's Christinas. To you, glad greetings, with gratitude for your kind patronage. Port-O-Cmil 140d N. Riverside McHanrjf 385-970U Our heartfelt thanks! May all of your gifts be wrapped in holiday spirit, your tree be decked with good things. TONES Music 3719 W. Elm McHenry THt STORY OI THE fjAt this crisp and exciting time of year, we are hopeful that your holiday will be filled with joyous warmth, richly shared with those you hold dear'. And to you, our customers, we express our tksmks and appreciation for your continued patronage. Merry Christmas! ALEXANDER [LUMBER Highway 31, south q£ MsilnSf, 385-1424 / thanks are but a small token of our appreciation for your loyalty and friendship. It's always our pleasure to serve you. McHenry Lumber Co. 4030 W. Main Phone 385-4600 "STAR OF BETHLEHEM FLOWER" SymboB oi? Christmas The flower we know as the poinsettia was brought from Mexico over 130 years ago by Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, first U.S. Minister to Mexico and was known as the "Flower of the Holy Night." As the legend goes, a poor child wanted to enter the church on Christmas Eve, but had no gift to offer the Holy Child. As he prayed outside with tears in his eyes, a beautiful green plant with gorgeous flowers sprang up. He picked the stems, entered the church and carried them to the manger. Since then the Poinsettia has bloomed everywhere in warm climate areas at Christmas time, symbolizing with its red or white star shaped flower the Bethlehem star that announced the Savior's birth. Watch for Grand Opening at our New Location !!! ristmaer A special thanks to you.... \ our good friends throughout the community . for your faithful patronage and continued good will. • eJlocLer'i 1213 No Third Street QwerS 385-2300 - McH< 3S33E3n 9 AL'S Wading & Repair 4021 W. Main .. • . . • BETTY - BEVERLY - MILLIE E. \ -MARION-BETSY-ELSIE -and GENEVIEVE af Cjeneuieve 6 1315 N. Riverside Drive McHenry 385-0238 • ' ^ - - --7