CHRISTMAS COMMENTARY
Nazarenes Date Talk on Brazil
Special guest speaker at the
Church of the Nazarene on Sun­
day, December 26 at 11 a m. will
WISHING YOU A
MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND A
NEW YEAR.
V E R N O N IA
UPHOLSTERY
SHOP
S. APGAR
be Rev. James Kratz, Nazarene
Vernonia Ministerial Ass’n
missionary to Brazil. Mr. Kratz
Christinas — What Is It?
is a native of Oregon, completed
In order to understand Christ­
his education at Cascade College mas as observed today, one has to
in Portland and pastored several take a look back into history.
churches in the western Oregon
Jesus was born in one of the
area. He was last at the Keizer Hebrew communities surrounding
Church of the Nazarene in Salem. Jerusalem. The Jewish people ob­
Rev. and Mrs. Kratz are musi­ served death anniversaries, never
cians of exceptional ability and birthdays. On the contrary, the
will provide special music for the western world was accustomed to
service.They have just completed celebrating birth dates, hardly ev­
their first four-year tour of duty er death dates.
Not until the fourth century was
as missionaries. They will tell of
the work of the Church of the there an annual commemoration
Nazarene and other churches in of the birth of Christ. Previously,
Brazil and other parts of South Christians commemorated o n ly
America. Rev. and Mrs. Kratz death anniversaries, especia 11 y
and their family are making their those of martyrs. From the first
home in Portland during this year century Christ’s followers observed
in the United States.
the annual commemoration of His
death and resurrection, which we
now know as Easter, but they
St. Nick Visits Holland
never observed His birthday.
The earliest known celebration of
In Horse Drawn Sleigh
Christ’s mass had nothing to do
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and
with either the birth of Christ or
Rudolph would cause no excite­
December 25. The “ adoptionists”
ment in the Netherlands, where
were placing special significance
children believe that a horse pulls
on the baptism of Jesus. This an­
St. Nicholas’ sleigh.
nual observance of Christ’s bap­
The great horse is named Sleip-
tism
was placed on January 6.
ner, and the Dutch children fill
Serious
problems soon arose.
their wooden shoes with hay for
Christians
at this time still prac­
him. This gives him energy to get
ticed immersion and winter’s wat­
St. Nick to every house.
er is cold, even in the Holy Land.
Too, there was the annual Bru-
Read the ads, it will pay you!
malian (also called Satumalian)
festival to compete with From re­
mote times a mid-winter festival,
called Brumalia, had been observ­
Airplanes are used in Lousiana
to locate illegal alligator hunters.
ed on December 25, called the
birthday of rebirth of the uncon­
querable sun, set at the season
when the short winter days began
to lengthen. At this season, it
seems, some Christians reverted,
if only for a few days, to pagan
customes and associations.
Then came one of the boldest
and most courageous efforts of the
early Christian leaders. This mid­
winter festival of the ages was
taken over and given a spiritual
emphasis! This effort was in keep­
ing with the goal of the Nazarene’s
followers to see all the world come
to a saving knowledge of Jesus
Christ. Many features of Bruma­
lia were easily adopted—the idea
of divine birth, light, rejoicing and
exchanging of gifts.
Christmas, if properly understood
commemorates a fact, not a date.
The best way to destroy a bad
habit is to replace it with a good
habit. Likewise, the best way to
replace death with life, human
with divine nature, is to have it
transformed by the hand of the
Master, whose birth we now cele­
brate as CHRISTMAS
Services Are Announced
For Si. Mary's Church
Christmas services announc ed
for St. Mary’s parish here include
confessions Friday afternoon, De­
cember 24 from 2:30 to 5 p.m.
and Masses Christmas morning at
8 and 10 a.m.
Oernonia Eagle
THURSDAY, DEC. 23, 1965
IT PAYS TO READ THE ADS!
When you insure
2 or more cars with
FARMERS
INSURANCE GROUP
you get extra
discounts on major
coverages for each
c«0
Call today for details
Ask about Farmers new Pre-
matic Payment Plan that lets
you pay for all your insurance
in monthly payments.
LLO YD Q U IN N
M ay the true spirit o f
Christmas enter your
hearts this year.
T A N D Y SHOE
R E P A IR
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Tandy
HA 9-5211
*
MERRY
F u ite n ! Friesen
mortuary chapels
The staff and
management
Let the joy and
faith o f the
wish you a
holiday season
be reflected
everywhere.
M erry Christmas
1
and Happy
Let us pause during this
season o f cheer and remember
He w ho saved us all.
N ew Year!
*
*
ROEDIGER PLUMBING
ED AND EDITH ROEDIGER
BEAVERTON
Glaske Chapel
345 S. w Watson
644-1119
HILLSBORO
9th & B aselin*
648 2161
FOREST GROVE
Cedar & Pacific
357 2161
VERNONIA
741 Madison Street
429 6611
L
GEORGE AND LOIS JOHNSON
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« ¿ J e f every heart re joice. . . i f a
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Christmas! T o each and every one of our
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valued friends, we send
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our most cordial wishes fo r a
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holiday season abounding in blessings.
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Hans & V i and R ick at Sunnyside Service
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OPEN EVERY DAY EXCEPT MONDAYS
Sun., Tues., Wed., Thurs., Sat., 8:00 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Fridays, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
— OPEN CHRISTMAS DAY 9:00 A.M. TO 3:00 P.M. —
THRIFTY GREEN STAMPS — FREE DELIVERY SERVICE
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Ages old . . . but ever new our Christmas greetings
ring so true accompanied by warm, good cheer now
and in the coming year.
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