Newspapers / The Charlotte Labor Journal … / Dec. 17, 1942, edition 1 / Page 4
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cw^PflCld -ZkcaiArit ofJwt "Here is the living tree with no stain of blood upon it, that shall be the sign of your new worship. Let us call it the tree of the Christ Child. You shall go no more into the shadows of the forest to keep your secret rites of shame. You shall keep them at home with laugh ter and song and rites of love.” This is a statement attributed to St. Boniface, the English-born apos tle of Germany who had saved • young child from sacrifice in the early days when Thor was wor shipped by the Germanic peoples. The tree the Saint referred to was a young fir, growing nearby. Such is just one of the many sto ries connected with the origin of the Christmas tree. The origin of the Christmas tree custom is ob scure, notes Dr. Donald Bond, in structor in Eng lish at the Uni versity of Chica go, for he can quote aumoriues Claiming tne Christmas tree’s origin in France, Scandinavia, Egypt, England and also Germany. Only one of all the legends con nects the Christ Child with the Christmas tree. This story goes back to the manger at Bethlehem where trees from all over the world had come to do honor to the new born babe. Very little attention was paid to the diminutive fir by the other more beautiful, statelier, and majestic trees. Suddenly, though, star upon star fell upon the little fir until it shone with all the bril liance of heavenly light. A Scandinavian tale of woe traces the Christmas tree to that land. Two star-crossed, unhappy lovers dra matically died. From the spot where they died, it is related, a tree grew which on Christmas night gleamed with brilliant lights. German immigrants to the United States in 1843 are said to have intro aucea me aeco rated Christmas tree. According to claims of his torians, the prac tice of decorating the tree at Christ mas time origi noted in Alsace in 1605. At that time me nauves orougnt nr trees into I their homes and decorated them with homemade decorations and sweets. Despite the origin of the Yuletide tree, the sale of trees has developed into an extensive, profitable busi ness. Likewise, tree furnishings be coming an enormous business in it self. From records available, it has been learned that over 111,000,000 electric Christmas tree bulbs were sold in America every year. Pos sibly the amount will not be as large this year as last, but you can be sure that Americans will have their Christmas tree with decora tions and lights on them. CHRISTMAS QUIZ 1. If'here do children receive Christmas gifts from a camel? 2. What famous Christmas character originated in America? 3. If you leant a Christmas tree that drops rts needles early, what kind would you select? 4. What important event took place on Christmas day almost two thousand years ago? 5. When was Christmas pro claimed a national holiday? 6. Where did the early Chris tians obtain their Christmas trees? 7. What is the most widely knotvn Christmas story ever writ ten? ANSWERS To Christmas Quiz 1. Syria. The youngest of the three camels bearing the Wise Men distributes the gifts. 2. Santa Claus. The Dutch wrought St. Nicholas (Sint Nib lass) to America where he was gradually transformed into San ta Claus. S. Spruce. The Fir holds its needles the longest. 4. Christ was born. 5. There are no “national holi days” in the United States. The Federal government proclaims holidays only for federal em ployees. 6. Early Christians didn’t have any. Christmas trees weren’t used generally nntil the 16th cen tury. 7. With the exception of the Bible accounts of the birth of Christ, Dickens' “Christmas Carol” is the most widely known Christmas story. VYkhhy CktoAJtmaA. BtSESSEffll SEASON’S GREETINGS QUEEN CITY TRAILWAYS Owned and Operated by THE QUEEN CITY COACH CO. Season’s Greetings to N. C. Labor " Eagle Roller Mill Company SHELBY, N. C. “Carolina’s Finest Flour” CAROLINA MADE < L J3> SEASON’S GREETINGS TO LABOR HEADQUARTERS FOR UNION-MADE MERCHANDISE BELK-STEVENS CO. Shelby's Shopping Center” YES, there IS a Santa Claus. There were times during this year of 1942 when we had begun to doubt it, and no doubt YOU had begun to doubt it, but now, when the Christmas spirit steals over the land we know that the Christmas story is true and that Santa Claus will come again, as he has always done. And so, with this cheering thought, we wish you a Merry Christmas. * « * Kit? ON WAt IONOS AN© : a *MKL.LOW LIGHT—the distinctive and truly refreshing Ruppert flavor. Only the use of choicest ingredients—only unhurried aging made possible by Ruppert’s tre mendous storage facilities—only knowledge gained by 75 years’ experience in the fine art of brewing could produce and preserve such a satisfying flavor. You couldn’t ask for better beer. smatf^say.