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About Herald and news. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1942-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 28, 1963)
PAC.E-S HERALD AND NE1VS, Klamath Falls. Oregon Thursday. November 28, 1963 3! S, safe . i tin,,. . ill). VI 1 ... 7 tt "t - v.....--f5x Centuries Old Legends Tell Much About Beginnings Of Yule Customs Who was the first child to hang his stockings on the man tcl in anticipation of a visit from St. Nick? Who sent tl first Christmas card? Sang the first carol? Tossed tinsel on the tree? Shared the first kiss ' '.under mistletoe? Knjoyed the first sip of wassail? . . The Answers lie in the centuries-old legends of Christmas. First to gather about the was. sail bowl today, the tradition al Christmas punch bowl were the ancient Saxnns. The word "wassail" is a Saxon toast meaning "bo whole" or "have health." Through the years, the word came lo mean any liquor used to toast health especially the spiced drinks served at Christmas celebrations in the Middle Ages. The basis of the mistletoe le gend is an old Scandinavian myth which tells of the god Baldcr's narrow escape from death. I ki , a malicious giant and menace to peace in Hie king dom of Odin, ruler of Iho Nurse jl . gods, sought a way to destroy . the beloved Haider. Aware of the danger to her son, 1'Yiggn, Baldcr's mother, secured a charm which made him immune to injury from fire, water, air, or anything on . earth. The only thing she over looked was an unimportant, harmless plant mistletoe. Learning this, Lokl made an arrow of mistletoe and mortal ly wounded Balder. In des peration, Frigga begged t h e gods to intercede and save her son which they did. The grate ful mother decreed thai, from that moment on, the plant would lie a symbol of love. The mistletoe kiss is thought to be a survival of an ancient Norse marriage rite associated with the legend. Not as old, but even more romplex, is the legend of the Christmas stocking. We found many different versions in the Esquire Socks Library of Foot lore. And the only fact we can clearly establish Is that the first Christmas slocking was fash ioned of woolen shreds long before Iho days of D a c r o n blends. One of (lie versions Irlls of the Bishop of Jlyra, a kindly clergyman who lived In 4lh Cen tury Asia Minor and later be came St. Nicholas. One Christmas, the Bishop learned of an impoverished merchant in Ins city who had two lovely daughters both un married because their father couldn't afford dowries. The compassionate Bishop. . determined to help, dropped two bags of gold coins down the merchant's chimney on Christmas Eve. Coincidental ly, the family stockings were hanging on the mantel to dry ami the gold landed in the hosi ery. St. Nick, the legend goes on. has been dropping gifts in stockings ever since. The story, though plausible, has one loophole. Furtlicr re search in the Ksquire Socks 1J brnry uncovered the fact that hose were not made with feet until the 11th Century, some 700 years after the Bishop's bounty. Did Si Nick go around dropping gilts Into bottomless stockincs for 7m vears? A much more likely legend is the one crediting St. Francis of Assisi with the introduction of community carol singing. The word "carol" means "lo dance in a ring." 7t is said that SI. Francis staged a manger scene one Christmas wilh real people and animals. The onlookers were so delighted with what Ihey saw that they burst into happy song Those first carol ei's became as important to St. Francis' Christmas celebrations as modern carolers arc lo ours. The oriuin of the Cluislmai lice can be (raced back to the deeds of another good saint Winifred. It is said ho hewed down a ciant oak lo nrevent a human sacrifice n nimni f heathens were holding in its shadow. A tall, voiini! fir suddenly an- neared in the oak's nlarn and St. Winifred proclaimed il a miracle and said that from that day forward, families would gather about a fir tree not for wicked deeds hut to glorify Cod. And if St. Winifred gave us the Christmas tree, Martin Lu ther gave us the custom of dec orating il. While strolling through the countryside one Christmas Eve. Luther was awed by the sight of the snow lipped evergreens sparkling in Iho moonlight. At home, he tried lo recreate the scene for his family by placing candles on (heir Christmas tree . . . and we've lieen decorating our ev ergreen boughs at Christmas lime ever since. Our Christmas card custom is of relatively recent origin. The first was sent in 18 by Henry Cole, English educator and art patron. It bore the now. classic greeting, "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You!" mm ijAit v UttUUOUA "TIGER" Silver and gold thread on white Satin with gold binding I 99 Mid or High Heel MUST CHRISTMAS ROSE The Chrislmm Rose. a winter blooming plant, first sprang up from the tears of a little girl who cried because she cad not have a gift (0 offer the Christ mas Child. The child picked the flowers and while kneeling at the crib. Jesus' hands touched Ihe petals and a delicato pink appeared on Ihe flowers. This lovely legend Is documented bv Rust Craft in its exclusive "Le gend Series" of greeting cards. WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN hen tho sun goes down in your citv or tow u . . .don a pair of I.ifo Stride's romantio and airy pumps for a completely fcminuio look, Your choice nf high or mid heel. Tho less shoo . . . the better. Sco Bogatay's Complete Selection ( (( 1 f of DYABLE EVENING SHOES 7.77" IZ.V" TINTED FREE OF CHARGE!! 617 MAIN STREET SHOES a ', i lit mijiiimi.hu i U. .! ULajaap j mm SPORT SHIRTS of easy care drip-dry fabric! in eye-catching solids, potterns, Comfortably cut,, smartly styled, colorful, from 3.98 NECKWEAR from our very care fully chosen collection of today's most-wanted colors and patterns. Pure silks, challis, blends from I.JO DRESS SHIRTS-to team up with your HS&M sport coat. Comfort, proportioned in your favorite fabric, collar and cuff style.. ram 4 95 HART SCHAFFNER & MARX gives him o IVlerry Christmas with a ftSew Year's Look i .MH9-'.::',i- sfi 1 Y 1 1 . f - f J- ,,v V -- S' -1 t Vr t , i iifiemlii im HS&M sport coats styled for Spring '64 Give him the fun of being first with the newest. Give him extra months of wearing pleasure. Give him the lean, lithe look and the relaxed feeling of famous HS&M tailoring. Give him a Hart Schafl'ner & Marx sport coat from our just-arrived advance Spring collection. Choose from fine worsteds and blends in patterns that range from soft spoken, muted markings to the bold "Courageous Look." From $55.00 Curlee from $35.00 ALL GIFTS BEAUTIFULLY WRAPPED! if SPORTS HAT-clossic Tyrolean style to top off a sports outfit. New narrow brim and tapered crown. Color choice ftom 1 1.95 HOSE classic cotton ribs, lambs wool, blends in a large choice of smart shades and woven pat terns, Snug-fitting .. . fnm , oo pv-T-v Charge your Christmas purchases on our con venient Revolving Charge Plon Take up to 6 months to poy! -u Vi tr; i.aj 733 Main and Town & Country
