Yule Is Time For Customs
As the world grows smal
ler, Christmas observances in
different countries grow more
similar. Santa Claus in red suit
and white beard drives his
reindeer-drawn sleigh to North,
Central and South America
and to many other countries as
well.
In fact, when the first ex
plorer lands on Mars, he
shouldn't be to surprised to
discover that Santa, and even
Rudolph, got there first.
Sharing of Christmas cus
toms, however, only serves to
point up the fact that this is
a holiday for everyone, and a
holiday which draws ideas
from all lands and times, smit
ing them in both religious and
secular observances of the
season.
In Mexico
Celebrating the posada is a
Mexican custom focused on the!
Nativity.
“Posada” means “lodging” or
“inn,” and for the nine “pos
ada” days from December 16
to 25, churches, hotels, social
groups and families through
out Mexico act out the story of
the Nativity.
A procession of pilgrims
comes to the place where the
celebration is scheduled. They
carry clay figures of Mary and
Joseph, and they seek shelter
from the “innkeepers” within.
At first the innkeepers re
fuse, then they admit the pil
grims to feast and rejoice, Fig
USE CAUTION ON
ALASKA HIGHWAY
Motorists planning a holiday
trip to the South 48 are advised
to drive with caution due to
slippery conditions, typical for
this time of year, in all sections
of the Alaska Highway, and
are requested to carry tire
chains, according to the Decem
ber highway condition bulletin
of the Alaska state highway
department.
Sanding operations are in
progress wherever necessary.
Warm clothing should be car
ried as a precaution against
vehicle breakdown during the
winter months.
ures representing Mary and
Joseph are placed in a replica
of the manger. On Christmas
Eve, the figure representing
Jesus is added.
In Holland
Gifting season in Holland
traditionally begins on Decem
ber 5 and is called “Strooi
vand” or “stewing night.”
Children place their shoes by
the fireplace, filled with car
rots and hay for St. Nicholas’
horse—in the expectation that
on the morrow the shoes will
contain candy, fruits and toys.
In Scotland
Christmas feast favorites in
Scotland include shortbread a
rich cake or cookie, and hangis,
a kind of pudding. New Year’s
Eve, or Hogmanay, is the prin
cipal day for gifts and greet
ings, when children go singing
Ringing bells in churches,
for solemn and glad cere
monial occasions, goes back
to about 7 A.D.
In early Britain church
bells tolled for an hour on
Christmas Eve, announcing
to Satan the coming of
Christ. At midnight, joyous
peals heralded Christ's birth.
from house to house, in hopes j
of a treat. New Year’s visits are '
paid—and it’s customary for 1
the visitor to bring along a
pocketful of coal.
In Portugal
Christmas is the occasion for
a family celebration among the
Portuguese. Families gather on
Christmas Eve for dinner at
the home of the oldest living
relative. After the children
have gone to bed, a crib or
creche is placed before the fire
place, and around it are group
ed the children’s shoes, which
serve the same function as
Christmas stockings.
In Brazil
Papa Noel makes the Christ
mas Eve rounds in Brazil, in a
reindeer-drawn sleigh. He
trims the trees with popcorn
and bits of cotton — to make
up for the snow that never
falls. Since Christmas weather
in Brazil is summery, picnics
and boating excursions are part
of the celebration.
In Germany
Many modern Christmas cus
toms come from Germany, in
cluding the lighted evergreen
tree. Approximately, gift-choos
ing season in West Germany
today starts after Christmas
bonuses are distributed on De
cember 1.
0 Come, All
Ye Faithful
k
As you observe this
Christmas in the
tracfitiom of your
faith, may joy abido
with you.
GLACIER COLD STORAGE
the McKenzie family
Anyway You Say If,
Merrv Christmas"
n
n
With the world so travel
conscious, it’s little wonder
thatthe practice of communi
cations has broadened in re
cent times. Then too, distances
in this modern jet-age have
shrunk, and it isn’t at all un
common to hear youngsters
talk about their jaunts abroad
as though the places they visit
ed were within a stone’s throw.
That being the case, the abil
ity at this time of the year to
say “Merry Christmas” in
many languages would seem in
order. Therefore what follows
are a few ways you can greet
your friends from foreign
lands:
Bohemia, Vesele Vanoce;
Bulgaria, Chestita Koleda;
Croatian, Sretan Bojic; Den
mark, Glaedelig Jul; Wales,
Nadolig Llawen; Ukrania,
Srozhdestvom Krisovym; Span
ish speaking countries, Feliz
Navidad Portuguese (Portugal,
Brazil) Boas Festas; Poland,
Weselych Swiat; Italy. Buone j
Feste Natalizie: Germany, Fro
eliche Wienachten; France,
Joyeux Noel; Ireland, Nodlaig
Mhaith Chugnat.
The above, of course, are
just a few ways of saying
“Merry Christmas” in foreign
tongues, nor would we attempt
top renounce them. But any
way, anywhere in the Christ
ian world the spirit of Christ
mas exists and when offered
with sincerity is instantly un
derstood no matter what the
language.
So-“Merry Christmas To
All.”
WE EXTEND OUR FOND WISHES
FOR A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS DAY
i
VALLEY PEOPLES STORE
PI 5-3395
Palmer
WRITING CAROLS
Men from many wanes of life
have contributed to the Christ
mas chorus of carols. Francis 1
Scott Key was not only a law
yer and the author of the Star ■
Spangled Banner; he also wrote
;arols And the comedian. Har
x) Marx, authored a carol now
;ung in many churches, “Guar
lian Angels.”
Tis Time 7 \ to Sing'
of Joy J and Cheer
and to send Greetings to
You, Our Friends so Dear
THE CARLSON FAMILY
WASILLA COLD STORAGE
and
MEAT MARKET
' We pray that the joy
and peace which was
given to the world at
Hi3 Birth will abide
■
\
in your heart forever.
MMRS EQUIPMENT 60MPJWY
PALMER
"T 47
' 1 : ^
With gratitude for your friendship
and the loyal support you’ve given
us, we extend our heartiest wishes
that you have a very Merry Christmas.
EVERETT MOTORS
PI 5-3800
PALMER
r
May the Christmas belis ring in for you
true joy beyond all measure—the kind of
joy that your heart will forever treasure.
PIGGLY WIGGLY
DUTCH MILL BAKERY
ys
lem.