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DECEMBER I9, I973 TERRACE BAY NEWS PAGE 7 How Santa Claus Became An American Christmas Tradition The tradition that Santa Claus is the giver of Christ- .mas presents comes to us from a fourth century Ger- man legend of St. Nicholas (Santa Claus is a German corruption of the name). When St. Nicholas learned of three young women who were unable to attract suit- ors because their father was too poor to provide them with a dowry, he filled three bags with gold one night May you enjoy, together with your loved ones, the deeply enriching experience of the spiritual inspiration of Christmas and its message of Peace and Good Will. hank Ae. Jean Stitt Schreiber and threw them into the 'windows of the rooms of the young women, Soon after, they were all happily mar- ried. Unexpected gifts were thereafter attributed to St. Nicholas. . The myth that Santa Claus descends the chimney to fill the stockings comes from the Norsemen. Their legend tells us that at the winter solstice the goddess Hertha appeared in their fireplaces and brought with her happiness and good for- tune. Dr. Clement Clarke Moore, a professor in the General Theological Seminary in New York, put the myth in the form of a poem, "The Visit of St. Nicholas." He invented the sleigh and the reindeer and his description of St. Nicholas was suggest- ed by the appearance of a German man-of-all-work in his employ. The sleigh bells were suggested by the bells on the bridle of his own horse. He wrote the poem for his children in 1822 and read it to them on Christmas Eve of that year. This poem has become the foundation of our own rich American tradition about Santa Claus. THE BEAN KING In parts of France, Spain, and Mexico they still eat a special 12th Night cake, in which a single bean has been concealed. The finder of the bean is hailed as Bean King -- a survival of an ancient pagan custom which chose the King of the Saturnalia by lot in this way. Wishes at Ch ristmas Toall the friends we have had the pleasure of serving -- wishes for a warm, old-fashioned, family-filled holiday. Terrace Bay 5 5 gd Phone 825-3327