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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 15, 1982)
■ta. 1 *•»*- •r* * '• ■WHIM III < -*V - Portland Observer, December 15, 1982 Section II Page 9 Christmas around the world . . . In Scandana via— Denmark, N or way and Sweden—Christmas is cele brated for a month. Saint Lucia's D ay, December' 13th. opens the season. Lucia was a C hristian girl who was martyred during the time of Emperor Diocle tian. When the Christianized V ik ings heard her stoiy, they envisioned her shining figure w ith a halo o f light. Because her Saint’s Day is on December 13th, when the long hours of winter darkness will begin to wane, she became a favorite o f the northern people. The Day o f Saint Lucia is cele brated all over Sweden. Early in the darkness of morning, the family is awakened by the youngest daughter who serves them coffee and Lucia buns and cakes in bed. She is dressed in white and on her head is a green wreath with candles. She sings, "Santa Lucia", an old Italian melody. After Saint Lucia's day. presents are bought, wrapped and placed un der the Christmas tree. A sheaf o f grain is placed on a pole or tree so the birds, also, can rejoice. Everyone gathers in the kitchen, decorated with candles, flowers and pine branches. On the stove is a large iron pot with drippings o f Dork, sausage and corned beef. Slices o f wort bread are dipped into the liquid. When the dipping is finished, lunch is served in the din ing room. The meal is a close family gathering and the menu has been the same for generations. O ften it is prefaced by a smorgasbord. Then comes the lutfisk, generally made of sun-cured cod served with cream sauce. The meal is topped o ff with rice pudding or porridge containing a hidden almond. The person who gets the almond is supposed to be married during the following year. After dinner the Christmas tree is lit and the presents, provided by Jultomten, are opened. Christmas Day is a day of rest and religious observance. People going to the pre-dawn service carry torches a n d windows are lit with candles. Close by the church, wor shippers throw their torches into a huge bonfire. At the door o f the church they are met with the chorale: " H o w Brightly Burns the Morning Star." December 26th is the day of hos pitality, with children’s parties and visitors. Young people dress in cos tumes and go door-to-door receiv ing gifts. On Twelfth Night children dress in costumes— often depicting Bible characters— and, carrying stars mounted on poles, go from house to house singing hymns. Saint Knuts' day, January 13th, ends the Christmas season. The day honors King Knut IV who ruled 1080-1086 and is revered for his pious nature and generosity to the poor. The Christmas tree is lit for the last time, then dismantled and taken outdoors with the wish: "M ay God bless your C hristm as,/M ay it last till Easter." poor. January I , the Day o f Circumci sion, is the day gifts are exchanged. Children go house to house visiting. January 2nd is the women's day for visiting. In Syria there is a common belief that on Epiphany every tree bends its trunk and inclines its branches in honor of (he Christ Child. In southern Syria the gentle camel o f Jesus travel* over the desert bringing gifts for the children. Chil dren leave bowls o f water and wheat for the camel. God children receive gifts; the other find black marks on their wrist*. On Christmas Eva In soma French villages, a shepherd carries a The lamb reminds them of the shepherds who watched thalr flocks lamb to Midnight Mass. The villagers carry candles and sing carols, the night Jesus was born. Our Market Interest Account beats the money market funds. Our convenience beats everyone. Syria The Christmas Season in Syria differs from that o f most other countries. It begins on Saint Bar bara's Day, December 4th, and con tinues to Epiphany. On the eve of St. Barbara's Day a table of sweets made of nuts, sugar, honey and wheat is arranged. Wheat memorializes the dead and signifies resurrection o f the soul. Children are taught unselfishness and thoughtfulness by sending sweets to the homes o f the poor, saying, " M a y God bless you and bring you happiness every year. Father and mother beg you to accept these gifts from us.” At a party of dancing and singing. Wheat is cooked and flavored with sugar, rose water and candy. To demonstrate that they have learned the lessons of good Saint Barbara, the girls go, one at n time, to elderly women who annount their eves with a salve. A special mass is said in the churches of Saint Nicholas. On Christmas Eve, a bonfire o f vine stems is built in the church in honor o f the Magi, who were cold after their long journey. Christmas Day is observed quietly — a day of prayer and rejoicing. 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