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r ~ ~ •* 1^' m i *; 24—THE CHRONICLE, Clinton, S. C., Decemi>er 26, 1968 1 I 11 I V_JC_J L_1 i—i ^ v. CJ V7 BESTWtSffiS THIS CHRISMS It's the season of joy and good cheer . . . time to wish you a most merry Christmas, and to extend hearty thanks Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio N. Broad 833-3932 Christmas in medieval Eng land was called l hristes Masse, then Thirst’s Mass, un til it aquired its present spel ling. The day is still known in many European countries as "Christ's Birthday" and is cal led N'oel by the Erench, Nat- ale by the Italians, Weihnacht by the Germans, and Yulen ,lul by the Scandinavians. Most scholars agree that Gee. 25 is most certainly not the birthday anniversary of the Savior, and that He was not born in what we now measure as 1 A.D. The custom of cel ebrating Christ’s Birthday on Dec. 25 originated in Rome in the fourth century of the Christian Era, some say in 354 A. I). The Roman monk Dionysius Exiguus, who made the calculations for the calen dar in the sixth century’, prob- ably misplaced A.D. by at least six years. Herod the Great, according to the current Gregorian cal endar, died in 4 B.C. He is said to have put to death the boy babies in Bethlehem who were two years old and younger. The first Christmas mav^have been as early as 6 B'.C. In finally choosing Dec. 25 for Christmas, the early church fathers probably were not un mindful that the Roman feast week of the Saturnalia ended on Dec. 24, after which some purification of the soul would be in order. Worshippers of the Persian god Mithras cel ebrated Dec. 25 as the advent of the Sun. The place of Christ’s birth is much better established than the time. If you went to Beth lehem this Christmas and asked to see where .Jesus Christ was born, the inhabitants would di rect you to a small grotto, or cave, beneath the Church of the Nativity. History fixes the year of the Savior’s birth at 6 B.C. All the historical quibbling is of little significance to the real meaning of Christmas, which can be read in the face of al most any child at some mo ment on Christmas Day. V o v r THE WASSAIL BOWL Eor the brewing, let there be ginger, nutmeg, and a pinch of cinnamon. One half pound of sugar added to some goodly ale. Heat. Stir but do not boil. Add a good portion of Malaga wine, the zest of lemon, and six apples cored and roasted. Honor to vou who sit near the well of it and drink ye fill of it. Santa A NEEDS > <5 another sWEiPER- tlhffht eni/Auuni, CTDay the spirit of that night, on which the Saviour was born, shine upon you in this Christmas season. tfaxdU fa* tfottx tattUMued feed teiil. Lee's Barber Shop Enterprise Street 833-9921 Santa needs another helper— not another street corner bell ringer, but "a man with a broom". Santa’s presents, as every one knows who has seen the aftermath around the family Christmas tree, carry with them their share of litter. It is estimated that the av erage Christmas package is a- bout 20 percent wrappings, rib bons and ornaments—all po tential litter. The best way to help Santa with the Christmas litter prob lem is to follow three simple rules: Pack and store reusable gift wrappings in a safe, out-of- the-way place. Bundle other wrappings in a rubbish container Tor safe disposal. Take down your Christmas tree when the needles start fal ling and dispose of it where it won’t cause litter or be a fire hazard. A final warning: “Don’t let Christmas become New Year’s litter." ■ v ■•••••••••••••••■•■•■• • * • • ■ ■ • % 53 <£k 111 F..;:: ..•.•TTT-7 LAURENS Electric Cooperative, |nc THETWEVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS The firs’ day of Christmas my true love sent to me A partridge in a pear tree The secono day of Christmas my true love sent to me two turtle doves And a partridge in a oear tree The third day of Christmas my true love sent to me Three French Hens Two turtle doves And a partridge in a pear tree The fourth dav of Christmas my true love sent to me Four Colly buds The fifth dav of Christmas my true love sent to me Five gold rings The sixth day of Christmas my true love sent to me Six geese a-laying The seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me Seven swans swimming The eighth day of Christmas my true love sent to me Eight maids a-milking The ninth day of Christmas my true love sent tome Nine drummers drumming The tenth day of Christmas my true love sent to me Ten papers piping The eleventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me Eleven ladies dancing The twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me Twelve lords a leaping, CHnstmas (greetings /r Eleven ladtowlancing Ten pipers piping Nine drummers drumming, Eight maids a-milkmg, Seven swans swimming, Six geese a-laymg Five gold rings, Four Colly birds, Three French Hens Two turtle doves, A partridge in a pear tree £ Luminaria City Lights The Way During the holidays, Albur- querque is called Luminaria City. Millions of paper sacks are lighted by a single can dle inside. They are called Luminarias or farelites Eifter the Spanish who originated the custom. Entire neighborhoods go to other to "light the way for e lost Christ Child,” as the Spanish tradition has it. The lights give the appearance of golden lanterns when spaced about three feet apart on the edges of the sidewalks, flat roofs and beside steps. New Mexicans have dec orated their homes at Christ mas with luminarias for about 300, years. Originally New Mexicans used little bonfires of bright burning pinon and pine to light the paths of pro- cessions and festivities at Christmas. Small lanterns from Mexico were also used. It is not known who first used the paper sack luminaria,but each year the custom has spread until today they are the traditional New Mexico Christmas light. About two Inches of sand or dirt is placed In each sack, and the top of the sacks are folded down one time. In side the sack goes a small ve- tive candle which burns about two hours. IN SICILY In Sicily, many families use Christmas trees, but they dec orate them with apples and oranges instead of tinsel! This carries out an old tradition that all the trees bore fruit when Christ was born. This is the season of good cheer when family and friends gather to celebrate the holiday amid sounds of music and laughter, the smell of good foods to eat, presents for all. To faithful friends old and new we offer a “Merry Christmas” and our thanks for your generous consideration. PIGGLY WIGGLY ****** * * ************* ****** *********** ******** AND V v.* , A happy season is upon us, bringing joy to one and all. Warmest appreciation! MERRY CHRISTMAS From Your Metropolitan Man JAMES E. FURR May the Star that blazed in the heavens on the night of Misbirth shine upon you and yours at Christmas, bringing you a full measure of peace, joy and happiness. To all our friends we send our warmest greetings for a happy holiday season filled with laughter, good times and good cheer. We appreciate your kind and loyal patronage. LEONARD CARICOFE, 126 Muafrm St. CHntoa, S. C. 833-2101