Newspaper Page Text
Page 2
—The Pembroke Journal, Thursday, December 21, 1967
4 Legends,
lived for
Centuries
curing the Middle Ages
in Europe, legends sur
rounding the birth of Christ
circulated from family to
family and from generation
to generation. Here are 4 of
these legends:
the Stork $ $
On Christ’s Birthday even
the birds and animals felt
the wonder of it, and knelt
down to pray. The ox, the
badger, all manner of wild
and domestic beast, includ-
-iwW -■ W
X*©WBM I / ‘T. ;
SHMK Im MOI ■; # '
ML w// -■ v'
I ^sSS^Hn/tB • v® \
>■* n«K ; J <; f
I j >" '
4 SZvl ! / ivk
BMnnl ft 2* 1 4
MF I nifr 4 .F '7S #/ 7*/ . / i
JLlife'wiii^ yr HL vf* Vj
Mm
Io hi s=S
' U
^/////^ //': a lowly manger, hewn from the rocky hillside of Bethlehem,
7y/r fd // Chdd was born . . . and herald angels sang. 7 o the manger came
fl/r ///' humble shepherds, in wonder and rejoicing. Three Wise Men jour-
'' /fjf / /// Ue ^ I lo ™ the EaSt ' ^ e ‘ arm ^ P recious ^f ts < ^nd over all shone the
yh/r// miraculous light of a Star. In the words of the Christmas story, that
/ y ////'' light lives and shines across the ages, bringing hope and prom-
/'/ to all mankind. May the spiritual joys of the season bless you
/ and yoms, abundantly on this Christmas Day and forevermore
/ • 1
FORD DEALER - SHUMAN MOTOR CO., Inc.
JACK W. SHUMAN PHONE 653-4922, PEMBROKE, GEORGIA BOBBY PURCELL, Manager
ing the long-legged stork,
flocked ’round where the
baby Jesus lay. The stork,
seeing how mean His bed,
plucked the soft down from
her breast, pulled plumes
for Him to cushion His head.
Ever since then, the no
ble stork has been patron of
babies of every land.
the Rosemary
When Mary and Joseph
fled with the infant Jesus
into Egypt, the flowers
showed their love by blos
soming wherever the little
caravan went.
Everywhere, the air was
filled with heavenly frag
rances . . . from the lilac,
from many flowers and
plants. Even the serene lily
spread wide her cup of
gratitude.
Only the green rosemary,
petal-less, could not con
tribute to the poetry of col
or and sweet or spicy scent
The rosemary grieved.
As Mary paused to rest,
she decided to wash His lit
tle garments and hang them
to dry, for the journey to
morrow. But where to hang
them ? The fragile lily broke
. . . the proud lilac was out
of reach. So on the sturdy
branches of the rosemary
she hung the raiment to
the sun.
“I thank you, gentle Rose
mary,” said the Mother of
Jesus . . . “henceforth you
shall bear blue flowers for
remembrance of my blue
cloak. And, where His cloth
ing touched you, all shall be
fragrantly aromatic.” And
so she blessed leaf, stem and
flower of the modest rose
mary.
the Robin
When Christ was born in
the manger, He had few
comforts in the rude stable,
assailed by cruel winds. His
Mother pleaded with the
oxen and the donkeys, and
even the cart-horse to
breathe on the listless
embers and bring some
warmth from them.
But all dozed and dreamed,
not hearing the frail Marv.
Suddenly into the stable
flew a brown bird. Making a
bellows of his wings he
puffed up his feathers and
made forays into the slum
bering fires, stirring them
to a rousing flame, all the
while risking his little body
for his Lord’s comfort.
Even though the flames
seared him, the bird, now
red-breasted, sang loud and
cheerfully.
Soon all the stable was ‘
comforting and warm . . .
and softly slept the Christ-
Child.
“Master Robin,” said ;
Mary, “wear now a breast
of red, a blessed stain on
your heart, that all may see ;
the symbol of your love.” '
the Birthday
On Christmas Eve, some
say, certain fortunate little
children are gathered up by
angels to visit the Christ
child in Paradise.
It is said they have such
a pandemonium of fun, Hea
ven is rent with their laugh
ter.
They toss gold balls, climb
the ever-beautiful trees,
reach forth to touch the
stars, join Him in a celestial
chorus of sweet young
voices.
