The Mail-Journal, Volume 28, Number 45, Milford, Kosciusko County, 20 December 1989 — Page 21

Christmas tales from around the world

(EDITOR’S NOTE: The following tales were found in one of the Time-Life series books, "The Book of Christmas. ”) Soon it will be Christmas all over the world. The holiday may mean virtually the same to most cultures, but many will celebrate the season in very different ways. Some countries have monthlong celebrations, others have scattered days throughout November, December and January which they recognize. The following are condensed stories explaining how these celebration-worthy days derived and how they were celebrated: Saint Andrew’s Day November 30, Saint Andrew s Day, was a holiday in Scotland, Central Europe, and Greece. For the Scots, it was a day when squirrels were traditionally hunted and eaten at feasts. Farther south, the eve of the day was one of prophecy, when maidens might see in dreams the men they were to marry. And in Rumania, the eve was the time when the dead were freed and vampires haunted countryside and village. Doorjambs were hung with garlic then to keep the specters away, and no wise person ventured out on the highways, for at the crossroads the ghostly creatures fought among themselves until dawn. Saint Nicholas' Day When the old gods ruled the world. Odin the All-father, rode the skies of Germany and Scandinavia in winter with a crowd of elves and spirits; those mortals who offered him reverence were rewarded with gifts. In later years. Odin’s horse, elves and gifts became the accouterments of a Christian saint named Nicholas. Nicholas lived in Asia Minor. Because he calmed storms at sea during his life, he became the patron of sailors, and because he restored to life three murdered youths, he became the patron of boys. But the most famous tale concerning him was that of three maidens whose impoverished father planned to sell them into slavery. Nicholas redeemed them with three bags of dowry gold, which he flung through their windows one night and which landed on their shoes, set to warm before the fire. For this deed, he became the patron of maidens, and Frenchwomen prayed to him for husbands. He also became the patron ofpawnbrokers,, and his bags of gold are remembered in the three

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golden balls that are the sign of the trade. But gift-giving was his most important act. In Germany and Holland, children set out their shoes on the eve of his feast day, filling them with hay and carrots for his white horse, just as provender had been left for Odin's horse by their ancestors. Nicholas, they knew, would ride over the rooftops in the night with his elfish companion, Knecht Ruprecht. Ruprecht carried a switch for use on naughty young ones. But Nicholas carried baskets of toys and sweets, to be left in the shoes of all good children. Saint Lucia’s Day In the countries of the north, where winter darkness held longest, people's yearning for light found focus on the feast day of Saint Lucia of Sicily, whose very name, they thought, meant light. That day was December 13,

— SB? ■ Hfe fl fl ? RIBBON WITH A REASON — A purple ribbon is hung on the door of the Bethel Church of the Brethren, Milford, to call attention to the human rights violations by the government of El Salvador. Many church leaders of several denominations have been harassed, tortured. and even killed because they have been suspected of being loyal to the rebels. The suspicion is usually based on the fact that they have worked with the poor people and tried to better their conditions. This is regarded as a threat to the few rich landowners and political leaders. Arlie Waggy, Bethel Church board chairman, hangs the ribbon, which not only calls attention to the plight of the poor, but also encourages viewers to contact our leaders and ask them to persuade El Salvador to stop the human rights violations. Our leaders could be encouraged to cut off all military aid to El Salvador, which has been running about a million dollars a day for several years. (Photo by Stacev Lesch)

which in early calendars marked the winter solstice. When calendars were reformed, the solstice fell on December 21. but the feast of Lucia continued to mark the beginning of Christmas in Sweden and Norway. Old folk said that on the eve of the day. Lucia herself might be seen, skimming across the snowfields and frozen lakes, a crown of light upon her hair. In the towns, torchlight processions were held to summon back the luminescence that had withered away. And the daughters of each house rose in the early dark, dressed in white, crowned with wreaths of lingonberry or holly and blazing candles, they would take food and fire to their sleeping elders, singing all the while to mark the morning of Saint Lucia’s Day. The Day Os Solstice From time before memory.

APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN MILFORD Jesse Beer. Nelson Beer Will Schieler and Walter Steffen Ministers Morning Worship 10 a m Afternoon Worship 12 15 p m CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH (Armstrong Road) OSWEGO <■ Roderick V Smith Pastor Sunday School 9 30 a m Morning Worship 10.30 a m Sunday Evening Worship 6 p m Wednesday Prayer Meeting 7pm AWANA Clubs Wednesday 6 15 p m Word of Life Club Vs- tesday 6 15 pm FILADELFIA EVANGELICAL SPANISH ASSEMBLY OF GOD, MILFORD Bi Lingual Services Pastor Alberto Jimenez Sunday School 9 30 a m Sunday. Worship 11am and 6 30 p m Wednesday Bible Study 6 30-p m AWANA Clubs Wed 6 30 p m FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF OSWEGO Rev Roy Mickley Pastor Sunday School 9 30 a m Worship Service 10 30 a m > . i WAWASEE HEIGHTS BAPTIST CHURCH (Across From High School) Jerry Walden Pastor Jim Rodgers, Youth Pastor Doug Smith. S S Supt Sunday School 9 30 am Worship 10 30 a m and 6pm Mid Week Wed 7pm AWANA Clubs Wed 6 30 pm BETHANY CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN <US6) F Wayne Lawson Pastor Morning Worship 9 30 a m Sunday School 10 30 a m Wednesday Activity Night 7 30 BETHEL CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN MILFORD Verne H Leininger Pastor . ArlieWaggy Bd Chm Sunday School 9 30 a m Worship 10 30 a m NEW SALEMCHURCH OF THE BRETHREN (900 N & 200E) Robert Rice Jr Pastor Sunday Bible Study 9 30a m Worship Service 10 30 a m Evening Worship 7pm Bible Study 7pm Wednesday CHURCH OF GOD NORTH WEBSTER Stephen W Fouts Pas’or James Davey Associate Steven Clarke Associate Men's Prave r Breakfast 6 '3oa m Worship Bam Sunday School 9 30 a m Worship Celebration 10 4.5 a m Evening Service ot Praise 6p m

people danced to make magic, and throughout Europe, they danced at the solstice as a defense against the dark. The recollection of those early ceremonies lived on in the form of village sword dances, performed on the shortest of days, December 21. Clothed in elaborate ribboned costumes, men would circle sunwise — from left to right, in the apparent path of the sun — using the swords they bore to form patterns in the air. The most important pattern marked the climax of the dance. It was a six-pointed star, the earthly symbol of the longed-for sun. „ Christmas Eve Christmas Eve was a tifhe for human feasting — and for something else. In Scandinavia, people said, the ghosts of the dead returned in the night to visit the homes they had loved. Their descendants welcomed them. After the meal of the living was finished, food was left for the dead. Then the living retired, so their ancestors might come into the warmth and the light to make their old Christmas revels once more. Christmas Day ' As midnight ushered in the day of Christmas, tranquility descended on all the world, according to the old tales. Even in the darkness, all the birds awoke and sang, and such was the magic of the time that sparrows caroled as sweetly as nightingales. In the morning, men and women who walked into the wildernesses of the world might see all the beasts of field and wood lying placidly together, predator and prey joined for one day to make a peaceable New Year’s Eve In order that the New Year might prosper, the old year — and the spirits released by the solstice season — had to be buried or driven away. In villages from Britian to Austria, the old year — in the’form of a straw dummy called Death — was carried through the streets and then drowned in a stream or buried or burned. But other people in other villages had more high-spirited customs. On NewYear's Eve. costumed and masked as a disguise against malevolent powers, people paraded through their towns, striking the houses with sticks, beating drums, clanging bells and cracking whips. The noise of the ‘‘town rattling." as it was called, drove out the ghosts of the dying old year and brought the New Year safely in.

CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN SYRACUSE D Arnold Naff Pastor Junior Blough. Supt Sunday School 9 30 a m Morning Worship 10.30a m Sunday Bible Study 7pm TURKEY CREEK CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN GRAVELTON Kenneth Swank, Pastor Church School 9 30a m Worship 10 30 a m SAINT MARTIN DE PORRES CATHOLIC CHURCH SYRACUSE Father Richard Urbine Sunday Mass Saturday Mass spm Confession 4 pm. HolyDays7am 5 30pm and 7 p.m. OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH (4th And Main Streets) 0 MILFORD Bro James Linscott. Administrator Sunday Mass 10 30 a m FIRSTCHURCHOF CHRIST SCIENTISTS (175 N. Detroit) WARSAW Sunday School 10a.m Sunday Service 10a m Wednesday 7pm GOSHEN FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST Service 10 30 a m Sunday School 10.30 a m Wednesday Service 7 45 pm Reading Room open Monday, Thursday and Friday. 11 a m to3p.m NORTHERN LAKES CHRISTIAN CHURCH Located 14 cottages east of the Tip pecanoe Country Club. EMS 35. Country Ciub Lane Lake Tippecanoe Thorpe and Karen Mitchell, Pastors Worship Services Sunday 10 a m & 6pm Wednesday 7pm BIBLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH NORTH WEBSTER Lonnie Nicholl. Pastor Sunday School 9 30 a m Worship 10 30 a m & 6 p m CHRISTIAN CHURCH MILFORD Chns Mahan. Senior Minister Brian Wilcox Youth Minister Sunday School 9am Wgrship 10 a m Wednesday Bible Study 7pm CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN NORTH WEBSTER Ralph R Smith Pastor Morning Worship 9 30 a m Sunday School 10 30 a m

