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_ Our Christmas a Product of Many Customs White wafers, representing the Holy Eucharist, were affixed to them. Later these were replaced with heartâ€"shaped biscuits, bells, Christmas tree decorations date from mediaeval Germany, where they were used on paradise trees or trees of life in nativity plays. The last custom originated durâ€" ing the Second World War when Norwegions defied Uâ€"boat patrols to deliver the Christmas symbol to their exiled King Haakon. Nowadays these symbols have taken on an international good. will flavor. New York‘s Fifth Avenue sports a Canadian Christâ€" mas tree gift each year. Paris does the same with a Swiss gift, as does London, England, with Norway‘s contribution. Germans emigrating to Amerl. ca. and Hessian mercenaries in~ volved in the American revoluâ€" tion introduced them this side of the Atlantic. Today, a mile of road in Pasaâ€" dena, Calif., is known as Christâ€" mas Tree Lane. Trees, planted 100 years ago. are decorated and lighted each Â¥Yuletide. becoming one of that state‘s greatest tourâ€" ist attractions. Martin Luther is credited with introducing the former as indoor decorations. Their popularity was at its height in early 17th cenâ€" tury Germany, where Strasbourg was renowned for its gigantic trees, adorned with paper roses, fruits, nuts and candies. Children 7 5¢ Since then a wealth of custom. tradition and legend has grown up around the season. Among the most widespread are the use of Christmas trees and cards. Christmas is not the oldest Christian festival, but popularityâ€" wise it is away ahead. It wasn‘t until 330 that Rome replaced the preâ€"Christian celeâ€" bration of the winter solstice or birthday of the unconquered sun with that of Christ‘s nativity. O‘ The Moon Wed., Dec. 27 1:30 â€" 3:30 â€" 7:30 WEST Tiec Blayney of Waterlon Cook‘s Pharmacy. Forest Hill Pharmacy Stan Echel Drugs Lillhans Youth Fashions George Kadwell Records Kitchenerâ€"Waterloo Collegiate Kitchenerâ€"Waterloo Little Theatre and the Auxiliary presents Their Annual Christmas production FOR CHILDREN EAST for ke ‘ The Sun special ts call at L grougp 745â€"3331 B x Adults 1125 office Jesuit Father John de Brebeuf is credited with writing the first North American carol. He put the story of Christ‘s nativity to verse for his Huron converts and put it to music of a 15thâ€"century French tune. He adapted the Gospel story to the customs and language of the Indians. Accordingly, he deâ€" seribed shepherds as hunters and gold, frankincense and myrrh as fox and beaver pelts. The stable became a lodge of When served, the "baby" was removed and the manger caten with glee by children. The first 50 printed sold at a shilling each. By 1866 they were selling as low as two pence and sales were in the millions. Turkey as a Christmas dish first gained popularity in the New â€" World. Mince pies were originally served as an object of devotion. They were made in oblong form to represent a manger. A depression was made on this, and in it was placed a figure of the Infant Jesus. The centre showed a family seated at a sumptious banquet, while both side panels depicted the poor receiving food and cloâ€" thing. John Calcott Horsicy designed the first Christmas card in 1846 for English publisher Sir Henry Cole. The size of a visiting card, it had three treilis bordered panâ€" els. stars and angels, and eventually by today‘s ornaments. It is the Magi. rather than Santa Claus, who bears gifts for the young in some Mediterranâ€" ean and Asiatic countries. Then it takes place on the Epiphany, Jan. 6. â€" Children in the Netherlands use many ruses to halt Father Christmas‘ reindeer flight across the sky, such as tempting his chargers with carrots or straw, placed in their shaoes. Santa was supposedly introducâ€" ed to the Amecrican continent by Clement Moore. author of The Night Before Christmas. Christmas _ crackers _ evolved from 19th century Parisian conâ€" fectionery called bonbons. An English baker included little love messages inside gifts, wrapped prettily like the bonbons, and later inserted a detonating strip. German and Dutch children reâ€" ceive gifts on Dec. 5, the feastâ€" day of St. Nicholas, Santa Claus‘ forerunner. The latters‘ name is a corruption of the formers‘ Dutch name. Some of his Huron friends escaped to Lorette, Que. There in 1890, Paul Tsaouenhohi or chieftain Vuiture Eye, who later took the name Paul Picard, transâ€" lated it to French and called it Jesus Est Ne, or Christ Is Born. Father de Brebreuf called it Jesous Ahatonhia, and heard it sung for the last time at Christâ€" mas, 1648. He was martyred on March 16 the following year. broken bark, and swaddling bands were called a rabbitâ€"skin robe. In France, many families make their own crib, and each child is given a lamb, which is moved backwards or forwards in the days before Christmas, dependâ€" ing on the behavior of the little owner. Great competition often results, with the child, whose lamb first reaches the Baby Jesus, receivâ€" ing an award. in rural Ireland. lighted canâ€" dles twinkle from every window In Spain, a pair of castanets is the gift most often requested. â€" Waterioo Chronicia, Woednesdsy, December 20, 1967 % WAGNER â€" LELAND and ROBBINS & MYERS ELECTRIC MOTORS 11 Church St. East, Elmira Ph. MOhawk 9â€"3366 Sunbeam or Stewart Cattle Clipper Parts and Repairs Distributor For Vâ€"Belt Drives and Pulleys, Custom Built Exhaust Fans 12" â€" 36", Direct and Belt Driven With or Without Shutters. AUTHORIZED DEALER REWINDING â€" SALES & REPAIRS FRED C. MILLER And in 1770, a Lo ~ ~ baronet was served a Chris, pie, into which had gone two bushels of flour, 20 pounds of butter, four geese, two turkeys, two rabbits, four wild ducks, two woodcocks, six snipes, four partridges, two beef tongue. seven blackbirds and six pigeons. The 17â€"course affair led off with the solemn entry of a boar‘s head, followed by boilgd capon, boiled beef, roast beef tongue, roast pig. roast beef. roast goose, roast swan, roast turkey, mince pies, venison, stuffed kid and olive pie. Then priests in hiding emerged to say Mass for their congrega tions. A lighted candle in a winâ€" dow denoted safety, as well as providing. guidance and welcome for the fugitives. And for those who think Christmases aren‘t what they used to be, the menu of mediâ€" eval English nobleman gives con f{irmation. of every Irish home on Christ mas Eve. The custom is thought to have originated during days of religious persecution. When soldiers demanded exâ€" planations they were told the lisghts were for Joseph, Mary and the infant Jesus, who were exâ€" pected to reâ€"enact the first Christâ€" mas. and were being offered the hospitality of the home in lieu of the welcome denied them in Bethlehem. It was deemed a harmless suâ€" perstition by the soldiery and was not suppressed, so the peoâ€" ple were able to worship with out fear of capture.