Then, drowsing upon their
angels’ stalwart shoulders,
they are borne earthward
through the night, and by
angels tucked tenderly into
their little beds at home.
On Christmas Day and
later, when they try to tell
about the journey and the
Birthday party, they can
not form the words, and fall
silent in happy remem
brance. Parents look at each
other questioningly, and
smiling, go about their ways
thinking their child is lost
in a fanciful dream.
Yet, how blessed are these
little ones who with their
own eyes have seen the daz
zle of Heaven and carry
through all their lives the
erj' magic of Christmas.
Legends of
Many Lands
Many of our most famous
Christmas legends have
been passed down from gen
eration to generation. Yet
there are others which are
practiced only in certain
countries. Some of these are
so charming that it is a
shame that we Americans
have not adopted them.
The young women of nor
thern England continue to
preserve a legend concern
ing Christmas holly. Many
।a girl still believes that if
Rshe places a piece of holly
g under her pillow during the
^observance of Christmas,
Sher chances for obtaining
I her “prince” are assured. No
■ doubt this practice has its
■ points . . .
■ In Switzerland the un
| married romantic couples
5 have a similar belief. Should
S a Swiss miss meet a young
I lover who offers her a sprig
■of the mountain flower,
| edelweiss, she’s engaged.
* There is nothing, though, in
I the legend about what hap
| pens if the young lady
| would offer a gentleman a
| sprig.
f Although many believe
| that Ireland is a little bit of
I heaven, the Irish have a
I charming Christmas belief.
| If one should die on Christ
| mas day, so they believe, he
• goe^ straight to Heaven.
I The doors to Paradise are
I open for such fortunates,
t and Purgatory is complete
: ly bypassed.
I There is also a legend in
| the Emerald Isle concerning
1 the burning of the Christ
[ mas candle. In ancient days
| and today a candle is left
t burning in the window on
[ Christmas. For as they say
I in Ireland, “Who knows, on
f some Christmas Eve, Jesus,
| Mary and Joseph may come
| again; not to Palestine, but
[ to the Emerald Isle.” This
[ candle, burning in the win
t dow. just may light the way
। for Mary and Joseph who
I might be looking for shel
[ ter.
I Although the Irish have
[ always been said to have the
[ “gift of gab,” it is the
| French peasants of the re
: gions who believe that all
I babies born on Christmas
/rn* vi। 1
if W iSi ,
' <> '' >• ' ' ^AA ^yv’/
v \ ~ <
J --4 LJ® , " ir~ ~ । —■
Al -'J®! F r I W
1 Aw >
M
h4v -a i aj t s -
" X \ '• ’
'
-pyr
With sincere gratitude for the warm frienaships which
we have enjoyed, we extend greetings of the season to all of you,
whose good will and loyalty we count among our most cherished
possessions. May the holidays find you in hearty good
health, surrounded by devoted family and friends.
Purcell Insurance Agency
United state fidelity & guaranty co.
•» rWj*jr*«n«jy ma «i
MEKRV CHRISTMAS —FIRST SECTION
Eve will have a ready and
facile tongue.
☆ ☆ ☆
Toasting the Holiday
As today’s punch or eggnog
bowl attests, favorite bever
ages and friendly toasts go
along with the good cheer and
good feasting of the holiday.
It all began with the English
“wassail” bow’l. The wassail, a
holiday beverage of medieval
times, was served hot in a large
bowl, and it was compounded
of ale, apples, eggs, sugar and ,
spices.
The name comes from “Was
Haile,” a Saxon greeting which
means, “Your health.” Gradu
ally, the word “wassailing” be
gan to mean any kind of
Christmas revelry accompa
nied by a festive beverage.
I RIGHT ON 11
| SCHEDULE | j
Eg ;
everyone! May your holidays WK
By be joyful... May Santa Claus A
be extra good to you this ^3
MARCUS HODGES
I
Baking the Pie f
“The devil dares not show
himself in Cornwall at
Christmas time lest he
should be baked in a pie.”
This old English saying
takes its humorous inspir
ation from the wide variety
of ingredients actually used
in the mince pies and other
Christmas pies of early
England, according to the
editors of The New Book of
Knowledge.
One 14th-century recipe
for a Christmas pie includ
. ed: a pheasant, a hare, a
capon, two partridges, two
pigeons, two rabbits, beef
meat balls, eggs, pickled
mushrooms, seasonings and
spices, all in a pastry crust.
FERRY CHRISTMAS