The sun. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1937-1972, December 21, 1972, Image 42
SEC. I), PAGE 12-The Newberry Sun, Newberry, S. C, Thursday, December 21,1972
They Still Speak
Aramaic, The
Lanttua^e of Jesus
In the village of Ma’lula
in Syria where the houses
of heavy native stone are
tinted blue, one would hard
ly notice the passage of time
since the birth of Christ,
over 2000 years ago. The
people have changed little,
in dress and habits, and
more importantly in their
speech. For it is here in
Ma'lula. as well as in two
other villages in Syria, Jeb-
adeen and Bakhaa, that
one can hear the Aramaic
language Christ used dur
ing His life on earth.
Aramaic was spoken
throughout ancient Pales
tine. and the lands that are
now Jordan. Lebanon, Syria,
southern Turkey, and north
ern Iraq. But after the Arab
conquest of these lands in
the seventh century. Ara
maic was gradually replaced
by Arabic. In Syria, only
those three villages, all in
the Qalamon valley not far
from Damascus, have pre
served the ancient language
of Christ to the present day.
The population numbers
only a few thousand, two-
fifths of them Greek Or
thodox. another two-fifths
Greek, and the rest Moslem.
Philologists of the Uni
versity of Beirut tell us that
while the Aramaic dialect
of these three villages has
been intermixed with Ara
bic, the villagers would have
understood, and been un
derstood by. Christ and the
people of His time.
Naturally, the people of
Ma’lula are very proud of
their Aramaic language and
take pains to keep it alive
and flourishing. Many fam
ilies speak only Aramaic to
their children until the
youngsters are five years
old and must go to school,
where they learn Arabic,
the national language.
Outside Syria, Aramaic is
spoken at Urmia, in Turkey
... by the Chaldean Catho
lics of Bartelle in northern
Iraq ... and by the villagers
of Malabar in southwestern
India. And Aramaic is still
used in the liturgy of cer
tain churches which began
in the Middle East, such as
the Marionites and Syrian
Orthodox groups.
Many New Year
Feasting
Customs
Our ancestors believed that a
Hood meal on the first day of the
New Year would assure that
there would be plenty in the days
ahead Feasting is as important
in observing the New Year as the
offering of a proper toast.
In the United States, turkey is
somewhat traditional, such as at
Christmas. In some sections, ham
is a must In portions of the
south, black-eyed peas are essen
tial regardless of the entree.
Ologg is as important to the
Swedes as food for part of the
holiday fare. This traditional
drink is made with claret wine,
sweetened with sugar and flavor
ed with almonds, raisins, dried
orange peel, cinnamon, cloves
and cardamon. It is usually set to
(laming before serving.
In Scotland. New Year’s Eve
is referred to as “Hogmany”.
Scottish children Hood the streets
shouting “Hogmany”. expecting
cakes and fruits from neighbors
just as American children do at
Halloween.
The Spanish treat is “sopa” •
which is rice cooked with olive
oil, tomatoes, vegetables and
meat particles
Know What
“Wassail” Means?
This ancient word, famil
iar to us from song and
story, comes from the An
glo-Saxon words “Wes hal”
— which means “be whole,”
or in more modern terms,
"Good Health.” It was used
as a toast, before lifting
one’s glass — and by exten
sion came to mean a drink
ing song.
Mat* qou enjoq a Merrq Christmas.
HENRY’S BARBER SHOP
1509 Main Street Newberry, S. C.
A/e ’re singing out our warmest wishes
to you for a Holiday richly reward
ing in good cheer and happiness.
AL RABIN’S SHOES
1304 Main St. Newberry. S. C.
FORD
MERCURY
Old-fashioned ways have a special
meaning at Christmas. And, in this old-time
spirit, ever-new, we wish you and your
family the happiest holiday. Merry Christmas!
SHEALY MOTOR COMPANY
BY-PASS 76 PHONE 276-0412
, NEWBERRY, SOUTH CAROLINA