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HOUSTON HOME JOURNAL
VOL. LX1V. No. 12
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“Come, Let Us Adore Him,”
Happy Christmas Thought
f | 'HERE is a magical pause, a mys-
ttrious something in the air, an
awakening of man’s best and sweetest i
instincts as the Yuletide carols ring out
the hallowed words: “Peace on earth,
good will toward men.” A pause when
even the most sullen, forbidding, hard- J
hearted person feels an ui^e of the
soul within him, to join in the merry
festival of Christmas.
Then, too, there is magic in red holly
berries, gray green branches of be
witching mistletoe, and the perfume of
woody evergreens, melting wax and
the burning fog. How mysteriously
they recall sweet thoughts of long ago
to tiie elders! How they till the hearts
of playful children with joyous de
light !
Christmas is the signiiicance of child
hood, for almost two thousand years
ago the Christ Child brought the re
deeming message of love to the world.
I-ove that keeps the little flame of
hope burning; love that gives patience
and courage to endure the problems
of life; love that prompts the giving
•and receiving of gifts.
When Wise Men of the East, men of
profound learni-g. saw a brilliant stai
and followed it, they found this little
messenger of love in his rude and hum
ble resting place, and they laid their
most precious gifts before him.
These gifts wore highly symbolical.
Gold to a King, the King of Love and
Humanity. Frankincense to a Divin
ity. tiie God of human needs. Myrrh
for a man, and for tiie sorrow (hat re
deems. Thus they recognized in a
little Child, tiie King, tiie Divine and
the Man.
As we commemorate Christ's birth
•each Yuletide, there is a radiant
warmth and spirit of love in the giv
ing and receiving of gifts; we pay
homage and reverence to our King, our
God and our Redeemer.—Agnes Myers
© Western Newspaper Union
PERKY, HOUSTON COUNTY GA., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1935
ESTABLISHED 1870
Why Christmas Day Comes
on the 25th of December
PHRlSj'JiAS, which seems to have
v - > been first oflicially instituted a
church feast day by a decree of Pope
Telesphorus, between 1-1” A. D. and
l-i-l A. I)., was a movable feast. In
deed, it was the most movable of all
the Christian festivals. It was usually
celebrated h.v tiie eastern branches of
tiie Christian church in April or May,
while in tiie western part of Europe
dn.\s in January or other months were
observed ns Christmas.
in A. D. d,!7 St. Cyril, bishop of
Jerusalem, obtained from Pope Julius I
authority to appoint a commission to
determine, if possible, tiie precise day
of Christ’s nativity. From tiie chrono
logical archives of the Roman censors,
establishing tiie times of occurrence
of certain events of the same period of
Hie Roman government of Palestine,
the theologians of tiie eastern and
western divisions of the Christian
church agreed upon December 25 as
the date of the birth of Jesus, and
thereupon this became the oflicially
decreed and generally accepted Christ
mas day.
Martha Found a Way to
Raise Christmas Funds
IIRISTMAS was drawing nearer
and nearer, hut Martha Woods
seemed no nearer a solution of her
problem. The giving of gifts at the
Yuletide season had been a tradition
with Martha as long as she could re
member. This year, however, she saw
no way to keep up tiie cherished cus
tom.
During tiie past months her income
liad shriveled to where it would buy
only the necessities for herself and
Emma, her faithful servant. Through
no scrimping or saving could even the
tiniest gifts lie sent to those whom she
wished to remember.
Now. ns she watched tiie whirling
flakes of snow, she thought how love
ly it would be to see tiie big room full
of gaily tied packages, waiting to lie
sent on their various ways. Regret
fully she pictured tiie disappointment
of relatives and friends who would
think she had forgotten; they would
never dream she had grown too poor
to buy Christmas gifts; they all be
lieved her wealthy.
