Paga 8 Portland Observer December 20. 1979
Good opportunities for Blacks
in the Air Guard
Tracking down Christmas past,
back to 1800s
By David M Maxfield
Smithsonian News Service
Christinas, you may be surprised
to learn, was a work or school day
lo r many Americans until the mid
1800s.
The traditional American C h rist
inas, in tact, is not so very old at all.
G ift-g iv in g , ca rd -se n d in g , tree-
triin tn in g and o th e r present-day
custom s did not become w id e ly
popular until the final decades ol the
19th ce n tu ry, a rriv in g then as a
package o f V ic to ria n style and
business zeal.
For many years, Thanksgiving ac
tu a lly was fa r m ore special than
Christinas in New England. In the
South, firecrackers were sent o f f
C hristm as m o rn in g ; colored eggs
decorated evergreens in Dutch set
tlements along the Hudson River,
and well into the 1800s, Santa Claus
was portrayed as quite a small, eltish
figure sometimes capped o il with a
leather.
‘ ‘ T e ch n o lo g ica l d evelopm ents,
advances in transportation, printing
and m ail services p ro b a b ly were
responsible for the enormous change
and popularization ol Christmas day
in the Victorian) period,” according
to Shirley Cherkasky, a sociologist
responsible to r holiday research at
the
S m ith so n ia n
In s titu tio n 's
Division o f Performing Arts.
“ C e rta in ly , the p u b lic a tio n o f
C harles D ickens “ A C h ristm a s
C arol” with its themes o f charity and
good-will, affected the idea o f how
people felt Christmas should be ob
served,” she adds.
Early in the country’ s history, the
P uritan settlers believed C hristmas
should not be observed at all, and in
1659 the celebration was outlawed in
M assachusetts by the decree:
"W hoever shall be found observing
any such day as Christmas and the
like...shall pay fo r each offense live
shillings to the country .”
The Puritans associated Christmas
with the Church o f England, a pain
fu l rem inder o f th e ir struggle fo r
religious freedom. The December 25
h o lid a y , the s tro n g ly fe lt, was a
hum an in v e n tio n , a fa b ric a tio n :
C hrist’ s birthdate was unknown, and
therefore, the day should never have
been ordained by the Church. The
Puritans also d id n ’ t care much lo r
the occasion, thinking it too closely
lin k e d to the s p irite d pagan
celebration o f the winter solstice.
But in New Y o rk , Pennsylvania
and the southern colonies, Christmas
was another matter altogether. The
A n g lic a n s ,
L u th e ra n s ,
D utch
Reformed and Roman Catholics in
these regions celebrated with music,
d a n cin g ,
feasts
and
fa m ily
gath e rin g s. A French tra v e le r,
visiting the home o f a V irginian in
the 1680s, reported: "T h e re was a
great deal o f carousing He had sent
fo r three fid d le rs , a je s te r, a
tig h tro p e dancer, an acrobat who
tumbled ...they gave us all the enter
tainment one could wish lo r .”
“ Today, i f y o u ’ re talking about
g e ttin g back to a m ore re lig io u s
ho lid a y, you might remember that
Christmas used to be pretty w ild ,”
Cherkaskyy notes. So wild that one
e a rly custom c a ll m u in in in g -
knocking on doors, ringing bells, rat
tling cans and shooting o f f fire a rm s -
got c o m p le te ly o u t o t hand in
Baltim ore late in the 1800s, tailing
in to decline when quieter residents
complained.
A fte r years o f s tru g g le , the
M assachusetts P u rita n s in 1681
repealed their a n ti-h o lid a y decree,
apparently won over by two reasons:
the seasonal jo y they could see their
n e ig h b o rs e x p e rie n c in g , plus the
p ro te c tio n the U .S . C o n s titu tio n
gave to the separation o f church and
By Sr A Steve T'ineyan
Oreyon A ir National Guard
state. The P u rita n s , a cco rd in g to
social h istorian James H . Barnett,
were less in c lin e d to oppose the
secular celebration when it was no
lo n g er a sym bol o f p o litic a l and
religious dominance o f the Church
o f England.
But some in the colony still were
not reconciled to the decision. C om
plained one judge Sewell: ” 1 believe
that the body o f the people profane
it; and blessed be G od, no authority
yet to compel them to keep it . ” In
1856, though, Massachusetts joined
the growing list o f states giving legal
recognition to C hristm as D a y -th e
first being Alabana 20 years earlier.
