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SEC. K PAGE 4 The Newberry Sun, Newberry, S. C., Thursday, December 22, 1966 *** FOR YOl , DAI) . . . This pint-sized Santa has a Christ mas surprise for dad, a pair of fashionable slacks with a permanent waistband. I\ SYRIA I h c holiday season i n S\ ria differs from that in most countries. It begins on St. Rarbara's day, Dec. 4th and continues until Fpiph- anv. Jan. (ith. St. Barbara was outstanding in good ness. This e\ (‘, sacred to her memory, a table of sweet meats is arranged, prepared from nuts, su^ar, honey, and wheat, the latter in memory of the dead and si^nifyin^ the resurrection of the soul. Christmas Card History is Cloudy It is generally believed that the first card designed as a Christmas greeting, was done in England by J. Horsley in ( 1843 ). Actually the search for the "first" is still going on. Al though it bore no specific greet ing, The New York historical society, some 30 years before the Horsley card, sent to mem bers and friends of the society a woodcut of ST. NICHOLAS, which bore a Christmas poem in both Dutch and English. In 1932 Carl \Y. Drepperd discovered in a Pennsylvania attic a " Beadsheet" issued about 1842 by John M. YYelff, a Phil adelphia printer. The sheet fea tured a reproduction of C. C. Moore's "The visit of St. Nich olas" and carried a greeting "A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year". The first commercial Christ mas card business was in 1803 by an English firm. SWEDISH YULETIDE Preparations for Christmas in Norway traditionally start six months before December 24. The celebration itself lasts three weeks. This period is known as Julafred, orthepeace of ('hristmas. LIPSCOMB GULF SERVICE STATION Phone 276-4606 Newberry, S. C. JOY TO ALL! Warm greetings to the most wonderful people in the world . . . our patrons! JIM’S JEWELERS Main Street Dial 276-0773 Mistletoe Was Once Symbol of Evil The mistletoe, once a sym bol of death, later became to be considered as a magical medicine, is now a universal symbol of love and peace. A mistletow arrow, accord ing to Norse mythology, that Loki killed Balder, the sun god, after Haider's mother had obtained a promise from all living things, other than the mistletoe, that they would not harm him. Balder was restored to life and it was ruled by the gods that the mistletoe would never again be used to do harm. Ancient E u r o p e a n s con sidered the mistletoe a magical medicine. They carried it about with them for health and luck, and believed it a cure for ulcers and epilepsy as well as charm promoting fertility. The custom today of giving a kiss of love or peace beneath the mistletoe, although a rel atively modern one, is derived from the fact that down through the centuries the mistletoe has been recognized throughout the whole world as a symbol of lasting peace. Christmas Carols From Many Lands A part of the Christmas cele bration in America is the sing ing of yuletide carols. \Ye hear them from groups of carolers outside our doors, from choir lofts in our churches as well as radio and television. The Christmas season is enriched by favorite carols. Early settlers from Europe an lands brought us three of our favorite carols. "Away in a Manger” from Germany; God Rest You Merry Gentlemen" from England and "Cantique do Noel” from France. "Adeste Eideles” belongs to no country, however, it has been translated into 119 different languages and dialects. "It Came Upon A Midnight v'lear” was composed by Ed mund H. Sears, an American, in 1849. In 1859 Dr. John Henry Hopkins Jr. composed "We Three Kings Of Orient Are”. Dr. Hopkins was an American and the writer of "O Little Town Of Bethlehem” in 1868, Phillips Brooks, was an American too. THE WAITS An important part of ear ly English Christmas was the group known as the "waits”’. At first they were minstrels who sang and played at the court; afterward, watchmen, used to guard the streets. Finally the word was ap plied to the people who went from home to home singing Christmas carols; for their efforts they received small gifts or their suppers. MAKE YOUR OWN SNOW A n economical way to dress up your holiday dec orations is to make home made "snow". Put lots of soap chips or flakes in a little water. Beat lightly with a wire mesh spoon, long enough to get a thick foam. Smear on nee dles and stems of Evergreen branches, allow to dry. and you have a winter snow ef fect. SIDEBOARD BREAKFAST It’s an old English custom, breakfast off the sideboard. The informality of serving yourself is perfect for a holiday morn ing. Buffet breakfasts and brunches are an unusually at tractive way to help the home maker. MAY HAPPINESS LIGHT UP YOUR HOLIDAY SEASON! IT’S A PLEASURE TO WISH OUR FRIENDS THE BEST. BISHOP'S SKATING ARENA E. Main Street Ext. Phone 276-9249 Newberry, S. C. Its a pleasure to greet friends during the holiday season! BEST WISHES! John R. Frazier, Inc. DEALER IN FOREST PRODUCTS P. O. Box 401 Newberry, S. C.