With a heavy sigh she looked around
the beautiful living room. The furnish
ings were luxurious; many of them
had been in tiie family for genera- i
tions. . . . Suddenly a cry came from j
her lips. She had thought of a quick, i
sure way to fulfill her desires. She |
would sell a few of the lovely old I
pieces. She would send for the propri- j
•etor of tiie antique shop without a j
moment’s delay! Her Christmas gifts
would he on their way tomorrow!—
Katherine Edelman.
Use of Christmas Candles
The custom of using Christmas can
dles was introduced into rials country
ifrom Europe. In Scandinavia, particu
larly, It is usual to place candles in
the windows on Christmas eve to light
Kristine, who brings the gifts. Bay-
berry candles are particularly appro
priate because they are green, aromatic
and an emblem of triumph.
Ruins of Ancient Lake Seen
The ancient legend that tiie city ot
Sanyang was buried under the water
of Taihu lake hundreds or even thou
sands of years ago seems to be con
firmed by Chinese fishermen who sa>
the ruins ot tiie ancient city can easily
be seen from tiie surface of tiie lake.
An Hair-or
Doctor—You're in pretty bad shape
Tou ought to rest, take tilings easy
not do any head work.
Ratient—That’s bad, Doc. I’m a
bat her.
MANY TYPES CF HOLLY
LI OLLY, so popular as a Christ-
-*• mas decoration, is most abun
dant along the bottom lands of
eastern Texas and southern Arkan
sas. There are about 175 species
of holly found throughout the
world, the largest being the Amer
ican holly which attains a height
of 50 feet, Tiie red-berried holly
is most common, although some
species bear yellow berries and oth
ers black.
Ancient German Christmas Belief
Germans of ancient times believed
that crumbs of bread made at Christ
mas, and which fell on tiie ground,
would grow into little star flowers witli
miraculous healing powers.
Santa Claus as Usual
“Santa Claus is coinin’ around as
usual in December," said Uncle Eber..
“tryin’ to bring along enough good
cheer to beat de tax collector.”
Non-Christians and Christmas
Non-Christians frequently join in
the social observance of the day. To
them. It simply has no religious sig
nificance.
Christmas Cards Old Custom
The sending of Christmas cards by
way of friendly greeting and remem
brance has grown up since about 1880.
Christmas Puddings Made Round
Christmas puddings are made round
so that they may go round.
CHRISTMAS SMOKES
Alice—They say a woman can’t se
lect Christmas cigar*.
May—Nonsense. I have been sound
ing my husband and he says he likes
light cigars. All you have to do is to
match tiie shade.
Mistletoe, a Tree Parasite
Despite its popularity as a Christ
mas green, there is little worry about
conserving tiie country’s supply of
mistletoe. For this attractive plant,
with its shiny, dark leaves and waxy
white berries, grows as a parasite high
on the branches of trees and does con
siderable damage to Its host trees.
Science has revealed that the mistle
toe seeds are carried from tree to tree
by birds.
Christmas Warning
“De selfish man,” said Uncle Eben,
"mustn't be surprised if de only way
he can be sure of a ‘Merry Christmas’
Is by talkin’ it Into a phonograph rec
ord.”
Holiday Garnish for Salads
Cranberry jelly sliced and cut Into
fancy shapes with a cookie cutter or
a knife makes an attractive and un
usual garnish for salads and desserts
during the holiday season.
Ljeu 'J'ib'uKjs ...
ppYp So spoke the Angel of the Lord to the shepherds
^ on a hill in Judea. *' Tidings” means "news” and
the news which they heard that winter night two
thousand years, ago was the news cf the greatest
event in the history of mankind.
ffieholc), C Slivuj 'Ljou 'Tidings . .
Each week throughout the year, your Home Town
Newspaper brings you the tidings of this community
—the news of your relatives, your neighbors and
your friends.
It brings you all the news—the news of com
munity activity and achievement, the news of tho
everyday life of the men and women and children
who make up this community.
It brings you clean news, constructive news,
hopeful news, wholesome news — the kind of news
that makes this newspaper a welcome visitor in
your homes.
tU). 0 &i 'TicintjS ...”
