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Gold, Frankincense "And when-they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and Sorsh red him: and when they had opened their treas- ures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankin- cense, and myrrh." (Matthew 2:11) Of these three gifts, only gold is still today a familiar and precious commodity. However, in the time of Christ, both frankincense and myrrh were equally valuable and well-known commodities, used in trade between the Middle East and Mediterranean countries. Gold, because' of its rarity and beauty has-been the world's most precious metal since its discovery more than 6,000 years ago. Then, as now, it served as a medium of exchange, and was considered a symbol of wealth and ower. Because gold is soft and pliable, it was also used or making fine jewelry and artifacts. Both frankincense and myrrh are gum resins of trees, which grow only near the monsoon regions of Ethiopia, Somaliland and Southern Arabia. A DOZEN WAYS TO SAY "Merry Christmas!" ° christmas gree(ings A dashing good time to folks everywhere. We're grateful for the favors shown us. Port Perry VARIETY STORE | ---- LEY Why Ad £ 5, A POE ATA ck Fal od 2 : 3 IRR RRS SY 4 y 2 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- CHRISTMAS EDITION 1973 ' AndMyrrhwerethe Gifts of the Magi... Frankincense, which comes from a tree of the same name belonging to the balsam family, is an aromatic gum resin and was an important ingredient of an Incense mixture used in Hebrew re- ligious rituals. It was also as a remedy for physical ailments. 'Myrrh is a fragrant, bit- certain uded from any of several shrubs, which grow in the same sections as frankin- cense. It was used mainly as a base for ancient cosihetics and perfumes, It was also used medically as a pain- killer and in mouthwash mixtures. It is used in some mouthwashes today. Myrrh also was used in many reli- gious ceremonies. Anyone who is curious about these substances may find them at The American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The Mu- CENSER, decorated, gaily from Kuwait, in use today royal pair, the party got in- to full swing. Revels wound up with final kisses under the mistletoe. Before suit- rise, gl the Christmas greens had to be taken down because of the pre- vailing superstition that a goblin would appear for cach leaf that was not re- moved in time, It became customary, through the centuries, for the reigning King of Eng- land to open Twelfth Night revels by throwing dice. In the 17th century, Charles II played for high stakes, win- ning 150 pounds one year and losing 100 pounds the next, both tremendous sums used as an air purifier and' ter-tasting gum resin ex- | May a peaceful and * cheery Yule be yours, Your loyalty is greatly appreciated. ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCH 419 -- PORT PERRY seum usually features all Season's best to you, this Christmas Day. We appreciate the patronage shown to us. Frank Vale Electric Greenbank Baking the Pie "The devil dares not show himself in Cornwall at Christmas time lest he should be baked in a pie." "This old English saying takes its humorous inspir- ation from the wide variety of ingredients actually used in the mince pies and other Christmas pies of early England, according to the editors of The New Book of Knowledge. One l4th-century recipe for a Christmas pie includ- ed: a pheasant, a hare, a capon, two partridges, two pigeons, two rabbits, beef meat balls, eggs, pickled mushrooms, seasonings and spices, all in a pastry crust. ---- Czech Vesele Vanoce for burning frankincense. three treasures as part of ! Dutch Prettige Kerstdagen Photo courtesy The American its December special ex- f Museum of Natural History hibit. Finnish Hauskaa Joulua . A French Joyeux Noel dh . { Li h .99 ° -- 'east ol Lights" m German Froehliche Weihnachten 5 ° it Greek Kala Christogene Merrie Old England Italian Buon Natale ' | {; Over 1400 years ago, the for that period. ) Portuguese Feliz Natal Council of Tours decreed Festivities included choos- that the celebration of ing a King and Queen of Russian S Rojdestvom Xristovym Christmas should continue the feast. Slices of a plum | on for twelve days through cake containing a bean and ¥ Spanish Feliz Navidad Epiphany, which falls on a pea were served and the 4 January 6th. This day, also man who got the bean and Swedish ~God Jul known as "The Feast of the woman who got the pea Lights," is still observed by were crowned King and Welsh Nadolig LLawen many churches. Queen. With toasts to the ee ---- There's no holding 'back the wishes we have rounded up for you. Enough to fill a corral with happiness. Thanks, folks! a 2 = [ Let joy enter your hearth and home. Thanks for your support. May the happiness of friendships be re- kindled this Christmas. Manager & Staff ROYAL BANK Lawrence Malcolm - Mayor And Family