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4-- PORT PERRY STAR -- CHRISTMAS EDITION 1974 Climate Key to Time of Holy Birth The evidence that the ourney of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethle- hem took place in the dry season, that is. before the onset of winter, depends to some extent on what we Know about the climate of Palestine today, which, scholars believe, is not very different from what it was during the time of Jesus. The annual mean tem- perature is a pleasant enough 62.8 degrees Fah- renheit, with a range from a high of 112 degrees to a low in winter of only 12 degrees. While the lowland plains, nearer the Mediterranean Sea. receive heavy rains from November to April, winter in the hills can bring biting frost, bitter winds and even snow. 1G SIS : Cheery Greetings Yor a very Merry Christmas and ¥ the Happiest of New Years 3 } DON SKINNER 3 Prince Albert RE RRR PRIN EF INIA SIP IRI Nazareth, the city of Jesus, was a town of some note in southern Galilee, near -the western edge of the fertile plain of Esdra- elon. This area provides more clues to the time of the journey for scholars who look to the still fertile and well-watered hills of Galilee and into the less favored hill country of Judea, where the cultivation of grains, olives and vines tended to give way to the grazing of sheep, especially in the dry season. . So it can also be assumed that the holy journey was during the dry season by looking to the Bible in which Saint Luke says that in the same country were shepherds looking over their flocks, A ARR RRR ary SOC GSS This 14 3 Neen ¥ Sleigh bells. Carols. LL «+ Holly wreaths. Snowflakes. And goodwill to men. SEASONS GREETINGS to all our customers MISTER TV TOWERS Air Merry Christmas Ring out, sing out hearty good wishes for holiday cheer. TREWIN FARM EQUIPMENT BLACKSTOCK CHRISTMAS CHEER May the light of Christmas | shine on \ you and your loved ones. May its bright warmth fill each day. We appreciate your loyalty! CANADIA ASSOCIATE posta nL TO fabs Pa RE LEIA St. NicHorAs AND Escorts in Kuessnacht am Rigi, Central Switzerland. The figures of St. Nicholas, who on Dec. 6 goes around sometimes dressed like a venerable bishop and sometimes like a bogeyman, unite totally different characteristics. The Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, legendary throughout Europe for his acts of charity and . miraculous deeds, is represented as the saintly figure. But pre-Christian influences still appear in noisy processions and demand for tribute, characteristic of the saint's satéllites. Photo courtesy Swiss National Tourist Office. 'Christkindli' of Switzerland Reappears at Holy Season Christmas has a unique significance in the German and French speaking re- gions of Switzerland be- cause the "Christkindli," or Christ Child, is believed to walk on earth during this season. Instead of Santa Claus, the "Christkindli," repre- sented as a beautiful, radi- ant, angel-like being with wings carrying a magic wand and wearing a shining crown, distributes Christ- mas gifts and Christmas trees glittering with fanci- ful decorations. Although the "Christ- kindli" is commonly be- lieved to personify the Christ-Child, he is some- times represented as an angel bearing a light or a star just as an angel her- alded the birth of Christ at Bethlehem. On the other 'hand, the "Christkindli" has some of the character- istics of a sprite, as sug- gested by the wand and the wings, which can be linked to pre-Christian beliefs. Some suggest he may stem from the pagan custom of representing the New Year as a radiant and beautiful child, Like Santa, the "Christ- kindli" also arrives in a sleigh drawn by reindeer, so there would appear to be some intermingling of Christmas legends here. St. Nicholas is represented in several ways in different parts of Switzerland. In some, he is called Father Christmas and comes with his wife, Lucy (representing St. Lucy whose feast day is December 13) to distribute gifts. He wears the tradi- tional Santa Claus costume, while Lucy wears a round cap over her long braids, a laced bodice and a fancy apran. In the central part of Switzerland, St. Nicholas is represented more realisti- cally in his bishop's regalia complete with mitre and crosier. On -St. Nicholas' Day, which falls on Decem- ber 6th, there is a magnifi- cent parade in which white bearded masqueraders, clothed in long white shirts, carry huge three-foot mitre-shaped lanterns over their heads. These lanterns are perforated in' intricate religious designs, similar to church windows, and when the candlelight shines through them, as their bearers execute a stately dance, they are an impres- sive sight indeed. In the village of Urnaesch in the Canton of Appenzell, the men and boys go "Santa Clausing." Some wear red Santa Claus costumes with jingling bells while others, Lo. L x | ands J : bringing good cheer ; to our many friends. Thanks, loyal patrons. B.L. Wanamaker's GENERAL STORE ar Seagrave dressed and masked as "la- dies," wear enormous, elab- orate picture hats decorated with panoramas of Alpine scenes. Starting early in the day on New Year's Eve, the $ group proceeds through the village with an unusual hopscotch gait, stopping at each farm to share their merriment and partake of refreshments. When dark- ness falls, they all head for the Valley to pursue their New Year revelry. | £88 "Wt FUN a") Word 'Manger' Has 2 Meanings * The Bible tells us that the newly-born Christ-child was "wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a man- ger," a word derived from = : the French '"mangeoir" or . frame to Lol sniioh feed, We wish you all It is interesting that the : other common English word the happiness this for a cattle-feeder, crib, holy season has which is derived from the { German Kkrippe, also means ww Stye « +4 PEACO and a baby's bed. joy. Kind thanks. & fen 28, Mensa Lord créche, which is often use to describe the nativity ALBERT'S scene displayed in churches, homes, and other Lain at BARBER SHOP Christmastime, has the double meaning of "man- geoir" and a public shelter for the care of infants. oll ® Oh | It's Yuletide Season 8 . . . here's a hearty wish for the best holiday ever! Fill it with good times, high spirits, and lots of friends. It's been our pleasure to serve you. » Les and Barb Roberts » Ridgeview Snack Bar & Service Station RR.2, Port Perry | AS