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.