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NATIVITY SCENE PAINTED BY MEMBERS — Members of the congregation of Grace Lutheran Church, Syracuse, were able to view the church’s new nativity scene Sunday, Dec. 17. This nativity scene has special meaning to several at the church. The ceramic characters were cleaned and painted by Janice Ed-

Bible class meets at Church of God

The Syracuse Church of God Bible class met Monday. Dec. 18, at the home of Pastor Ron and Mary Bruce. President Lloyd Kammerdiener conducted the business meeting.

Christmas drama to be presented

The Syracuse Church of the Brethren will be presenting a Christmas drama during the 10:30 a m. worship service Sunday. Dec. 24. entitled “A Very Special Baby,” written by Ann S. Hifflet. "A Very Special Baby” is a dramatic interpretation of God’s constant efforts to help his children learn to love and care for each other. The play involves all ages, with the use of • |

CHURCHOF GOD SYRACUSE Ron Bruce Pastor Paul Yeager. S S Supt Sunday School 9 30 a m Morning Worship 10 30 a m Junior Worship 10 30 a m Evening Worship 6 45 pm ALL SAINTS' EPISCOPALCHURCH SOUTH SHORE LAKE WAWASEE Vicar Rev David L Hyndman Holy Eucharist 9am FIRST BRETHREN CHURCH MILFORD Paul Tinkel. Pastor Church School 9 15am Morning Worship 10 30 a m BYC Sunday 6 30 p m Mid Week Worship 7pm GRACE BIBLE CHURCH SYRACUSE Dr David R Haifley, Pastor Sunday School 9 45 a m Morning Worship Ham Sunday Evening Service 7pm Wednesday Evening Service 7pm UNITED METHODIST CHURCH MILFORD Ben Whirledge. Pastor Dan Brown,- Lay Leader Church School 9 15 am Worship 10 30 a m UMYF Sunday 5 30p m Bible Study Wednesday 7pm JEHOVAH'S WITNESS KINGDOM HALL (East Papakeechie Lake Drive) Sunday Public Lecture 9 30a m Watchtower Study 10 30 a m Tuesday, Study of Prophecy 7 30 p m Thursday. Ministry School 7pm CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH (111 W Orange St.) CROMWELL Laraihe Sundin Pastor Sunday School 9am Worship Service ’0 am GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH (200 E Mam St.) SYRACUSE Richard Dunning Pastor Worship 9 15 a m Sunday School ICL 3£>a m TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSOURI SYNOD LIGONIER Don Fischer Pas*O'Divine Service 9am Sunday School & Bible Class 10 20 a m MILFORD CHAPEL Mennonite (East Catherine Street) Arthur Hershbe r Qe r Pastor Amos Ramer. Deacon Sunday School 10 a m Worship Service ■ : a m Sunday Evening Se r y ice 7pm Wednesday Ser\ <e ’ p m

Marilyn Grindle read from Luke 2 and also an article from Ideals, “The Friendlv Beasts" for devotions. Joe and Donna Hibschman was in charge of the program reading two humorous

costumes. Karen Fackler is directing the play. There are over 20 speaking and acting parts with several vocal solos. The children will sing several numbers as a group, using rhythm instruments to accompany. Pastor Earl Hostetter extends an invitation to the public to this special Christmas play. The church is located at 128 W. Main Street.

