The sun. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1937-1972, December 27, 1962, Image 16
Section B—Page 8
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1962
On every handy if you listen, you can hear the voices shout
that ^Christmas is too commercial. We are getting too far
away from the real meaning of Christmas**
So, what else is new? This has been the cry for years. Our
grandfathers complained that things were getting out of
hand. Our parents, to some degree, felt that the customs and
trappings associated with Christmas were getting somewhat
overdone. Those of us today concerned with the problems
of child-raising are finding plenty of opposition in trying to
get the real story of Christmas across to our children.
But, as we say, nothing is new. Whether we like it or not,
many of the customs and traditions associated with Christ
mas had their beginnings in pagan rites and festivals. The
early Christians faced the tremendous problem of converting
pagans who had worshipped the sun and indulged in mid
winter festivals for many millenniums.
The early progress of Christianity was slow, to say the
least, but as Christianity made gradual inroads into the
i
In Mexico, the posada celebrates the Holy Family’s journey
to Bethlehem. The procession is led by children carrying a litter
with the figures of Mary, Joseph and an angel.
Bearing candles, the procession moves from door to door, ask
ing through the medium of litanies, or songs, for lodging for
the night. From inside each house, they are answered, also in
song, but the doors do not open—until they reach the chosen
bouse, where the doors are thrown open and lodging, or posada
is granted.
There are refreshments, much rejoicing, and the high point
of the evening is when the pinata appears. The pinata is an
earthenware vessel filled with candies and sweets and then dec
orated gaily in the shape of some animal—an elephant, duck,
rabbit, pony, etc. The pinata is suspended from the ceiling. Each
guest is blindfolded in turn and given a stout pole with which
to break open the pinata—while the other guests attempt to
keep the pinata swinging out of reach. The person lucky enough
to break the pinata is showered with all the sweets and goodies
inside the clay jug.
In the spirit of the season, the goodies from the pinata are
shared with other guests.
GREETINGS . . . Workers from a nearby iron company touch up
an unusual Christmas greeting in Chicago’s Grant Park after wind-
Mown snow obscured message they had tramped out the day before.
AT BETH1 jBHKM ... In many countries, it traditional to recre
ate la some fashion the events which took p’ace in Bethlehem. Hie
Nativity scene is most popular. In some countries, however, an
annual holiday play Is staged, with live actors portraying the impor
tant roles. In the photo above, a 60-year-old shepherd plays the role
of St. Joseph and a 29-year-old woman acts as the Madonna as they
soothe “Baby Jesus” in the crib set up in an Italian stable.
THE NEWBERRY SUN, NEWBERRY, SOUTH CAROLINA
II
Remember it?
Outside, the snow piled white and fresh and just waiting to be
rolled up into a snowman
A kitchen filled with the wonderful smells of cooking; of spices
and sweets and sage and the rich smell of a big turkey baking...
A house filled with the joyous shout of children, and the smiling
faces of the grown-ups...
A house filled with love and the real, undying spirit of Christmas
In other words, an Old Fashioned Christmas, the best that ever was!
That’s the kind of Christmas we wish for you. We’ve long cherished
the strong, abiding friendships we have with those we serve, and for
this reason we put all the zest and sincerity possible in the two words
when we say to you:
BANK OF COMMERCE
BROWN & COUNTS, AGENTS
Prosperity, S. C.
Chapin, S. C.