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