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Page 8 Christi One of the greatest religious holidays and festivals of the world is the annual celebration of Christmas. A multitude of colorful ceremonies and time-tested traditions surround the occasion. Many events were adopted by various religious groups and family or community units in scattered lands down through the years. Christians celebrate the day, of course, as the birthday of Jesus Christ and associate the gift giving with the oft-repeated phrase from John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son." The occasion is of great importance to many other faiths, however, with some traditions going back to times before the birth of Christ. The Romans more than 2,000 years ago, L r\ i ivji caoiii^/ic, nau d sedbuii ui uetemDer merrymaking called Saturnalia when they decorated their homes and temples with green boughs and flowers and exchanged gifts. At about this period, members of the Jewish faith began celebrating Chanukah or Hanukkah?also known as the Festival of Lights or the Feast of Dedication?to commemorate recapture of the Jerusalem temple from early Syrians and Greeks. The observance, which includes lighting a candle on each of eight consecutive days, began on December 15 this year. The background of many popular customs in America and elsewhere is also deeplv rooted. Examples include: Recent Service Anniversaries 5 Years Donna Patterson Office Johnny J. Tucker No. 2 Marie L. Franklin Lydia Clifford E. Wooddrd Lydia Willie M. Werts Lydia Essie M. Toland Lydia Robert Adams No. 2 Thomas E. Anderson Lvdia Shirley M. Copeland Lydia Jack Cape Bailey Betty Cannon Bailey 10 Years Annie P. Johnson No. 1 Doyle Emery Lydia Jesse Roberson No. 2 Inez Hair Lydia KathyBarr Lydia 20 Years r.unice w. uaughman Bailey 25 Years Joseph R. Cothran No. 2 J.H.Whitmore No. 2 30 Years Doris Harvey No. 2 Robert F. Ray Bailey 35 Years J.C. Lawson No. 2 mas Hoi ?- fa D/I f!%L4 S\ jL?, Christmas Trees?Thousands of years ag< evergreen trees were revered as symbols o long life and immortality. Some regardec firs as the Tree of Life originating in th? Garden of Eden. Godlike spirits were be lieved to inhabit the trees, and peopli brought trees into their dwellings to pleasi and shelter the spirits. For Christians, thi evergreen became the Christmas tree, am German immigrants brought the concep with them to the new world. Christmas lights?Candles were burne< during the periods of Saturnalia and Chanu kah. Tradition tells us that the Irish firs placed candles in windows to guide thi Christ Child on His way...or to encourage i visit from a priest, say others, by lighting , path to their homes. Martin Luther is ere dited with first putting candles on Christma trees as a way of depicting the stars glowini in the Heavens. CHRISTMAS jH^joy Santa Claus?The original St. Nichola reportedly was a rich bishop who lived durinj the fourth century in what is now Turkey There are accounts of his mysterious jour neys to deliver secret gifts to the unfortun ate. Later St. Nicholas became a patroi saint of children throughout Europe. In war mer climates he was depicted riding a whit horse, but in Scandinavia a reindeer-draw sleigh seemed more appropriate. Dutch set tiers brought him to America, and ou legends gradually located St. Nick's head quarters at the North Pole. Christmas Gifts?Pagans exchanged pre sents in ancient days at the start of a Nev iday Trac Year. The tradition changed to Christmastime giving for Christians based on the story of the Three Wise Men bringing gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Christ Child. Gifts were linked to the generosity and good will prevailing during the holiday season. A A e Christmas Stockings?One story is that j Scandinavians first put wooden shoes (not t stockings) outside doors on Christmas Eve to signify a desire to live in peace and harmony. Use of stockings is said to have begun when some mid-European maidens hung their stockings by the fire to dry; and St. Nicholas, knowing they had no dowry, dropped in several coins. Others started hanging stockings, on knrMnrt I uw, nw|Jlllg IUI glll^. ? Social Secui : Will Be Higt a !- The social security (FICA) deduction fr s The social security tax rate will be 6.65 g In addition, the "wage base"?the maximi taxes are paid?rises from $25,900 last These increases stem from legislation e financial stability of the social security s; Those paying into the social security themselves and their families. In additn security Drovides disability anrl snrviunrc throughout your working years. Social security deductions also pay for N 65 or older or who have been getting di& earning less than $25,900 a year won't r deductions as workers in higher income I If your earnings are $10,000 a year, f security in 1981 than you did in 1980. If your earnings are $25,900, you wi 1981?an additional $2.59 a week. ^ On earnings of $29,700 or more, the $387.38?or about $7.45 a week. This I< base in 1981. But those workers in higher n when they are eligible for social security. benefit amounts are based on the amount e paid. n Employers, such as Clinton Mills, also v they match, dollar for dollar, the social s r IN THE YEARS AHEAD I- The social security law provides for adc base in future years in order to keep th footing. The tax rate of 1982 through 1984 wil 1989 7.15%, and for 1990 and later 7. The law also provides for automatic incr in the cost of living. After you start gettn increase each year if the cost of living g( BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID Clinton, S.C. Permit No. 59 v litions 1 & & N*1 y m y noel Christmas Carols?Folk songs were sung at holiday revels even in ancient times. In medieval days the words of religious dramas were chanted. And in the 13th century, St. Francis of Assisi popularized some of the church chantsand led followers in humming his sermons and in caroling in the community. 1 Mistletoe?Early Romans regarded the misueioeasa symbol of peace and good will. Primitive Britons thought it had magic power to heal disease. Druids in Ireland believed that mistletoe belonged to the goddess of love, and that every woman passing under it should be kissed. All this led to the modern legend that a girl kissed under the mistletoe will marry soon. rity Deduction ler In 1981 om your paycheck will be higher in 1981. percent in 1981, compared to 6.13 in 1980. im amount of earnings on which social security year to $29,700 in 1981. inacted in 1977 and are needed to insure the /stem. system are building lifetime protection for on to monthly benefits in retirement, social insurance that protects you and your family Medicare hospital insurance for people who are ability checks for at least 24 months. People lotice as big a change in their social security brackets. or example, you will pay $52 more in social That's $1 more a week. II pay $134.68 more into social security in social security tax in 1981 will increase by irppr inrrpacp roflortc iho hmhor ^i~ -- 0 .wi.ww imw 11151 ici ioaouic wa^c income brackets can count on higher benefits Their monthly checks will be higher because of earnings on which social security taxes are nil pay more into social security in 1981 since ecurity taxes paid by employees. Iitional increases in the tax rate and the wagt ? social security system on a sound financial I be 6 70%, 7.05% for 1985, 1986 through 65%. eases in social security benefits to reflect rises ng benefits, the amount of your payment will >es up by 3 percent or more.