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SEIN at la, ~~ vd o> Ai; 4) 3) - Ri ~ a i > re) v pe AK RR Sn - NE Non Vr DN AEN x 4 - PORT -PERRY STAR «CHRISTMAS Ponce ot firistmas Is Christmas . . . season blessings be yours te share, always. IRA CARR CONSTRUCTION LTD. MERRY CHRISTMAS May your holiday be as bright and cheery as your Christmas tree. LS re 4 0 "May the spirit of the first Christmas be bom anew in your hearts to bless you with its glorious message, at this holy time. JOHN BALLARD LUMBER COMPANY LIMITED Wish Vou a very D O N VIFORRY Good chi customers. LT CHRISTMAS! to our wonderful friends and We're grateful to one and all. | LANMLGH MEN'S WEAR To Greet You at Christmas | The carolers sing out our greetings to you for a most happy holiday season! Thank you for leiting us serve you ali through the year, What's a robin doing on a Christmas card? More familiar as a harbinger of spring, bob- bing along with a fat worm in his mouth, the robin is never- theless a centuries-old Christ- mas symbol. And one of the earliest Christmas cards, a 100-year-old English greeting, features an Ulustration of a robin on a snowbank. Because legend says the rob- in played a vital part in the first Christmas, Yuletide dec- orations and cards have long celebrated the cheery red- breast. This year's crop of Christmas cards included an assortment of robin designs, many depicting the bird at the manger scene. One card published for this year featured a retelling of the robin legend, reports Mrs. Jeannette Lee, design director for Hallmark cards. According to the legend, the Holy Family was not alone in taking refuge in the stable at Bethlehem. Perched on a rafter, a small brown robin watched as the three Magi pre- sented their gifts to the new- born Christ Child. The robin seemed to under- stand that something won- the departure of the Magi, when the Holy Family was asleep, the robin noticed that the stable fire was dying. Only a few coals smoldered. In a valiant attempt to re- vive the flickering embers, the robin swooped down to fan the fire. Hovering above the coals, he flapped his wings, fanning the embers to life. As the fire burned brighter, flames singed the robin's breast, scorching his brown feathers a brilliant red gold. Through the night he fan- -- i oC 67. MAT PAGE 27. ANTIQUE CHRISTMAS CARD INSPIRED BY robin legend was designed by Jonathan King in London in 1867. The robin wears a red vest because he fanned the embers of the stable fire, vo keep the Christ Child warm, legend says. The well-preserved greeting, a century-old this year, is from the Hallmark Historical Collection. drous was happening. After | ned the fire to keep the Child warm. Ever since, the robin |in gave a precious gift, and has worn a red vest, symboliz- | he at the cost of per- ing his gift. sonal sacrifice. Thus the rob- As a Christmas symbol, the |in's gift suggests the deeper robin embodies the spirit of | meaning -- the giving of one's giving. Like the Magi, the rob-| self -- the legend notes. Hi Merry - Christmas POPLAR PARK Everyone! THE BAIRDS XN ik Tahara lB) BE TT PEPE FAN FAR LONE SN Sra EIEN NE NR IGE XY on JRE Lathe EQ NC Yule Greens' Set Scene For Festivity From the welcoming wreath on the door to the Christmas tree glowing with lights and bedecked with packages, from the cheery poinsettia plant on the mantel or table to the sprig of mistletoe with its promises of kisses and laughter, greens and plants set the scene for holiday enjoyment. Many of the greens now used for Christmas decorations once adorned pagan rites, and were credited by the ancients with certain mystical powers and virtues. Today, using greens has be- come holiday custom, regard- less of religious or 'symbelic significance. About Trees Perhaps the most common use of holiday greens is seen in the lively, decorated Christ- mas tree found in many homes at this time of year. There are many legends con- cerning the origin of Christ- mas trees. One belief is that the first Christmas tree was a = palm tree brought from Egypt. The 12 parts of the palm were supposed to represent the 12 apostles, according to the edi- tors of the Encyclopedia Amer- icana. The use of pine and cedar Yule trees is generally thought to be of German derivation. The introduction of the ever-w green Christmas tree came to English-speaking peoples after the marriage of Victoria of England to the German prince, FROM STAFF THE MANAGEMENT AND FLAMINGO PASTRIES LTD. bristmas 05505 { vce again the spirit of Christmas radiates its promise of hope, love and peace throughout the . land. As you reflect x upon the Miracle and glory vou be comforted by the faith, gladdened by the message and sustained by the inspiration of Christmas, now and always. May holiday of the Holy Birth, may-ssf.' v joys and blessings be yours. OF \L