By the mid-1800s, Christmas spirit
was on the upswing throughout the
c o u n try . D ickens " A C h ris tm a s
C a ro l,” published in 1843, helped
bridge local and regional differences
in h o lid a y customs. Its themes ot
kindness and generosity, according
to Cherkasky, crossed many cultural
and re g io n a l b oundaries, thereby
helping to universalize the C hristmas
celebration.
In 1868, Dickens gave readings o f
the tale in the United Stales and, a l
ter one appearance, he wrote: “ They
took it so tremeindously last night
that I was stopped every 5 minutes.
One p o o r young g irl burst in to a
passions o f grief about 1 iny Tim and
had to be taken o u t.”
As it d id in o th e r areas o f
A m e ric a n life , the In d u s tria l
R evolution began to influence the
way C h ris tm a s was observed.
Christmas cards, fo r example, could
be produced and m ailed inexpen
sively, gaining wide p o p u la rity by
1875. A nd fo r better or worse, the
first holiday advertising appeared in
the 183O’ s.
But it was not u n til late in the cen
tury, when the business and pleasure
o f gift-giving began in earnest, that
e la b o ra te C h ris tm a s c e le b ra tio n s
became an a n n u a l A m e ric a n ex
perience. “ G ifts at firs t were given
m a in ly to c h ild re n , servants and
tradespeople,” Cherkasky notes. “ It
was a time for evening up accounts.
But that was all to change.”
“ The fo lk -s e c u la r aspect o f
C h ris tm a s was ta k in g precedence
over its religious one,” Barnett says.
“ This was apparent in the increasing
im p o rta n c e o t Santa C la u s.
Thom as N ast’ s d ra w in g in “ H a r
per’ s W eekly” portrayed Santa lo r
the fir s t tim e as a jo lly , w h ite -
bearded character dressed in fur.
The popularity o f the (. hristmas
tree grew right along with the change
in social customs and technological
progress. A lte r Queen V ic to ria set
up a Yuletide at W indsor Castle, the
style was set, reaching the W h ite
House in 1865 during Franklin Pier
ce’ s presidency.
Thomas Edison’ s lab came up with
a string o f tree lights in 1882, 3 years
a fte r the incandescent light break
through, and immediately this novel
idea became the rage am ong the
w ealthy. Christm as tree parties to
show o f f the expensive, lighted trees
were m ajor social events.
Today, o f course, the Christmas
season is the sum o f many traditions.
" W e ’ re so encrusted with a whole set
o f things to do, compared to the time
when the season was re a lly q u ite
simple,” says Cherkasky.
In “ A Book o f C h ris tm a s ,”
British author W illiam Samson puts
it th is way: “ C h ris tin a s fro m
whatever angle you look at it is com
p le x. W hen the E n g lis h -s p e a k in g
countries sit down at lunch-tim e to a
‘ traditional Christinas dinner,’ they
eat Aztec b ird beside an A lsa tia n
tree, fo llo w e d by p u d d in g spiced
with subtropical preserves..."
P O R T L A N D A IR BASE— Young
Blacks, men and women, should take
some tune and cheek out the opportu
nities in the A ir Guard, said Senior Mas
ter Sergeant John Miller, first sergeant
and senior medical technician lor the
142nd U.S. A ir Force Clinic here.
He should know— M ille r is the first
Black man to attain the rank o f E-9 in
the Oregon A ir National Guard.
Opportunities in the Guard are just
waiting for minority groups, said Miller.
“ For the past 10 years, the doors have
opened for minorities to obtain job train
ing and education in the military. It’ s
a challenge that many young Black kids
arc taking— but not enough.”
More minorities go into the Marine
and Arm y Reserves because they feel
the A ir Force is mainly White-oriented,
said Miller. But the word is getting out,
due to the efforts o f men like Miller
and Captain Mike Jordan o f the social
actions office. Jordan is a school prin
cipal, with access to many Black stu
dents.
Miller feels the Housing Authority
o f Portland (H A P j/G u a rd camp held
each summer is a great way to show
minority children at an early age just
wfiat the Guard is all about. Said Miller.