And now as this year draws to a close, your Home
Town Newspaper brings you that greatest of all
news—the news which the shepherds heard that
Christmas eve so long ago, the news that "peace on
earth, good will to men” now reigns in the hearts
of the people ot this community.
Such are the "tidings of great joy” which it is
our privilege ta brine to you. „
16 H y THE PUBLISHERS
Santa as He Appears in
the Different Countries
OO SA Vl A CLAUS wears a red suit :
and a long white beard, and when i
lie isn’t busy in the toy store, drives j
a sleigh pulled by Donner and Rlitzen? |
Not If yon live in Hawaii. There, on
a moonlit December night, you might
see Santa come riding in from Hie
ocean on a surf-hoard. As likely as
not there would lie a lei, or wreath of
(lowers, about his neck, though lie
wears the same red suit and water
proof hoots he dons for hoys and girls
of Hie United Slates, since Hawaii is
really American territory.
In the Philippines, though It, too, is
S3 j
Complin)ents of the
Read the Greetings of Perry’s business con
cerns in this issue. Remember that the suc
cess of these people is vital to the upbuilding
of Perry and Houston County. Resolve to
trade at home in 1936. Begin now.
We hope you will like the Christmas features
and the regular features published this week.
May you have a very Merry Christmas and
a Prosperous New Year.
THE EDITOR.
American, the white cap turns conical
like a Spanish clown’s, lie carries a
red-ami while lantern which helps him
find tiie home of every good hoy ami
girl, and drives hntTalo, which they
call carabao, fl’lie gifts are packed in
baskets slung across the hacks of
these creatures.
What would you think of Santa in a
rickshaw? But, after all, If you were
a Chinese child isn’t that wleil you
would expect? And Santii never dis
appoints. In Japan he sits with his
feet tucked under him to take Ids tea
on a wintry afternoon, and in the Afri
can tropics—well, you just wouldn’t
recognize tiie red suit! He has even
taken to using the airplane in our own
country. I am sure that when lie
leaves the reindeer in Ids barn, lie pats
I lie nose of each one and urges the
ice elves to feed them plenty of reindeer
moss till he comes home again.—Fran
ces Grinstoad.
TOYS CHILDREN LIKE
A COMPREHENSIVE survey
leads to the conclusion that
building blocks are the favorite toy
for children up to the age of seven.
Drawing and painting materials
rank high. With little girls, dolls
and housekeeping equipment are
favorites. Sand and clay for mod
eling retain tiie interest of most
children. Mechanical toys, on tiie
other hand, are soon discarded.
Adults usually enjoy Hie mechan
ical toys more than tiie children
for whom they are purchased.
Carvcr’i Language
Few people are aware Hint such a
pleasant Yuletide task as carving lias
a language of its own, which has noth
ing to do with exasperation. Forget
ting for a moment Hie ubiquitous tur
key, which apparently is only "carved,”
uii expert cites the following terms as
appropriate to tiie occasion: Allay a
pheasant, Cldne a salmon. Mince a
plover, Barb a lobster, Lift a swan,
Spall u hen. Unbrace a duck, Disfigure
a peacock, Dismember a heron, Thigh
a woodcock, and Tame a crab, in Hie
Middle ages, when most of these pic
turesque terms were evolved, herons,
being as common as starlings today,
were a favorite Christmas dish
amongst the poor; while the rich grant
ed the peacock the place of honor at
their banquets.—London Tit-Bits Mag
nzlne.
imiota
Bloom, at Christmas Time
According to tradition the famous
thorn at Glastonbury Cathedral was
brought and planted there by Joseph
of Arimnthea and was part of the
crown of thorns which was pressed '
upon tiie brow of Christ. According
to tradition it blooms at Christmas
time and the possession of a piece is
said to insure good fortune through
the year.
ON HIS WAY
Green—Going away this Christmas?
