Image provided by: Charlotte Berkham; Portland, OR
About The Grantonian (Portland, Ore.) 19??-???? | View Entire Issue (Dec. 20, 1968)
4 THE GRANTONIAN December 20, 1968 Gifts in pillowcases highlight Christmas season in England David Hogg and Julian Goat- cher, from England, recently paid our school a visit as .a part of their world-wide tour. They arrived in a brightly painted Land Rover and they offered their views on subjects ranging from politics to girls to Christ mas. 1 Christinas presents in a pillowcase at the foot of your bed, and stockings filled with goodies and sweets contribute to the ex citement of an English Christmas. Presents are distributed on Christmas day, the tree candles are lighted in the afternoon, and at 8 p.m. everyone sits down to the Queens Annual Christmas Day speech, which is broadcast on television stations all over the world. This is the only time of the year that she speaks di rectly to the people. Christmas day is consid ered to be a family day;— when everone eats and Ensembles present Christmas songs drinks too much. A typical dinner menu would include turkey, onion sauce, brussel sprouts, ham roast, potatoes, and chipolata sausages, and when everone is visited. Boxing Day, a holiday which falls the day after Christmas, and which is unique to England. This day, commonly called “Sporting Day” is devoted to visiting the in-laws, watching the horse races and television spectaculars and going to plays —for this is the traditional day of British pantomime. Leading pop stars, comedians, and show people take part in the performance of the fairytales— such as Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, and Snowwhite, with the leading male part always being performed by a woman. Horns American symbol Other Christmas-time tradi tions include mistletoe, the ex change of cards,, and attendance of the midnight service on Christmas Eve, Confetti, champagne, horns, and Auld Lang Syne: American symbols of that holiday which comes, without fail, every Janu ary 1. Around the world the oc casion is celebrated differ ently, but always with the scame goal: to insure a hap py and prosperous year. In France, New Year’s festivi ties are symbolized by family re unions, presents, greeting cards, and children giving their par ents small, handmade gifts. Er rand boys are sent by their em ployers to give patrons gifts that represent their trade. German people welcome the New Year by living Jan uary 1 the way they would like to live the next 12 months, j Everyone wears at least one new garment. No one spends any money, but coins in pockets are shaken for good luck. Presents are rarely given, except money to people who have served the family throughout the year. for international holiday CHRIST’S STATE by Jim Clausnitzer Christ was born at home ’Cause they say home is Where the heart is Christ was wrapped in fabulous cloth ’Cause is that’s all you got They’re just wonderful Christ was born loved ’Cause his parents came from Love Christ was rich, richer than all ’Cause He had love, a home and Fabulous cloth. At midnight on December 31, the Japanese toll a bell 108 times, dispelling all evil spirits. This tradition is in keeping with the Buddhst idea that man has 108 cares. All debts are paid, and houses are immaculately cleaned. A traditional food is a rice cake made from a hard, cake-like dough of pounded rice, and con sidered a happy omen. At the front entrance of the home, a pine decoration is proudly dis played. Carolers make the rounds dressed in costumes, and carry ing hand drums. The Japanese festivities last until January 14. By contrast to the joyful wel come of the New Year by many countries, people of Latvia at tend morning and afternoon services in churches. JThe day is spent quietly, calling among of ficials friends and relatives. IN MY HOUSE by Mari Goodman In my house there is not a Christmas tree. In my house there is not mistletoe and holly. In my house there is not a Christian. There are, instead, nine candles gibwing warmly. There are gifts wrapped in white and blue. There are people who call themselves Jews. In my house. The “silver sound” of Christ mas music heard during the past month is due ot the glorious sounds of our choirs and choral ensembles. As a climax to a hec tic Christmas season for the choral department was the Christmas program, and for a finale will be the performance of the Royal Blues and the En voys at Providence Hospital De cember 26. They will carol in the corridors of the hospital, bring ing pleasure to the patients. “We were so good they invited us back,” confided Janet How land, choir director. All the schools are called, but Grant re ceived a special invitation.” “Performing in front of people makes us more at ease when we perform at school,” stated Jan Geschwin, member of Royal Blues. “It gives us a chance to blend our voices better and to work together better.” After a performance at the American Legion by the Octet, “More! More” was cried by the Legionnaires. “Singing with the Octet has given me the knowl edge of what it’s like to sing with a great group,” said Paul Tinker thoughtfully. Reggie Mor ris commented, “It’s been an honor to sing with the Octet and working with Mrs. Howland.” Perhaps the reason for the Oc tet’s recent popularity is the ad dition of a new member, sopho more Robin Towne. “It’s a good opportunity to get us accustomed to singing in front of people,” replied Choralettes member Debbie Fifield when asked how she. felt about singing in front of groups. In preparation for their busy season, members of the choral department have been attending early morning rehearsals start ing at 7:45 each morning. The feelings of everyone asso ciated with Mrs. Howland, who has done a terrific job, can be summed up by Dave Powell, senior choir piano player, who states, “Mrs. Howland is a won derful person and deserves a lot of credit.” Festival of Lights honored by Jews It’s not a Jewish Christmas! Beginning the 25th day of Kis lev, the third month of the Jew ish calendar, millions of Jews throughout the world will be celebrating the “Festival of Lights” known as Chanukah. Chanukah commemorates the renewed services in the Temple at Jerusalem after it had been destroyed by Antiochus IV, and restored under the leadership of Judas Maccabaeus. PROM MILLERS _ DEPARTMENT ETERE According to the Talmud, only one small container of oil was found in the ruins of the Temple to kindle the eternal light which eternally burns in all temples, even today. Miraculously, this small bit of oil which appeared to be just enough for one day lit the eternal light for eight days. Jewish people of today com memorate this event by lighting the candles for the eight days of Chanukah. They begin with one and kindle one more successively for eight nights until an eight- branched candelabrum, called a menorah, is filled. This year, the “Festiyal of Lights” began December 16, and will end on December 24.