" The kids are exposed to military per
sonnel for a week, and most love it.
Miller thinks it’s only a matter of tune
before more Blacks start attaining high
enlisted rank in the A it Guard. It s
certainly a worthwhile challenge, he
said. “ I he initiative to go forward will
get you anywhere.”
Miller was born til Oklahoma in 1933.
He moved to Vancouver, Wash. in 1943,
where he joined the Marine Corps after
World War II. He served four years in
Hawaii, California, Korea and Japan.
He saw action with the First Marine
Division during the Korean War.
In 1956 Miller went to work for the
Veterans Hospital in Vancouver. In his
spare time, Miller teaches Chung Guk,
a Korean-style martial art. He and his
wife Sandra have nine children.
DO YOU NEED HELP?
On the subject of busing for academic reasons Ron Hern
don asks, "if you believe in busing for academic reasons, why
hasn't it ever been suggested for schools that are pre
dominantly white where kids score low on achievement test?
Why is it just reserved for us?
(Photo: By Richard J. Brown)
CO M M UNITY CALENDAR
Is the DEVIL working against your home, nature, job, church, money, child
ren, sex, neighbor, health, sick, family, loved ones? Are there demons on
your body or in your home? Have you been in a fix where you cannot keep
or find the RIGHT man or woman? If you need help with any or all of these
problems you should call me NOWH Tomorrow may be too late)1! Does your
luck pass you by? If so, I have lucky hands to help you be a winner in all
GAMES OF CHANCE Bingo, Reno, Tahoe, Las Vegas, Special, Miami,
Fla., etc.
If you are a spiritual seeker who needs help not promises —call me. I am a
"God Gifted” man. I can help you in a hurry.
TESTIMONIALS
GIVING OF GIFTS I ime for the giving o f gilts, by the Salvation Army, io children
and wives o f prisoners al the M ultoinah County Rocky Butte jail has been changed
to begin at 1:0() p.m. and to continue until 6:00 p.m. on December 23, according to
A / ( apt. Harlan R Nelson, corrections officer at I he Salvation A rm y's Portland
Headquartered Cascade division.
ALBINA CHILDREN S HOLIDAY PARTY I he Sixteenth Annual Albina ( Ini
dren’ s Holiday Parly w ill be held Friday, December 21st at 1:30 p.m. in the Jeffer
son High School cafeteria. Miss I an Portland Ophelia Stevens and television per
sonality I he Great Cineinatti will be on hand. The kiddies will be treated to car
toons and movies and as a special treat the 4-H Chorale Group, led by Bro. Ira
M um ford will pel form Holiday music—and best o f all, lots o f Good Cheer. I he
parly is sponsored by the Jimmy Bang— Bang Walker Youth Foundation and will
be Marshalled by the Jefferson Dad’ s ( tub and the Portland Rain Makers. Free
tor all children o f the Portland Area Community. Santa Clause w ill make his ap
pearance at 2:00 p.m.
WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH invites the community to a Christ
mas Eve Service o f candlelight and carols at 7:00 p.m. on December 24th. Hits
year’s service, designed especially for the very young, w ill feature music by the
Westminster Children’ s Choir, by the Bell Choir, and by the 50-voice Chancel
Choir. The church is located at Northeast 17th and Schuyler Streets in Portland.
PERGOLESI S GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST” will be the featured woik
ol the Westminster Presbyterian Church Chanaeel Choir on Sunday, December 23
at 10 a.m. I he 50-voice choir, led by Director Janet M. Howland, w ill be accom
panied by a brass ensemble. Dr. Ferry Swieegood, senior minister, will speak on
the subject, “ Steer By the Bethlehem S tar". The church is located at Northeast
17th and Schuyler Streets in Portland.
PRINT. DRAWING AND PHOTOGRAPHY GALLERY OPENS AT MUSEUM
I he Portland Art Museum announces that its new Print, Drawing and Photog
raphy Gallery is now open to the public during regular visiting hours. Ihe newly
renovated space, formerly the Rental Sales Gallery, was upgraded from funds
1) M iss Joyce J.W ., Portland, OR., was in a fix where she could not
find or keep a good man. I, Rev. Hoskins, removed the fix and the jinx from
her. NOW she can draw the man of her desire to her like a magnet.
