CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS
ADVENT WREATH
A wreath of evergreens with
four candles, two red and two
wrhite placed in it. One candle is
lighted before the evening meal on
the first Sunday in advent, or
four Sundays before, Christmas.
This candle is extinguished after
the meal is finished. The second
Sunday evening two candles are
lighted and so on until on the
fourth Sunday and on Christmas
Eve all four candles are lighted.
CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS
APPLES
Because of the presence of ani
mals in the stable when Christ was
born, juicy apple cores are given
to the animals on Christmas in
some countries. Some legends
state that it was an apple tree,
rather than a cherry tree from
which the Virgin Mary picked
fruit. Also used to stuff the boar’s
mouth.
Apples play a great role in
Christmas customs. In parts of
England they are pared and the
peeling taken off in one spiral, is
thrown over the left shoulder.
Tradition has it that the peeling
will form the initial of the person
whom the parer is destined to
marry.
CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS
CANDLES
Before the Christmas era, can
dles were used at the time of the
Saturnalia to light the young pine
tree which sprang up as the Thun
der Oak fell. After Christ’s birth
when the mid-winter festival be
came a celebration of Christ’s
birth, candles were used for many
purposes.
There are several legends cen
tering about the candle which
lighted the way of the lonely child
to the home where He was kindly
received. After leaving the home
some evidence of his identity was
discovered and ever after a light
was placed in the window on
Christmas Eve to light His way
should He return to the home.
In some countries it is the Vir
gin who is guided by the lighted
candle in the window.
Tri-colored candles are some
times used in honor of the Trinity,
one lighted on Christmas Eve, an
other on Christmas Day and the
third on New Year’s Eve.
Candies were used by Martin
Luther on his Christmas tree to
represent the stars shining
through the evergreens in the for
est on Christmas Eve.
Many candles are used in th«
procession on Candlemas Day.
G. MADSEN K. HEDREEN
SEASON’S
POLAR
Bar - Curio Shop - Liquor Store
NOME, ALASKA
JUST
A
GOOD
OLD-FASHIONED
NORTHERN COMMERCIAL COMPANY
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