Wise—No, but I guess I’ll go away
right after Christmas.
Green—Where to?
Wise—To Jail as a bad debtor.
Popcorn Presents
Apples, jelly or canned fruit, and
even big cherry homemade wreaths
done up “Chrlstmasy” make practical
presents; but the gayest and most wel
come of the off-the-farm-and-on-to-the-
city presents seem to be pop corn and
hickory nuts. With a basket of pop
corn and a bag of hickory nuts all
kinds of Christmas boxes are suitable
for every one from grandfather und
grandmother who lived on a farm and
picked up chestnuts when they were
young, all the way down to the littlest
boy cousin, who’s Inordinately fond of
candy.
Mothers’ Night, Ancient
English Chriotmc3 Name
T HE oldest English mime for Christ
inas is Moddra Night, or Mothers’
Night. In tin' early days, when our
Saxon forefathers had just settled
down in tiie country that was to be
England, the day of December 25Hi
was given up to games and feasting,
but the night was dedicated to the
special honor of mothers. They oc
cupied the seats of honor, and every
one brought them gifts. Sons and
daughters who had gone out into the
world strove to la* at home on that
one night in Hie year.
A lit Hi 1 later the name Yule was giv
en to Christmas, and the rejoicings of
the day were prolonged into night,
when men sang and told stories sitting
round tiie cheerful blaze of the Yule
log.
The old customs of Mothers’ Night
gradually died out. though they still
survive in a few parts of the country,
its place lias been taken to some ex
tent by Mothering Sunday in the North
of England. On that, day everyone who
can do so still makes a pilgrimage
homewards, and the mother receives
Hie homage of her family.—London
Tit-Bits Magazine.
THE DAYS BEFORE
"What nice manners tiie polite lit
tle Thompson boys have!”
“Yes. They are always like that
Just before Christmas.”
fT*r*-rTr'f-r - --i—r** J’ds tsi i ~ r i
Proper Size for Toy Blocks
Four inches long by two inches
square is a good size for children’s
building blocks, according to educa
tional experts. These can he irtade at
home by cutting them from a 2 h.v 2
planed joist, sandpapering Hie edges
and corners to a slight roundness, and
painting them in bright colors. Old,
worn blocks can be given a new lease
on life by enameling them in gay hues.
Uncle Eben’s Advice
“Santa Claus will soon be here,”
said Uncle Eben, “and tain’t no time
to tell yoh financial worries. If you
writes him a letter, don’t write it in
red Ink."
Made Be3t of Worst of
Christmas-Time Mishap
T HE snow began nearly a week be
fore Christmas and when the great
day arrived, folks were trying to re
member the time when It didn’t snow
In Morton City. Barnes, the only mer
chant, had put off getting his shopping
supply so there were no gifts In town
to be bought for love or money. But
when news got about that the train
down on the railroad siding was snow
bound in Morton City, old and young
sort of forgot about the lack of gifts.
Too, the president of the road with Ids
party had a special car on the rear
of the snowbound passenger, anl
wasn’t that a great honor Indeed?
Folks got over the novelty of their
visitors In time for the organization
of u huge choir of carol singers that
went down to the train and paraded
through the length of the coaches, even
to singing for the chef and the porters
and, of course, alt the train men.
They had remembered to take along a
tree decorated with the makeshift or
naments they had on hand from pre
vious years. But somehow, they made
a great hit with all the strangers who
joined heartily In the fun.
The passengers dove Into their bag
gage and brought up books, boxes of
candy, candy bars, ties, fancy soaps
and bath salts, highly perfumed, beau
tiful towels and even lovely baby
clothing, wearing apparel and jewelry.
In fact, not a soul In the little settle
ment was without one of the Impromptu
gifts. The passengers received old-
fashioned roasted fowls and all trim
mings of a generous feast. What one
bath not, the other had, seemed the
viost terse explanation of the happy,
condition!—-Luella B. Lyons*.,
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