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From the Editors of Funk & Wagnails New Encyclopedia
Christmas legends ’round the world
The custom of kissing under the mistletoe has its
origin in an old Scandinavian myth about Freya, the
goddess of love and beauty.
* * *
Mistletoe was once considered a healing herb; and
wearing it hung around the neck was believed to ward
off disease.
* * *
December the winter solstice has always been
a festive time. In ancient Rome, December 17 marked
the start of the week-long Saturnalia, a time of fes
tivities in which people gave presents, lighted candles,
and adorned their houses with greens.
* * *
The Twelve Days of Christmas are a carry-over from
Roman times: the festivities of the Saturnalia were
followed by Twelve Holy Days, which ended on January
1, called the Calends of January.
♦ * *
In Spain, tradition has it that children’s gifts are
left by the Wise Men, passing through on their way to
Bethlehem. Youngsters leave their shoes on Ihe.windnw
Letters To
Santa Claus
Dear Santa Claus,
My name is Edith Cook. I
am in the first grade. I have
been good this year. For
Christmas I would like Don’t
Cry Baby.
Love, Edith Cook
Dear Santa Claus,
My name is Iris. I am in the
first grade. I have been good
this year. For Christmas I
would like Baby That-Away.
Love, Iris Grant
Dear Santa Claus,
My name is Michael. I am
in the first grade. I have been
good this year. For Christ
mas I would like a yo-yo, a
jeep and a Bionic Man.
Love, Michael James
Dear Santa Claus,
My name is Tonya. I am in
the first grade. I have been
good this year. For Christ
mas I would like a yo-yo and
a bike.
Love, Tonya Rutledge
Dear Santa Claus,
Merry Christmas. I want a
bicycle for Christmas and
some clothes and a watch to
play with and a coat for me to
wear. Sincerely.
Carol Ann Jackson
Dear Santa Claus,
I want a bicycle, some
clothes, a camera and a
watch. We have hung up our
stockings. I love you Santa
Claus.
Linda Sims
Dear Santa Claus,
I want a camera for
Christmas and some clothes.
I have been singing Christ
mas songs and I am going to
be a puppet. I love you Santa.
Regina Walker
Dear Santa Claus,
I would like a bicycle. I
would like to have my picture
taken with you.
Clarence Jackson
Dear Santa Claus,
Please bring me a bicycle
and a drum. Bring me some
fruit and apples. I want some
clothes and some toys. I want
a watch and some shoes. I
love you Santa.
Jessi James Head
Dear Santa Claus,
I want a baby alive and a
piano. I will give you some
. cake. I love you.
Emma Walker
Dear Santa Claus,
Give me some clothes, and
a bicycle. Do you have a
truck with you? Santa, I love
you.
Sincerely, Robert Hodges
TODAY •• ANSWKR
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iMEipIANCE
R I OTiBMORT AR
UN I~MT|ONaEL I
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SA ay love and happiness decorate your holiday
and everyone around your tree share the special joy
that only Christmas brings! At this festive season we reach out
to greet the friends who mean so much to us
all year through. Thanks for being part of our lives.
IVterry, iVlerry Christmas!
HHI PI
CHEVROLET
bob long Chevrolet, Inc.
THE JACKSON PROCRESS-ARGUS. JACKSON, GEORGIA
sills, filled with straw for the Magi’s horses; next morn
ing, the straw has been replaced with toys and sweets.
* * *
In Ireland, the church candles lighted at Christmas
may be snuffed only by someone whose name is Mary.
* * *
Children in Holland and Belgium get their Christmas
gifts on December 6, which is St. Nicholas Day.
* * *
Decorations of greenery at Christmas were forbidden
by the early church fathers, because of its association
with Roman customs. It wasn’t until the 16th century
that greenery began to be used.
* * *
The Christmas tree came to England when Queen
Victoria married Prince Albert. The Prince brought the
custom with him from his native Germany.
* * *
Christmas carols were banned by the Puritans in 17th
century England. But for 200 years, many carols were
kept alive by country people, and finally rediscovered
in the 19th century.
THURSDAY. DECEMBER 23, 1979
French peasants believe that daughters born on De
cember 25 will be wise, witty and virtuous.
