The Daily Banner, Greencastle, Putnam County, 22 December 1964 — Page 26
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MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL Little But Legend Pagan Feasts Are Known About Visit Source Of Custom
Of Three Wise Men
To yon and yours, oar beartfett thanks and.'a happy holidav!
Yourfaithfo!
patronage has Thg ^ <hu 1 Tiwtmas hpp* 1 ^- WHITE LAUNDRY & CLEANERS 309 NORTH JACKSON STREET
Many legends have developed around the visit of the three wise men to adore the Infant Jesus. Even their number is legendary. St. Matthew, the only book in the New Testament that refers to the visit, reports that wise men came from the east, without stating how many there were. It was not until later, in a legend which can be traced back to the second century, that they were called “kings,” according to The Encyclopedia Americana. In even later times, they were distinguished as Melchior, Gas* par of Casper, and Belthasar. The myth originally stood for the priestly caste of the ancient Persian Zoroastrian religion. As the religion moved westward, it i came in contact with Babylonian beliefs and practices, and derived a strong interest in asr trology, demonology and magic. By the time it reached the Graeco-Roman world, it was practically identical, in the popular view, with astrology and magic. This explains the use of the term “wise men” by St. Matthew, since they were as- , trologcrs..
Legend Of Old 1$ Retold
A legend that goes back five hundred years or more tells us of Joseph as an old man walking with his young bride in a cherry garden. When she tells him of the visits by the angel, Joseph becomes suspicious and refuses to pick cherries for his wife. Upon Mary’s request the branches of the tree bend over graciously for her. Joseph is stricken with remorse and asks forgiveness.
Most of the customs now associated with Christmas were originally pagan or non-Chris-tian, according to The Encyclopedia Americana. Saturnalia a Roman feast celebrated in mid-December provided the model for many of the merry-mak-ing customs of Christmas. From this celebration, for example, were derived the elaborate feasting, the giving of gifts and
the burning of candles.
Lights also played an important part in most winter solstice festivals. An obscure figre in early mythologies of the East emerged as a sun god. From the 1st century B. C. this figure, Mithras, was adopted by an increasing number of Roman soldier, and others., Mithras' greatest festival was
Almonds In Menu A dish of lightly salted, gold-
that of the winter solstice, the | time when the god began to re-
turn to his worshippers.
In the 5th century the West- , , .r
^ en brown almonds adds a fes-
ern church ordered a feast tj ve nole holiday dinners. Becelebrating the birth of the cause almonds pick up flavors Savior to be observed on the f r o m other nuts easily, these
delicately-flavored nuts are best
day of the Mithraic rites of the birth of the sun and at the close
of the Saturnalia.
Among the German and Cel-
if you buy them' blanched and uncooked, and toast them your-
self.
To toast almonds, fill a small
tic tribes the winter solstice frying P an with aboul one - mch
of olive oil. Saute almonds in
was considered an important hot oi , to brown evenly , u . atch . point of the year and to com- nig that the oil does not bevonie memorate the return of the sun too hot. they held their chief festival of Remove nuts with a slotted Yule, which, like other Pagan spoon and place on several celebrations, became adapted thicknesses of absorbent Kin nto Christmas. ex paper towels. Salt immed-
iately After about 15 minutes
The Teutonic 1 ule feast also transfer nuts to a fresh towel ptovided customs for the Christ- ^ and salt again. When thoroughmas festivities, such as thejly cooled, store the nuts in a
Yule log and wassail bowl.
i covered jar until ready to use.
tliis HoIiJou oj^reat Joij and Happiness
i •
to all of you from all of as
Christina
Merry
BLACK LUMBER CO.
501 NORTH INDIANA STREET
AH
tjour Glmsltnas
be richly filled with the
spiritual blessings that come as our thoughts turn to a Holy Night when herald angels sang in triumphant joy, and a Star shown with radiance that endures eternally. May you find, in the miracle of the manger, a deep Christinas happiness and contentment that surpasses all others.
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS from all the employees at TDRR’S RESTAURANT JUNCTION OF 40 & 231 5 MILES SOUTH OF GREENCASTLE