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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 EE ONTARIO TODAY PAGE THREE For all children, hanging the stocking on Christmas Eve is a time of wonder and excitement. iriations a ae a Na stmas Yhristmas In Ontario is a many-splendored celebration, its rich variety reflecting the diversity of population. But it is variety with unity variations on a theme. The unity is found in the inspiration of Christmas, the ado- ration of the Christ Child. More than forty different racial groups have settled in Ontario since the end of the second world war, joining those who had already made their homes in the province. Each has brought its own distinetive Christmas customs, legends, songs, foods and superstitions. People from the United Kingdom have their own variety. the English, Welsh, Scots and Irish having their own distinctive customs. Ukrainians celebrate holy days according to the Julian calendar, have Christmas on Janu- ary 7. Reunion of the family and the Holy Supper are features of Christmas Eve. Twelve dishes are prepared, symbolic of the Twelve Apostles who gathered at the Last . Supper. The table is strewn with fine hay over which a table-cloth is placed. Three round loaves of bread, symbolizing prosperity occupy the centre of the table. The first. dish is always Kutya, cooked wheat with honey, ground poppy seed and chopped nuts. Christmas -carols are sung after the meal. The family then attends Christmas Day services which may begin at midnight. CHRISTMAS TREES are no strangers to Aus- trians living in Ontario. Decorated fir trees in x By Ron Devaney parlors were known in Strasbourg in 1605. Boys in bands of four, three dressed as the Three Kings, sing carols from door to door. Some Austrians hausfraus still leave milk outside at Christmastime in honor of an old custom popu- lar in the Tyrol. The food is for Mary and her child. FRENCH CHILDREN WILL BE putting their shoes on tiles of fireplaces this year in the belief that Father Christmas will find them. Adults exchange gifts at the New Year. The feast of the Epiphany 1s a time of family reunion and holiday, when all members return home if at all possible. SCOTS WHO ONCE CALLED the Shetland Islands their home will be brewing a big bath of Whipcoll for the holiday season. A warming drink, it's made of egg-yoke, sugar, cream, the whole seasoned with rum or brandy. Hogmanay (New Year's Day) to any Scot is the time for celebrating; Christmas is for prayer. Christmas Eve finds devoit Welsh people in church, singing psalmsr~and hymns until day- break. This service is. known as the "Crowing of the Cock." Dutch children have already been looking for some sign of St. Nicholas riding over the Ontario coutryside. His day is Dec. 6. The night before, shoes are left for filing. Family re- unions and the giving of presents are reserved for this time. Twelfth night cakes are baked, not to be sampled before January 6. 3 Poles will be scanning our skies for sight of the first star on Christmas Eve. This will signal the end of a day long fast and the beginning of the "Festival of the Star." A dinner of soup, fish, cabbage and mushrooms will be enjoyed and unleavened bread will be given to members of the family. Children will write letters des- cribing desired gifts, and leave them on the window-sill until the Wise Men can get them easily. German-Canadians always have trees in their homes; indeed, the custom is thought to have been born there. Advent wreaths are popular, too. These are adorned with images and four candles, one of which is burned on each of the four Sundays preceding Christmas Day. New Year's Eve and Day are set aside for the giving and receiving of presents. < SCANDINAVIANS WILL HANG mistletoe in their homes because this is the "plant of peace" under -which enemies were reconciled in those north- land countries. Those living on Ontario farms will make sure a sheaf of grain is attached to the top of a long pole outside their homes, in order that the birds may not miss their Christ- mas meal. SWEDES LOOK FORWARD to St. Lucia's Day the feast of lights, on December 13; it is some- times called Little Yule. In many households the youngest daughter is designated as Lucia Queen, goes around the house before sunrise, wearing a candle-crown, wakening the family.