The clothmaker. [volume] (Clinton, South Carolina) 1952-1984, December 15, 1980, Page Page 8, Image 8
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.