WAWASEE COMMUNITY CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Ron Blake. Pastor Church School 9 30 a m Worship 10 30a.m. Evening Worship 6 p m r Wednesday Player Meeting 7 p m FREEDOMCHAPEL NON DENOMINATIONAL (Corner Benton & Harrison St.) SYRACUSE Ray Shanklin. Pastor Sunday Worship 10a.m DEWART LAKE COMMUNITY FRIENDSCHURCH (500E and 900 N) DEWART LAKE Lou Herchenroeder. Pastor Sunday School 9am Worship 10a m (Quaker Hall) Kids in Christ Youth Group Thursday, 7 pm. ROCK CHURCH INTERDENOMINATIONAL (13-A A 1050 N, E Lake Wawasee) Rev Sarah M Tuttle, and Dir Gary M Tuttle Pastors Morning Worship 10 am Evening Worship 7 p m Wednesday Bible School 7pm SALEM COMMUNITY CHURCH (I’2 Miles Southeast Os Wilmot) Pastor Kurt B Church Sunday School 9 45 a m Morning Worship 10 30 a m Sunday Evening Service6pm Prayer Bible Study Wednesday T’p.m BURR OAK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Lawrence Byrnes Pastor Sunday School 9 30 a m Worship 10 30 a m SYRACUSE CALVARY UNITED METHODISTCHURCH (SR 13 South) David C Maish Pastor Kim Conrad Church School Supt Sherry Leedy. Youth Worker Church School 9 30 a m Worship Service 8 30 am and 10 40 a m CLUNETTE UNITED METHODISTCHURCH John Bell. Pastor Sunday School 9 30 a m ' | HASTING f ISLANDCHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Gary Lewis Pastor Kendal Bi‘ ! er Sup* Sunday School 9 30 a nf\ Worship 10 30 a m P r aver Meeting Wednesday 7 00 p m UNrTED METHODIST CHURCH LEESBURG Dona'dC Lacy Pastor Morning Worship 9 30 a m Church School 10 30 a m

Wed., December 20,1989 — THE MAIL-JOURNAL

wards, Diane Brumbaugh, Beverly Maresh and Betty Kline. The stable was constructed by Lyle Edwards and Larry Brumbaugh. The nativity scene sits in the front southeast corner of the sanctuary and will be a highlight of the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on Sunday evening at 11 p.m. The public is invited to attend the service. (Photo by Deb Patterson >

articles and also reading "The Priceless Gift of Christmas.” Bob Wolfe closed with prayer and gifts were presented from the class to the teacher, Pauline Firestone, and also to Pastor and Christmas services at U. M. Church A candlelight service will be held Christmas Eve night at the Milford United Methodist Church. Beginning at 9 p.m.. the service will have special music by the adult choir, including a solo of "Oh, Holy Night” by Paul Whirledge. Also, Pastor Ben Whirledge encourages parents to tale their children for the children's message which will be given during the service.

GRACE BRETHREN CHURCH LEESBURG Jeffery Hoffard, Pastor Dennis Reed. Moderator Sunday School 10 50 a m Morning Worship 9 30 a m Fellowship 10 30a m Sunday Evening Worship 6 p m Bible Study. S M M & Boys Club Wednesday 7pm MORRISCHAPEL UNITED METHODIST R. 1, PIERCETON Rev Christine Newman Jacobs Bob Wine, S S Supt Ron Campbell. Ass t S S Supt Sunday School 9 30a.m. Worship 10 30a m UNITED METHODIST CHURCH NORTHWEBSTER O Rex Lindemood Pastor Worships 30a m. and 10 45a m Church School 9 30 a m Senior High Youth Group. Sunday, 6 p m SAINT ANDREW'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SYRACUSE Rev Richard Bunnell Pastor Church School 9 15am Worships 30& 10 25a m UMYF Sunday 6 30p m Communion Wednesday 5 45 p m Bible Study Wednesday 6pm SOLOMON'S CREEK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Harold North Pastor Worship 9am Sunday School 10 a m ZION CHAPEL U.B CHURCH (Corner Syr. Web Rd. and 1000 N) Hubert Schmucker Pastor Vernon Shdltey S S Supt Sunday School9a m Worship 10 am SYRACUSE UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH (Corner Harrison & Pearl St.) Ronald Cox Pastor Sunday School 10 a m Praise and Worship Sunday 6 30 pm Bible Study Thursday 7 30 p m WAWASEE LAKESIDE CHAPEL Harlan Steffen Pastor Mark Pleister Supt Sue Ganshorn Primary Supervisor. Worship Service 10 a m Sunday School 11am WAWASEE COMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCH MILFORD Tom Speicher Pastor Sunday Schoo l All Ages 9 30 a m Mornmg Worship 11 a m WORDOF GRACE FELLOWSHIPCHURCH (CR 300 E 4 Rook stool Rd ) Allen Giant Pastor Worship Service ’0 am Bible Study ’pm Wednesday

Mrs Bruce. The 14 members present also enjoyed a gift exchange and refreshments The next meeting with be Monday, Jan. 15, at Pauline Firestone's home with an auction being held.

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