The sun. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1937-1972, December 26, 1968, Image 43
The Newberry Sun, Newberry, S. C. Dec. 26th, 1968—PAGE 11—SEC. C
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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