Image provided by: Nyssa Public Library; Nyssa, OR
About Nyssa gate city journal. (Nyssa, Or.) 1937-199? | View Entire Issue (Dec. 21, 1967)
THURSDAY. DECEMBER 11. 1967 THE NYSSA GATE CITY JOURNAL, NYSSA, OREGON PAGF TWH VF Yule Greens Set Scene For Festivity From the welcoming wreath on the door to the Christmas tree glowing with lights and bedecked with packages, from the cheery poinsettia plant on the mantel or table to the sprig of mistletoe with its promises of kisses and laughter, greens and plants set the scene for holiday enjoyment. Many of the greens now used for Christmas decorations once adorned pagan rites, and were credited by the ancients with certain mystical powers and virtues. Today, using greens has be come holiday custom, regard less of religious or symbolic significance. About Trees Perhaps the most common use of holiday greens is seen in the lively, decorated Christ mas trees. One belief is that the first Christmas tree was a palm tree brought from Egypt. The 12 parts of the palm were supposed to represent the 12 apostles, according to the edi tors of the Encyclopedia Amer icana. The use of pine and cedar Yule trees is generally thought to be of German derivation. The introduction of the ever green Christmas tree came to English-speaking peoples after the mariage of Victoria of Eng land to the German prince, Albert. IN HOLIDAY LEGEND What’s a robin doing on a Christmas card? More familiar as a harbinger of spring, bob bing along with a fat worm in his mouth, the robin is never theless a centuries-old Christ mas symbol. And one of the earliest Christmas cards, a 100-year-old English greeting, features an illustration of a robin on a snowbank. Because legend says the rob in played a vital part in the first Christmas, Yuletide dec orations and cards have long celebrated the cheery red breast. This year’s crop of Christmas cards included an assortment of robin designs, many depicting the bird at the manger scene. One card published for this year featured a retelling of the robin legend, reports Mrs. Jeannette Lee, design director for Hallmark cards. According to the legend, the Holy Family was not alone in taking refuge in the stable at Bethlehem. Perched on a rafter, a small brown robin watched as the three Magi pre sented their girts to the new born Christ Child. The robin seemed to under stand that something wondrous was happening. Arter the de parture of the Magi, when the Holy Family was asleep, the robin noticed that the stable rtre was dying. Only a few Mistletoe Manic Ancient followers of the Druid religion were the first to regard mistletoe as a sacred plant, say the editors of The New Book of Knowledge. They sup posed it to have panacean vir tues in warding off everything from witches to disease. Each year, about the time Christmas is celebrated today, there was a ceremonial rite in which Druid priests, using a golden sickle, cut the mistletoe leaves from the "sacred oak” and distributed them amongst ' Good ANTIQUE CHRISTMAS CARD INSPIRED BY robin legend was designed by Jonathan King in London in 1867. The robin wears a red vest because he fanned the embers of the stable fire, to keep the Christ Child warm, legend says. The well-preserved greeting, a century-old this year, is from the Hallmark Historical Collection. coals smoldered. In a valiant attempt to re vive the flickering embers, the robin swooped down to fan the fire. Hovering above the coals, he flapped his wings, fanning the embers to life. As the fire burned brighter, flames singed the robin’s breast, scorching his brown feathers a brilliant red gold. Through the night he fanned friendship has been so heartwarming during the year. the fire to keep theChildwarm. Ever since, the robin has worn a red vest, symbolizing his gin. As a Christmas symbol, the robin embodies the spirit of giving. Like the Magi, the robin gave a precious gift, and he gave it at the cost of personal sacri fice. Thus the robin’s girt sug gests the deeper meaning--the giving of one’s self--the legend notes. the people. Kinging Helis The Saxons also valued this Among the merry sights and plant; they were the first to call it mistletoe. Tothem, mis sounds of Christmas, none is tletoe symbolized everlasting merrier than the ringing of bells. peace. Since earliest times, the pealing of bells has announced For Decorations important events, both happy Not all peoples use living and sad. The first use of bells greenery in their festive holi to call Christians to worship day decor. In Scandinavia, took place, it’s believed, at where greenery is symbolic of Christmas in Italy, about 400 mourning, people use bright colored papers, ribbons, Tradition once held that fringes, fancy balls, sweet Christ was born exactly at mid meats, flowers and fruits for night. In medieval Britain, Yule decorations. church bells tolled sadly during the hour before midnight on Christmas Eve. On the stroke of 12 , a joyous pealing announced the Miracle of Christmas. Today, church-spire bells and carillons ring out the glad tidings of Christmas. Ì ... and many thanks la all you wonderful people whose .ending your Holiday this he the merriest of Yuletides for you and yours ARROWHEAD MOTEL MUIR-ROBERTS CO., Inc. J. C. WATSON CO 971 a y thia Christmas bring every happiness to all of our many friends... (Jt’s good to greet our friends and neighbors at this happy holiday season. And it’s good to know that we have so many loyal friends and patrons. We value your good will, and cherish the privilege of serving you. Sincere thanks. PIONEER FEDERAL SAVINGS and LOAN ASSOCIATION Ontario . . . Oregon I J Brownie’s Cafe & Lounge DR. K. E. KERBY DR. KEN PFAFF DR. K. À. DANFORD
