The Independent-News, Volume 92, Number 30, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 22 December 1966 — Page 7

The Origin Os Christmas Customs While the exact origin of the practice of kissing under the mistletoe is not known, there are several popular stories about it. The Drutds of ancient Britain paid It more than lip-service - they thought it could heal disease, neutralize poisons, and protect against witchcraft! They wore charm bracelets and rings made <->f mistletoe, and fastened the plant over their doorways to ward off evil spirits. A Scandinavian tale involves S 9^ JJ $ * R AMERKY ; « | CHRISTMAS | । * ...to all our | friends. Have a * happy holiday! * 3 Walz § x Appliance Store x $ Walkerton w R *»»»»»»»»»»»

£B B B B ■ ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ ■ ■H M : 1 I' " jßace l i'i : :JJ . onJarth : ■ ‘ *”'- ^^7=^ May the Star of " ■ ■ Bethlehem lead us to good will among all nations! ” Walkerton Medical Clinic » 5 BBlrß B BB B B B B^B B B B sBBBBBBBteI L « BB B feß 888888888 BM_BB BB B F • HBQBKB HQ : ■Hi ^Q^E i ^JOY TO ALL! : ■ Warm greetings to the most wonderful B ■ people in the woxid.ee our patrons! ■ 2 23 Drive Inn ; ■ North Liberty a ® Myrtle and Jack ■ —_ i

!• rigga, the goddess of love and beauty. Researchers report that Frigga first made mistletoe an emblem of love and granted some lucky man a kiss beneath its branches - beginning a smacking good custom. Os course, the Christmas tree is a center of attraction in most homes during the Yule season - a place of honor, incidently, solidly rooted in history. For thousands of years before Christ's birth, evergreen trees were revered by German tribesmen as symbols of immortality. When the pagans were converted to Christianity, they transferred their feelings for the evergreen to the new' religion. The first person to put lights on a Christmas tree was Martin Luther. Walking home one night shortly before Christmas, the Reformation leader felt a strong tie between the starry night and the love of God. At home, he placed candles on a little evergreen tree to help his children experience the same wonder of God's heavens. The custom grew and spread through Northern Europe, then to America. Although the custom of decorating the Christmas tree didn't originate in America, the practice of playing; Christmas music with feet did begin here - less than a century ago. Player-piano enthusiasts pumped out such favorites as. “Silent Night" and "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem”. Today, with the help of modem players that can be foot powered nr used as a regular piano by the advwnpllshod, the custom is having a thrilling comeback in thousands of homes across the country. And why not? It doesn't take long for a Pianola to become the center of your Christmas festivities. The time-honored feeling of tog therncss is fostered by friends and family gathered around a modern player, singing any one of dozens of universally loved Chr -itmas songs along with hundreds of other music roll fav-

orites. The combination of lively feet and music, continuing today as people play and sing around their player pianos all over the country, began with early "carols". The word ‘carol" means to dance in a ring, and the man who popularized the practice was the beloved St. Francis of Assisi. To bring the Christmas message vividly and directly to his 13th century villagers, most of whom could not read, he arranged a manger scene using real people and animals. When the villagers came to see it, St. Francis led them in joyous celebration - "caroling". About those Christmas stockings: one legend says that the original St. Nicholas - who was a charitable Turkish bishop - taking pity on a man too poor to provide a dowry for his daughters, dropped gold pieces into a stocking hung up by the fire to dry. One of the most recent of the popular Christmas customs is the Christmas card. The first one was sent in 1815 by W. C. Dobson, one of Queen Victoria's favorite painters. Louis Prang of Boston made the first American Christmas cards in 1875, but only during the last 50 years has the practice of sending Yuletide cards become widespread.

< jSBj Plenty of low co.t electric power maLca CLristmas even brighter. 1 L”’ I 1 - I ZZ rr ' I | L^d 1® a '“ 1 1 r\ I? ! I jOABa I T \ Z.tf |Wr ^BttSSSgR [T -w , Egcgjjgl US ^ArrHi . pf M 1< i A Merry Chrutnuu to all. Morthem Indiana of unkf in nipicziizi

DE(. 22, 1966 — THE INDEPENDENT NEWS -

History records many other Christmas customs. But in all lands which celebrate this ancient holiday, the feelings of reverence and joy are the same. Rush Party For DeMolays The Order of DeMolay Chapter of Walkerton held their annual Rush Party for the parents of boys interested in joining the Order, at the Temple. Tuesday evening. Dec. 13. Guest speakers were Glen Hall. South Bend, of the Northern District DeMolay Council, who gave an inspiring talk on youth organizations. He stated that the DeMolay organization is thr third largest boys group in the world. He gave a history, its purpose and rewards of the DeMolay organization. Sgt. Tim McCarthy, of the Indiana State Police Department, showed and narrated slides on Safety. Marvin Williams is DeMolay "Dad for the l<K - al chapter; Lloyd Knowlton is Master Councilor, and Alfred Drews is chairman of the local board. "Dad” Williams reports that seven boys filled out applications for membership into the Order. The Chapter's next regular meeting was held December 19, with election of officers.

Refreshments were served doing the sixial hour by Mrs. Joseph De.m Knowlton Mrs. (' | Gjemre Jr., Mrs. Drews, ;nd Mrs. Marvin Williams. TO OBSEKAE SIL\ER WEDIHNti AN \|\ ERSAK Y Mr. and Mrs. Walter Jacks n, 507 Georgia Street, Walked u, will observe their 25th wvdd anniversary on January 1 w.lh an opi’H house, at their home fr<m 2 to 5 p.m. Mr. Jackson and Mildred Mo Naughton were married Dec. ;i 1941, in the Sunnyside Presbyt i. ian Church m South Bend. 71i« Rev. T. M. Greenhoe officiatisj t the ceremony. The Jacksons have two daughters, Nancy and Marcy Jo, , t home, Mr. Jackson has had big barber shop in Walkerton -i e 1946. No invitations have been i.-^u but friends and relatives are invited to call. BIG DEC ISION Honesty may be the bi 4 p-1-icy, but most people find t.ot cold facts aren’t always the easiest things m life to face. If you wish to be popu’ l ?, can your troubles and prewve your good disposition.

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