University of South Carolina Libraries
SEC. C—PAGE 10—The Newberry Sun, Newberry, S. C. Dec. 26th, 1968 Christmas in medieval Eng land was called Christes Masse, then Chirst’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 Noel by the French, Nat- ale by the Italians, Weihnacht by the Germans, and Yulen Jul by the Scandinavians. Most scholars agree that Dec. 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.D. 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 DIPPING CUSTOM Long ago, families wel corned the New Year by obser ving the "dipping Custom”. With eyes closed, the head of the family would open the Bible and indicate a passage with his finger. The text, read and interpreted by the family, was indicative of the luck, good or bad, that was in store during the year ahead. who were two years old and younger. The first Christmas may have been as early aa 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 ol 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 ol 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. LIKE THE FOURTH Observance of the New Year in China may be compared to our own Fourth of July, Christ mas and Thanksgiving rolled into one. To the accompani ment of exploding firecrackers, everyone feasts, gives presents and cards and make ceremon ial visits to relatives and friends. Also, all family debts are paid. Mistletoe goes far back in to history. The Druids called it "all heal” and believed that it had miraculous powers to cure disease and counteract poisons. According to infor mation provided by research ers, the Druids found kissing under the mistletoe great sport, but believed it wasn’t proper unless the sprig had been cut with a golden knife. Custom also demanded that one of the berries on the mistletoe be re moved each time someone kis sed beneath it An ancient Norse myth tells how the mistletoe got its ber ries. Balder, the God of light, couldn’t be hurt by anything that grew on—or under—the earth. But his enemy, the evil god of Loki, found that mist letoe grew neither on earth nor under it, but on a tree! So he had Balder slain with a spear tipped with mistletoe. Balder was mourned by all creatures in heaven and on earth, including Freyja, the goddess of love. The tears she shed, according to the leg end, became the pearly berries of the plant, and it is said that this is the reason that mis tletoe symbolizes love. RASPBERRY-PEACH COMPOTE 2 pkgs. frozen raspberries, thawed 8 peach halves, drained 3 egg whites 6 tablespoons sugar Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry. Gradually beat in sugar until smooth and glos sy. Place peaches, cut side up, in shallow baking dish; top each with a spoonful of mer ingue. Bake at 450 degrees for 5 minutes. Place raspberries in serving dish; remove peaches carefully from dish and float on raspberries. Christmas Greetings With genuine appreciation to our customers for their generous consideration, we take this opportunity to extend the season’s greetings and good wishes to you and yours for holiday joy and happiness. M. M. MOSELEY DAIRY SUPPUES To our host of friends and neighbors, we extend our very best wishes for a most joyous holiday, and offer our deep appreciation for your continued loyalty and good will. 916 Harrington St. Phones 276-4901 & 276-5802