University of South Carolina Libraries
The Newberry Sun, Newberry, S. C. Dec. 26th, 1968—PAGE 11—SEC. C hvl When Santa Kurosu (Japanese for Santa Claus) opens his bag on Christmas Eve., a strange smell may fill the air— for some Japanese villagers consider it extremely good luck to give fish as Christmas presents! In Spain, gifts are exchanged on January 6th in honor of Epithany, to celebrate the arrival of the Three Wise Men at Bethlehem. Adults in France exchange gifts on New Year’s Day, but the impatient young fry are visited by Fere Noel on. Christmas Eve just like their American cousins. The German child finds candy and nuts in his stocking, or a potato. . .depending upon his "report” to Santa. Italian children put out their shoes to eagerly await pres ents from a female version of Santa Claus called La Befana who, riding a broomstick, brings gifts to good children . . .and ashes to bad ones. While waiting for Befana, who comes on Jan. 6th Italian child ren and their elders draw small gifts on Christmas Eve from a jar called the "urn of fate”. In Sweden, the feast of St. Lucia on December 13th ushers in the Christmas season. Each community chooses a lovely Lucia Queen to represent the young girl martyred for her religion centuries before in an cient Rome. The chosen Queen is feted and entertained royal ly. In families with daughters, throughout Sweden, the pret tiest is traditionally chosen as Lucia. Her "gift” is to wait on everyone else for the day. The systematic British long ago established December 26th as "Boxing Day”—on this pugilistic sounding occassion, servants and tradespeople all over England are given boxes of money in token appreciation for their services. "Christmas isn’t Christmas without presents” said a con cerned Amy in the classic "Little Women” and tradition bears her statement out. What ever the amount spent, what ever the present, Americans cer tainly agree with Amy’s sent iments. Studies show that 27 billion dollars were spent on Christmas presents in a re cent year. ANCIENT ROMANS Ancient Romans rang in the New Year much like Americans today. All work stopped, schools closed; courts handed down no sentences; revelers gambeled in masquerade; and gifts such as waxen fruit, can dles and dolls were exchanged. AN ANCIENT CUSTOM The use of greenery at Christmas grew out of an an cient Greek and Roman cus- ton . Holly, for example, was a favorite decoration of the Romans, who made lavish use of green boughs and garlands to honor Saturn, their god of Agriculture. The City Barber Shop 1416 MAIN STREET NEWBERRY SEASONS GREETINGS One of our most recent cus toms, the exchanging of Christ mas cards, began in England in the 1840’s. Christmas cards were first introduced in the United States by Louis Prang, a German immigrant who set tled in Roxbury, Massachu setts. He was often called the "Father of the American Christ mas card,” and printed his first "Seasons Greetings" in 1873. Christmas caroling is al most as old as Christmas itself. An early historian wrote that in the Second Century the bis hop of Rome urged his people to sing "in celebration of our Lord". Christmas hymns go back to the Fifth Century, when most of them were written in Latin. St. Francis of Assis is re garded as the father of carol ing as known today. In 1223, St. Francis placed a creche (miniature Nativity scene), in a hermitage in Grecchio, Italy. After this many churches be gan displaying a Nativity scene at Christmas, and soon the people began acting out the Christmas story. The actors composed carols to sing with their Nativity plays and after the plays they would stroll down the street, singing. In that way; street caroling began. So if you should go caroling this Christmas season, think of other carolers of years gone bu, of the people of Charles Dick ens’ time in their beaver hats cut away coats, of English vil lagers in hose and jerkin, of good St. Francis, and of the priests of the time of the Christ ian Roman Empire who, be fore caroling as we know it existed, sang "in celebration of our Lord* GARDNER INSURANCE ACENCY There’s something on the tree for you . . . It’s the best wishes of the season from all of us . . . and our gratitude for your past friendship and courtesies. - A MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL ED YOUNG BUICK CO. 2S00 COLLEGE STREET NEWBERRY, SOUTH CAROUNA