Our idea of Santa Claus the jolly fat man in the
red, ermine-trimmed suit comes from the same
source as the GOP elephant and the Democrats’ don
key: the pen of the famous 19th century American
cartoonist, Thomas Nast.
...
Polish children receive their gifts not from Santa
but from Mother Star, who wears a long white dress
and veil, and her companion, Father Star.
* * *
In Italy, children’s gifts are supposed to come from
La Befana, an old woman of legend. The children hang
their clothes in a conspicuous place on Epiphany Eve,
and the next morning find their pockets filled with
goodies.
* * *
In 1644 under Oliver Cromwell’s regime, the observ
ance of Christmas was forbidden by an act of Parlia
ment.
...
The Pennsylvania Dutch name for Santa Claus is
Pelznickel.
A*, 0.
CITIZEN S CORNER**
y£] HFIPFUL IDEAS FOR SUCCESSFUL RETIREMENT TANARUS&
Smoking Tips
Careless use of smoking
materials is among the ma
jor causes of fires. Follow
these suggestions to reduce
smoking-related fires:
—Never smoke in bed.
—Keep plenty of large,
deep ashtrays on hand.
—Empty ashtrays reg
ularly into covered metal
containers, especially before
retiring for the evening.
—Break matches in half
after use, and then properly
dispose of them.
—Never discard smol
dering butts into wastebas
kets.
—Use your ashtray when
driving.
—Keep smoking materials
and matches out of the reach
of children.
For extra protection, ear
ly-waming smoke and heat
detection systems are avail
able to alert a family to the
presence of a fire in the
home. Because about 60 per
cent of all fatal household
fires occur between 10 p.m.
and 6 am., these alert
systems are particularly im
portant during the usual
sleeping hours.
Early-warning systems do
not eliminate the need for a
well-rehearsed family es
cape plan. Be sure to have
an alternate escape route
from each room, especially
the bedrooms.
Letters To
Santa Claus
Dear Santa,
lam 2 1/2 years old and I
have tried very hard to be a
good girl this year. Please
bring me a talking Bugs
Bunny, a table and chairs, a
baby doll, a toy box, and
some surprises. Please don’t
forget my cousins, Rissi and
Katy Gilbert, in Fort Worth,
Texas. Thank you very
much.
I love you, Paula Nail
Dear Santa, Claus,
My name is Marie. I am in
the first grade. I have been
good this year. For Christ
mas I would like a bike.
Love, Marie
THE HOLLY and THE IVY
The Holly and the Ivy,
When they are both fully
grown
Of all the trees are in the wood,
The Holly bears the crown.
0 the rising of the sun,
And the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing of the choir.
The Holly bears a blossom
As white as any flower;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus
Christ
To be our sweet Saviour.
The Holly bears a berry
As red as any blood;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus
Christ
To do poor sinners good.
The Holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus
Christ
On Christmas in the morn.
The Holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus
Christ
For to redeem us all.
The Holly and the Ivy
Now both are full well grown:
Of all the trees are in the wood
The Holly bears the crown.
New touches
bring color to
Christmas table
Every day can be a holi
day through the Christmas
season. A little imagination
goes a long way in keeping
your family full of that
festive spirit . . .
Sprinkle a touch of can
died fruit into hot oatmeal
for a breakfast treat.
Give your favorite fruit
salad that holiday look with
a sprinkle of pomegranate
seeds.
Cut bells from slices of
canned cranberry sauce
when serving.
Candy canes make flavor
ful stirrers in cups of hot
cocoa or tea.
Year-round favorite cas
seroles have a holiday look
topped with a cheese star.
Place a waxed paper sten
cil of a Christmas tree over
a bowl of potatoes or rice
. . . sprinkle with chopped
parsley . . . remove stencil.
Pimento poinsettias make
colorful garnishes on any
one of many dishes or bor
dering a filled platter.
Addressing a long list of
Christmas cards can really
be fun! Gather the family
around the table and keep
them happily at work with
cookies and hot fruit punch!
Ever try pancakes poured
onto the griddle in Christ
mas tree shapes? It takes a
steady hand and concentra
tion, but think how they’ll
delight your family.