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About Nyssa gate city journal. (Nyssa, Or.) 1937-199? | View Entire Issue (Dec. 19, 1963)
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1963 THE NYSSA GATE CITY JOURNAL. NYSSA, OREGON PAGE TWELVE How the Tree Grew Christmas Season Firsts' Are Traced fred When the prince Al married Queen the custom Through Early Christianity History carried tree to England and from there German Victoria, he of the Yule Shepherds watched, angels sang and wise men traveled far to behold the miracle of the first Christmas. Since that holy night a multitude of legends and customs, both religious and secular, have developed as part of the holi day. Each legend was once told, each custom once observed for the first time and though origins of many traditions are now lost in time, other Christ-*’------------------------------------- mas “firsts” have been record-! Santa Gets His Garb ed for posterity. There are historical Christ From Poem, Cartoon mas “firsts,” attested by the Santa first appeared in his church records and by scientific research into the early years of Christianity, as well as “firsts” of later history and “firsts” that blend fact with myth. * * * Setting the Date Dec. 25 was first assigned as the date for celebration of the Nativity in about the year 320 A.D. Since the New Testament was written as religious instruc tion rather than history, the exact date of Christ’s birth is not known. The present day was selected as a means of unifying the observ ances of Christmas, “the mass of Christ." MARGUERITE'S APPAREL * * ♦ Hanging Stockings Story of the first Christmas stocking is associated with the real St. Nicholas, a fourth century bishop known for his many kind deeds. Wishing to present an anonymous gift to help the daughters of an impoverished merchant, he threw a bag of gold down the chimney, where it fell into a stocking hung up to dry. The legend is reflected in to day’s custom of tucking “gold”— an orange or tangerine—into the toe of a Christmas stocking. • * * it spread by imitation and immi gration to the United States and Canada. The German origin is appro priate, since it was in Germany that the English missionary St. Boniface, formerly a monk named Winfrid, first instituted the dec orated fir tree, a tribute to the Christ Child, as a replacement for the sacrifices made to the oak, which was sacred to the pagan now-traditional guise as a plump, god Odin. jovial, white - bearded and pipe A holly tree grows 15 years be smoking old gentleman—“a right jolly old elf”—in the poem, “A fore it produces, but its life may Visit from St. Nicholas," written be as long as 125 years. by Dr. Clement C. Moore in 1822. Earlier, “Santeclaus” had been pictured dressed as a bishop, in a book called “The Children’s Friend,” and in Washington Irv ing’s “Knickerbocker History of New York,” published in 1809, Santa was said to wear a broad brimmed hat and huge breeches. Even Dr. Moore’s poem did not, apparently, clothe Santa in a red suit. “He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot,” says the poem. Santa as he looks today was first sketched by Cartoonist Tho mas Nast in 1869. The cartoon showed Santa in his familiar red garb, smoking a pipe. ROASTING PEACOCK Roast peacock was a Yule deli cacy in medieval England. An early recipe directs careful remo val of the peacock’s head and skin so that the roast bird can be sewn back into it before serving. IN GERMANY For German children the Christ mas season begins with the hang ing of a calendar showing a paint ed house, on Dec. 1. Doors and windows of the house often hide pieces of candy. Trimmed Christmas trees : first appeared in the U. S. probably during the American Revolution. from Coolidge’s native state, Ver Hessian soldiers with the British mont. In the following year, Coolidge forces started the practice to re lieve their nostalgia for their presided at a ceremony under the sponsorship of the American For homeland. An early diary, written at Fort estry association, to urge the use Dearborn, Ill., in 1304 relates the of living Christmas trees. * * * practice of trimming the Christ mas tree with ornaments of the time. Traditionally, the first Christ • * * mas feast in England was held at the Round Table of King Arthur. The first national community While the specific date is unde Christmas tree in the U. S. was termined, references to the fam placed on the White House lawn ous king in medieval legends in 1923 while Calvin Coolidge was have been traced back to as early President. The tree was a spruce as 600 A.D. Trimming Trees At the Round Table At the White House May a wreath of good fellowship and happiness be round you and yours during this Holiday Season... this is our most sincere wish. Nyssa Insurance Agency RALPH LAWRENCE ft 4» I ft I ft 4» Si 4» ft 4» s s s ft « s O?any thanks for your loyal friendship and patronage. If good wishes were •nowflakes, we’d snow you under a blizzard of thetu! Have • wonderful holiday season! I Eastman Insurance Agency > i May we just - C^^take a moment to express our g'at- ‘ itude for your patron age. The wish of all of here is that you and you.s enioy enjoy t the merriest of holidays. OWYHEE DRUG ft 4> 1 § 41 ft s ft 4» ft 4» « £ Fraternal Order of Eagles NYSSA AERIE « ar I ar ft ■ i ar
