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BR ---- Yule Customs Reveal Many Variations Cherished memories, heart- felt joys, children's laughter-- everywhere, these mean Christ- mas, The spirit of Christmas knows no boundaries. It lives 'in the hearts of men in many lands. Though its message of joy is always the same, the le- gends and- lore of the season are as varied as the peoples who celebrate the Holy Birth. Customs of each country may be similar, yet marked by their own individual character. LE IN NEW MEXICO The Santa Domingo Indian pueblo, in New Mexico, per- forms a four-day-long sacred ritual dance in honor of the Christmas season. It begins at two A.M. Christ- mas day. After midnight mass, 'the Indians gather inside the church. They are clad in col- orful costumes, adorned with - everything from fox tails to evergreen branches. The dancers carry on their ceremonials until daylight. At dawn the Indians move to their sacred plaza in the center of the village, where they continue dancing throughout Christmas day. On the second day the child- ren dance, and the older mem- bers of the tribe take over for the third day. On the last day the entire pueblo joins in the day-long ceremonies. * * * IN CALIFORNIA Communities as well as coun- tries have their own special way of celebrating Christmas. In Joshua Tree, Calif., this small community transforms it- self into a replica of Bethle- hem. The story of the first Christmas is re-enacted, with the main street serving as a giant stage. * kk IN NEWFOUNDLAND Citizens of Newfoundland show. their Christian ethic§ with the Christmas custom known as "Fishing for the Church." On this day huge quantities of fish are caught and brought by the parishioners of a village to the church, where they are sold. "Good Will to all men." May your Christmas be truly joyful! oul glad tidings, our hearts are filled with joy! Nay all the blessings of Christmas be yours / ak David & Helen Menzies BEAUTY SALONS Proceeds of the sale go toward buying firewood for the curate. * * * IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA It's customary among the Czechs to break off a cherry tree 'branch, at the beginning of Advent, The branch is plac- ed in a pot of water in the kitchen. and kept in the warm air. At Christmas time, it's hoped, the twig will burst into bloom and make a festive decoration. x x * IN SCANDINAVIA The Jultomten is a friendly | GH Let the spirit. of the season brighten your life and open your heart to joy. LEVINSON'S It's time for holly and "mistletoe . for fun with friends and family? Happy Holidays all? Siebarth Auto Body | a Christmas tree. gnome, who not only brings gifts to Scandinavian children but guards the household and farm as well. To keep him happy, the children give the cattle extra fodder and leave sheaves of grain for the birds on Christmas Eve. * * * IN TURKEY A unique holiday tradition in Turkey requires the head of the church to throw a wooden cross into the Bosporus. On Christ- mas Day, three boys dive after it. The finder takes the cross from house to house and re- ceives in return food and gifts from those who are allowed to see the cross. * * % IN ICELAND Since trees are scarce in Ice- land, families must use their ingenuity in creating a Christ- mas tree. A pole with bran- ches of greenery tied to it is the solution in many Icelandic homes. And the valuable real trees are saved for industrial use. EN . * * * IN NORWAY' &> The Norwegian Christmas traditionally starts six months before December 24th. The celebration itself lasts three weeks. The period is know as the Julafred, or the Peace of Christmas. * * * IN FINLAND Just before Christmas Day, families in Finland take a sauna bath. This is the tradi- tional steam bath taken in a hut with a stone oven. * * * IN FRANCE Traditionally, adults in France do mot exchange gifts until New Year's Day. In some French villages, shepherds bring their lambs to church on Christmas. x * x IN LIBERIA Liberians use an oil palm in place of the traditional fir as The palm is decorated with red balls, other palm leaves and ferns. MERRY XMAS The use of Xmas for Christ- mas originated in the early Christian Church, reports World Book Encyclopedia. In Greek, X is the first letter of Christ's name. It often was used as a holy symbol. PORT PERRY BEVERAGES a § A gL Far a so y yy r= rw 1 *, bn estes ll lh tn oct ae Coolio mr Bain a adnan pls aos Braden satin sh aN Sin pte PRE | v Ai oy NT FEE ETLP EE SUPPLEMENT TO PORT PERRY STAR, THURS., DEC. 22, 1966 Bld brown disinad ctot fn dabivibe db ons siden sdd How The Christmas Tree Began The lights of the Christmas tree, most beautiful when re- flected in the eyes of a child, will bring peace and joy to millions of homes again this season, as they have for cen- turies. .But how did it begin? Why do we connect trees and lights with the birth of the Babe whom Christians consider the Messiah? There are several stories about the origin of the Christ- mas tree. People in Scandina- via once worshipped trees, and, explains World Book Encyclo- pedia, they made evergreen trees part of Christian festi- vals when they became Christ- ians. One legend tells how the first Christmas tree was shown in a miracle 'to the English mission- ary Winfrid (later called Boni- face). More than 1,200 years ago, while travelling in what is now northern Germany, Win- frid found a group of heathens at an oak tree, about to sacri- fice a child to the god Thor. Winfrid stopped the sacrifice and cut down the "blood oak". As the oak fell, according to the legend, a young fir tree ap- peared. Winfrid said the fir was the tree of life, represent- ing Christ. The Germans probably were the first to decorate Christmas trees. They used stars, angels, streets toys, gilded nuts, and' candies wrapped in bright paper, and later added tinsel and lighted candles. time trimmed their trees with little flags. Now they also use cookies, apples, and gilded nuts. - In the United States and Canada, homemade paper orna- ments, candy canes, and strings of cranberries and popcorn were - popular before the advent of shiny colored balls and strings of colored electric lights. Lights at Christmas represent Christ as the Light of the World. According to one story, Martin Luther put lights on his trees to represent the glory and beauty of the stars above Bethlehem on the night of Christs' birth. In the United States and Canada, candlelight services on Christ~ mas Eve. People in Ireland, World Book says, leave a cand- le 'burning in the window. In The Netherlands, on the eve of Epiphany, young men carry the Christmas star--actually a lan- tern containing lighted candles --as they stroll through the singing hymns carols." No matter what the origin, the tree ablaze with lights is something we remember from our earliest childhood . . . and something the very youngest children will begin to learn this Christmas. Bs carolers - sing their Happy Christmas songs, we add our voices to wish you good cheer. On this day of join in happy chorus to wish vou and yours "Merry Christmas!" celebration we SLATER'S Service Station Ee is S-- Ga "Ware buf /\OREETINGS . Wishing you -, a holiday season gleaming with | goodness. . WISHES " Laughter . of children, greetings of friends, make a Merry Christmas! Best wishes. Scandinavians at one many churches hold - and Gar GRR Cri = 3 a op JR "la * wo id a et ey 2 "- EY Te! Veo id ECS i hE Nd or 0 x In LSE A LL REN 1) - Stren od ~ So ps wig iy On Ur i afin pw ae oo EE x Fo AT er Po Soe nv Areas ws" or CITRNER or 4 - tn SG PER Fe hI PL oe AN Few Sat AST a Noa ! NG a ra »~ w - 4