- AfARE AA/AfE Distributors ORANGE CRUSH DOUBLE COLA BOTTLING CO. GASTONIA. N. C. Disillusioned Santa Reveals Everything In Last Appearance PHILADELPHIA, PA.—“I’m tired now. In fact, every year around this time I’m very tired.” That is what Santa Claus (a professional one though, for the real one doesn’t ever get tired) had to say recently as he was taking off his red and white suit, preparatory to going home. As he pulled off his white whiskers wearily, he continued: “Besides, this business of being a jolly old fellow is highly seasonal work. Just a couple of weeks’ work in Decern* ber, then something ovef 11 months' vacation. It is a good thing I am an electrician. I’d possibly starve to death.” (The kids should have heard such heresy!) A few seconds followed while he put on his dark green knit tie be* fore he continued his slightly weary talk: “It was all right at first and the pay was good—$4 for a party appearance or a club or a lodge. Or $2 for a private home call. But I guess I can’t take it anymore. Any how, the kids won’t miss me. (Imag ine that, the kids not missing Santa Claus!) Comes next year there will be ona ex-Santa who isn’t filling stockings, and putting presents under trees, or telling pop to take it easy with son’s electric train. That retired Santa will be just sitting in his own home—not, definitely not, at tha North Pole—listening to the Christ mas carols on the radio, and wig gling his toes. For his shoes will be off. Christmas Stories Revealed by History Fortunately, thi “idea” in the minds of some to tell the truth to the kiddies—that there isn't a San ta Claus—isn’t catching on as well as they hoped. Everybody—and this Includes the kids—enjoys a good story, especial ly around the Christmas season. Down through the years have come many beautiful stories, jammed with the kindness of the best in hu manity. It is from such stories that many of our Christmas customs have come. For the observance of such customs the United States is indebted to many lands. Palestine, Egypt, Turkey, Italy, Germany, England and Holland all have done their bit to contribute to our added enjoyment of Christmas customs and traditions. To the Holy Land, more than any other, all civiliza tion is indebted for the matchless history of the Christ child One writer who has investigated the observance of the birth of the Christ Child has noticed one curi ous fact. That is, Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the church. Irenaeus and Tertul lian, early church fathers, omitted it from the list of feasts. According to what Origen noticed in the Bible, only sinners, not saints, celebrated their birthday. It was in the year 200 A. D. that evidence of the feast of Christmas was first noted. This was in Egypt. And it wasn’t until years afterwards | that December 25 was decided upon as being the date for the celebra tion of Christ’s birthday. During that time Christmas was celebrated on various days, one of the dates being as late as May 20. Eight hun dred years after the first feast of Christmas, church authorities used the term Christes Maessi, from which comes the English word Christmas. This was in 1038. Ancient Yule Customs Still Live in England Many ancient customs prevail in England at Christmas, according la present day, records. One custom that goes back to Saxon times is still ob served at Okehampton, Devon. Here m “market" is held the Sunday after Christmas at which a man may speak to or kiss any girl who lakes hit fancy. Mistletoe definitely is not necessary. In the village of Cam on the day after Christmas the poor are again re membered. For, according to the will of Margaret Trotman, one of Cam’s former citizens, any parishioner it en titled to the gift of a loaf of bread. Also, the first SO widows who apply are given money. Chinese Copy Custom Chinese children start Christmas day by folding their hands on aris ing and wishing each other a good da> before opening a single gift. The Chinese have adopted American Christmas customs.
The Charlotte Labor Journal and Dixie Farm News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Dec. 17, 1942, edition 1
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