2) M r ft M rs C.P of C om pton. CA.. could not win the BIG one. They
called Rev. Hoskins and Rev. sent them a for sure win blessing money hand.
They went to Las Vegas and their luck kept on coming, winning more than
$16,000.
...x u
3) M s Barbara T., In gle w o od . CA., had a man who left home tor
another woman. She called Rev. Hoskins with tears in her voice. She want
ed him back!! Now he is backend eating out of her hand.
4) M r. Paul, Los Angeles, CA., was in a fix and rooted by this woman.
As a result he lost his nature for other women, but through Rev. Hoskins'
work, Paul regained his nature and became luckier than ever with women,
money and his business.
5) M rs. O .I., Long Beach, CA., had demons in her body, and in her
home, causing all kinds of bad luck, and unnatural sickness She called Rev
Hoskins and in 72 hours her home and body were free of unclean spirits.
(The names in the above testimonies have been changed for the protec
tion of the individual.) I guarantee to do what I say I can do. I have a big re
putation to protect.
I know the power of the SPIRIT. Don't put it off. Don t let distance keep
you from calling. Call now lll You will be glad you did. Tell a friend where to
get HELP today.
RESULTS GUARANTEED
REVEREND CLAUDE HOSKINS
553 GLENVIEW AVENUE
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA 94610
TELEPHONE: ( 415) 444 4883
Paid Advertisement
granted by the Oregon Community Foundation.
HUGHES M EM O R IA L UNITED M ETHODIST CHURCH
REV. AUSTIN V. RAY, MINISTER
111 N.E. FAILING
Church School 9 45arn
Office 281 2332
Dial A Prayer 284 0684
Worship 11 00am
Specializing In
Individual • Marriage and harndv • (iro u p 1 herapv
The C hurch W here NO S tran ger Feels S trange
ST. ANDREWS CATHOLIC CHURCH
281 4429
806 NE ALBERTA STREET
Reverend Bertram Griffin. Pastor
Masses
5 00pm Vigil Saturday
10 00am Choir Sunday
12.00pm Folk Sunday
ST ANDREW C O M M U N ITY SCHOOL
Phone 284 , 620
Grades 1 thru 8
4919 NE 9th Ave
Norita Kelly, Principal
ALLEN TEMPLE CME CHURCH
Corner of 8th and Skidmore
Sunday School 9:30am
Sunday Worship 11:00am
Christian Youth Fellowship 6:00pm
(second and fourth Sundays)
Sharing is Oaring
Reverend Thomas I.. Strayhand, Minister
Every ch ild m atters to The Salvation A rm y .
Y o u r C hristm as d o n a tio n , dropped in to a k e ttle or
NEW HOPE M ISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
REVEREND A. BERNARD DEVERS, PASTOR
THE CHURCH DESIGNED TO MEET YOUR NEED
Sunday School
Morning W orship
Evening Service 2nd 4»h and
5th Sundays
Communion 1st Sunday
Wed
Family Prayer Meeting
and Btb*e Study
Friday Brotherhood
Fellowship Service with
Morning Star 3rd Sunday
’
10:30am
m ailed to the nearest S alvation A rm y headquarters,
w ill p rovide toys, warm c lo th in g , and tu rk e y and
You are Welcome to Worship at
THE ARK OF SAFETY CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST
“ A warm spirit o f fellowship always
7 00pm
Prayer and Pastor Phone 281 6476
Church Phone 281 0183
3725 N . G a n t e n b e in A v e n u e ^ P o rtla n d ^ re g o r^ Z ^ Z
miss o u t on Christm as
The Honorable Bishop U.V. Peterson, D D
' The Holiness Preacher," Pastor
7 °°P m
7:30pm
trim m in g s fo r m any ch ild re n w ho m ig h t o therw ise
Sunday
Sunday School
Morning Worship
9 15am
11:15am
Showers o ' Blessings Broadcast
11 30am 12 30pm
KGAR 1560
6 30pm
YPBC
8 00pm
Evangelistic W orship
Noon Day Prayer
T uesday
Bible Band/ Jr Church
Wednesday
Choir Rehearsal
Friday
The Pastor Speaks
84 NE Killingsworth
281 0499
7 30pm
7 00pm
7 30pm
Moore Street
Community Center
5430 N. Moore