New Christmas More Delightful No two Christmases are ever alike, but this one, surely, must be the most memorable of all. Each year it’s true. Every Christmas is more delightful than the last, if only be cause it is enriched by cne more memory of Christmas past. Memories and traditions mount up to make the Christmas customs of to day. Most such customs began so long ago that their origin is hidden in the mists of time, and several the ories may be put forward to explain why and how each custom developed. Happily, the wealth of legend and lore woven about Christmas is pleas ing rather than confusing. Especially at this season, a touch of the magi cal and mystical is more to be wel- In England today an hour’s wage buys 18 ounces of round steak; France, seven ounces; Russia, four ounces. Oernonia Eagic 4 THURSDAY, DEC. 24, 1964 corned than a deluge of precise fact ual detail, and one of the special charms cf Christmas customs is the hint of mystery surrounding them. Decorating of Trees Devised Candles, apples, colored papers-- these were among the early tree orn aments. Later, individual countries develop ed their own tree-decorating ideas, i’traw windmills and birdcages ap peared on Lithuanian trees, while the Poles devised ornaments from feath ers and ribbons. Tree decorations contributed b y Scandinavian countries were as var ious as fish nets and miniature flags. The modem array of tree orna ments is vast and imaginative, but even so many families like to add their own personal, “old-fashioned” touch to the tree, with decorations such as strings of popcorn or cran berries. On Christ’s Birthday, Our own Christmas carol: Old Friends and new, We wish a Merry Christmas And Happy New Year to you. C. J. and Essie Nance Praying God above will bless your Christmas with \ happiness, and keep you in Boat Owners To Get Data Scriptures T ell 01 Holy Night 'üi? Seeking Log Family Ritual The traditional Yule log survives today more in art, song and story than as an actual “blazing Yule.” After all, not every home has a fire- place nowadays, and even when a fireplace exists, its proportions are usually far from sufficient to accom modate the Yule logs of yesteryear. During ancient times in England, however, it was a solemn family ri tual to select the log, dry it and bum it according to custom. Logs from fruit bearing trees were preferred. The whole family went along to se lect the log, as this was thought to bring good luck for the coming year, and to frighten away witches. If the log burned out quickly, or did not bum brightly, it meant bad luck ahead. On Christmas morning, the child ren of the house beat upon the log and called for gifts to come forth. They were scolded by their parents, sent outside and, after a time, called in to open the gifts, which had been set near the log. TALLEST TREE Tallest Christmas tree? In the U. S. the title probably goes to the Indi anapolis, Indiana, “tree” - the Sol diers and Sailors Monument. At Christmas, the 246-foot structure is decorated with electric candles and stars. Few things are busier than idle minds and idle tongues. “And lo, the Star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.” Matthew 2:9. “And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manager.” Luke 2:16. From two who became His disci ples come the words that tell the story of that Holy Night, the first Christmas. Matthew the tax collector wrote of the Star that shone in the east, and of the wise men who fol lowed it to find and worship Him. Luke the physician wrote of shep herds watching in the fields and her ald angels singing in the heavens. At church services during this Christmas season the words of the tax collector and the physician will be read and studied once again, with ever-deepening meaning. And as the story is told anew, it is also reflected in the many observ ances of Christmas, both in churches and in homes. The joyful sound of carols harks back to the first of all carols, the words of the heavenly host, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” The glow of candles symbolizes the birth of Christ as the Light of the world, and it also mirrors the eter nal gleam of the Star of Bethlehem. The spirit of giving takes guidance from the gifts of the Wise Men, who b r o u g h t gold, frankincense and myrrh to Him. Above all, at Christmas, mankind experiences once again the rever ence, wonder and rejoicing of the wise men, of whom Matthew says, “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him.” The forthcoming change in Federal Oregon boat owners will soon be specifications was first announced receiving notices that their annual in 1958. All Coast Guard approved boat registrations are due to expire. lifesaving equipment having fibre Also being sent are applications for filling and manufactured since 1960 renewing their annual boat numbers is protected by the plastic bag. for 1965. The Marine Board reports that the IN HOLLAND notices and application forms are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Ru ready for m a ilin g but it has select ed December 28 as the mailing date dolph would cause no excitement in in order to avoid the heavy Christ the Netherlands, where children be lieve that a horse pulls St. Nicholas’ mas mail. sleigh. Also, the State Marine Board is re The great horse is named Sleipner, minding Oregon boat owners that, ef fective January 1, 1965, Federal regu and the Dutch children fill their lations require the fibre filling in all wooden -shoes with hay for him. This life preservers, buoyant vests, and gives him energy to get St. Nick to buoyant cushions to be enclosed in every house. a heat-sealed plastic bag. As the state boating laws require IT’S A HOLIDAY lifesaving equipment in boats to be First of the United States to give Coast Guard approved, the regula tion automatically applies to the recognition to Christmas Day as a legal holiday was Alabama, in 1836. equipment used in Oregon boats. His loving care, every day EHEEUHES si/, Joy unconfined, hope unrestrained . . . our Christmas wish for you. ? I . A ll A B O A R Ò fO R J C h R IS T lD A S ! f SÄlfLSi 1 «&SSS T SS GIFT IDEAS FOR LAST MINUTE SHOPPERS - AT GREATLY REDUCED PRICES! M 2 Regularly Flash Bulbs.......... 88c $1.39 May your holiday be appy and blessings many. — OPEN CHRISTMAS DAY — o p es* AG1 Flash Bulbs......... 88c 12s, Regularly $1.39 O lii! cohisrmAs COFFEE BREAK — Edna Berg ( Kodak Camera....... $14.99 Super 27—Complete Outfit, Regularly $21.50 and everywhere. Mrs. Lum Brown cbn M2B Flash Bulbs........ 99c Regularly $1.59 * 135 For Colorchrome Film-$1.99 Beautiful Slides. Processing Included. * . 8mm Movie Film...... $2.39 Perfect Color—Processing Included flory shone in the heavens. May great joy be yours, The Vernonia Hotel Edith and Bill Meadows r KATE'S CAFE FREE KODAK FILM Closed Christmas Day KODACOLOR OR BLACK & WHITE With Every Roll Left Here For Developing and Prints YOUR "Perfect Photo, Inc. DEALER During Month of December Only you gather ’round the Christmas tree with Boxed Chocolates - lrom $1.49 Brown and Haley. Hand Dipped family and friends to sing the glad songs, remember our Ladies Hose...... 3 Pr $1.99 Save 95c . . . New Shade—Off Black wish: A hearty, happy jc Fy ■■y; ~E 3? sr /z The Christmas spirit has been very much a part of the Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railway this past week. We’ve seen it expressed in the special warmth w*th which strangers exchange greet ings. We’ve seen it reflected from the faces of happy folks traveling to a re- union with loved ones. As a matter of fact, even the rails seem to sing a song of Yuletide! So, to these happy sights and sounds, we add our own best wishes that your holiday may be a truly joyous occasion. S P O K A N E , P O R T LA N D a id S E A T T L E R A ILW A T S T S T E N Gcnerel * Am*«an Bank Btdf . Portland. Orason Christmas to all! FREE CALENDARS AND ALMANACS NOW IN! c s rq VERNONIA TRADING COMPANY, INC. 3 & '¿W? I D R U G CO. HA- 9 • 6 2 .5 4 mp