University of South Carolina Libraries
SEC. A — PAGE 4—The Newberry Sun, Newberry, S. C, Thursday, December 20, 1967 16th Century It’s very possible that many people have been un der the impression that the evergreen tree has been a symbol of Christmas since the beginning of the Chris tian era. Nothing could be further from the truth. As a matter of fact it was not until the 16th Century that the use of evergreens was sanc tioned by the church. The first evergreen tree as used at Christmas such as we know it, was first in troduced in Strasbourg, Germany; history indicat ing the date at' 1604, and had been used traditionally at the holiday season in this country for centuries. Marks Birth Of Christinas Tree England saw its first Christmas tree as a result of a marital alliance in the Victorian era. It seems that when the Queen married the German Prince Albert, he brought the Christmas tree custom with him, and there it has stayed ever since. When the world was young, the story goes, the use of evergreen boughs for indoor decorations were used during celebrations by the Druids; the use of the green boughs and trees symbolizing the ever-green, ever-growing spirit of Na ture, with due reverence and homage paid to the idea. Since the advent of the traditional tree, candles and ornaments represent the new birth and bloom of growing things. As for the “red” of the holly berries, it is indicated that there is no historical significance for this choice of color, it just being handy from the Holly leaves. Ac tually, white is the authen tic Christmas color accord ing to the precepts of the church. YEAR-ROUND It’s Christmas the year round for Ernest Theuer and the whole world is toy land. Theuer, a buyer for F A Q. Schwartz, spends his time searching for whimsical, in genious and extraordinary toys. He finds them in Switzerland, in Bavaria, where toy-making is a year-round family enterprise, in Japan where families paint min iature tea sets in their homes. KIDS & CUSTOMS While American children are putting their gifts beneath the tree, Slavic youngsters go to sleep on a bed of straw and hay on Christmas Eve, to share in Christ’s humble birth. A special treat for kids of some generations ago might be the privilege of a ride on the Yule Log as it was dragged into the manor or castle. A favorite game was Snap- dragon--in which players tried to ferent people over the ages. Color has been used as the symbol of abstract ideas from time immemorial. Cireen was a sacred color among the ancient and medi eval Egyptians who wore it as a symbol of hope and the joy of spring. In early and medieval Christian art, colors had a mystic or symbolic meaning. Red indicated passion. In its one and all! TOTS TO TEENS MAIN STREET NPWBERRY, S. C. He may turn up anywhere, and everywhere he finds unusual and interesting toys. snatch a raisin from a bowl of burning spices and spirits. CRANBERRY SPOES The spots you see before your eyes could be caused by cran berry spills on your tablecloth or carpet. Immediate attention is recommended. Remove excess, rub the spot with ice cube, then wash at once. The traditional colors of the Christmas season are red and* green. 'These colors have meant different things to dif- TO OUR FRIENDS May your Christmas be merry, gay, and bright as the twinkling baubles that bedeck your tree! BISHOP'S SKATING ARENA E. Main Street Ext. Phone 276-9249 Newberry, S. C. To all our friends and many patrons... We wish the very best during the coming year! CLARENCE T. SUMMER, Incorporated 1207 BOYCE STREET NEWBERRY, SOUTH CAROLINA