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The Newberry Sun, Newberry, S. C., Thursday, December 22, 1966 SEC. B—PAGE 11 No Evergreen Trim Found in Finland The homes and churches of Finland never use evergreens as trim or decoration, because they regard them as symbols of mourning. The homes, at Christmas time, suspend what is called a "heaven" from the living room ceiling. Their "heavens" con sist of a cord framework cov ered with straw and different colors of paper and ribbon. Then it is covered with paper stars and silhouttes cut in var ious designs. The effect, when reflecting the firelight and the candles glow, is mysterious and fascinating. In the churches candles are used profusely; the altars are banked and the windows are filled with them. Before dawn on Christmas morning, churches beckon approaching visitors with this effect, like bril liant lanterns. YULETIDE OPERA . . . Among television highlights of the Christmas season is presentation of Gian Carlo Menotti’s Yuletide opera, "Amahl and the Night Visitors.” Singers in the classic presentation of the two past holiday seasons include, left to right. Kurt Yaghjian as Amahl, Martha King as the mother, and John McCollum, Richard Cross and Willis Pat terson as the Three Kings. NAMING CHRISTMAS Christmas means both prayerful worship and fes tive merry-making. The holy meaning of the day is expressed in its name. The Latin name for Christmas translates as the Feast or Birthday of Our Lord. The English Christ mas means the Mass of Christ, a meaning which is closely paralleled by the Dutch "Kermis”. In Ger many it’s "Weihnacht”, or sacred night. SAINT NICK Good OR BAD ? ' if' Denmark Custom A Danish Christmas custom is the "Jul-bock”. This is along pole wdth a goat’s head, whose duty it is to butt in when child- dren misbehave. Witches At Christmas One of the most popular symbols of the Christmas holidays, candy canes, be gan with an old superstition during the Middle Ages. Eu ropeans of that period car ries glass canes filled with colored candies to distract witches. They believed that the witches became so interested in sorting the candies that casting of evil spells was forgotten. Plan Your Spending Do not engage in excessive spending — it will be a happier Christmas for you. Plan your gift-buying well within your in come. ©SCW.INC \%e’ve enjoyed serving you..hope to serve you again! Black's Radio & TV 1409 Main Street Phone 276-3794 \ ^ In December cccry near par ents are faced irith the problem of what to do or what to say about Santa Claus. Some of our educators say that the San ta theory is all wrong and some of todays "modern " p a re n ts seem to agree. Is the Saint Xick idea good or bad for children? We say it is good and that no child, av erage or brilliant, ever suffered from the grand illusion. Chil dren know there is a Santa Claus and they accept the fact that he gradually changes from the Santa of fiction to the Santa of reality. Santa is good for small chil dren, for children have imagi- nati e minds. The fact they mig/it see a Santa on every corner matters little. In their eyes Santa is a symbol, a mys tery, and in h is wonderous magic is apt to appear any where. It is not the end of the world when the time comes that some older child shatters the illusion by telling all. This is the per fect opportunity for the parent to explain that Santa is, after all. a spirit of ('hristmas. He represents the spirit of giving and the reason that we give at Christmas time is because this is the day on which Jesus was born. Jesus taught us love and faith and hope and Santa is a figurative being who helps us understand and use that teach ing. The Beginning Christmas began nearly 2000 years ago when Christ was born in a stable in a small Jewish town. Few people knew about it at the time, and, of those who did, only a handful realized that something stupendous had happened. Yet w hat occurred then changed the whole his tory of the world, and it is that event, which gives a meaning to Christmas now. GATHER PINE CONES Pine cones are quite popular for indoor Christmas decora tions. Gathering and preparing cones for the holiday season can be fun, and they are usual ly plentiful outdoors during the Christmas season. Clean the cones and spray them when they are dry. A shel lac spray preserves the cones and keeps them looking bright. « ' • # 'X 1 4tl! Ijjlll n STATUE The Presepio, or crib, is as characteristic of Christmas in Italy as is the tree in other countries. People bring gifts of nuts and apples to the Presepio, which they place in the hands of life-sized figures. s on that first Christmas Eve, may the splendor of the Star radiate its blessings, filling our hearts with peace. Baker & Buddin Ins. Agency K. IL Raker Mrs. Ada F. Hawkins 1111 (’a Id well Street R. A. Ruddin Mrs. Helen I). Darby Rhone 276 :1764 NFVVREKRY, S. (’. JOLLY GOOD WISHES/ ©»CW.INC. In the friendly spirit of the Christmas Season, we wish you all an old-fashioned Yuletime just packed with cheer and happiness. Merry Christmas to you all! DENNIS SHOE & SPORT SHOP 7708 MA/N STREET Phone 276-0342 Newberry, S. C.