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CE CSE CSE CAL. CSL. L. BB SA CSE S HF. M 2@ M NA BPN MA DN Chiristmas Section e T. TL B S SP AP, C L L O c 9e 9e e 9e e e e nc c e e PP C First Christmas in _ s3 us Colcu‘ ( No WOR Oe t ce e ce oi on ce on on ce 6 C d d C that if one could obtain a piece of T @‘ and a) an al'tl(_‘l' holly that had been used in a churen May this Christma«s ho full af inv . ) Holly, with its brilliant red berries and rich green leaves, is an accepted Christmas decoration, not just becaus? 1t is an attractive and cheerful plant. but because in the early days it was thought to be "hateful to witches" and therefore offered protection against them. Later it was used as a reminder of the crown of thorns Christ wore, the "Fear Now le A ro And t To eve Glory â€" Peagce | In some sections of Germany a piece of this charred wood was placed undsr the bed to avert the muchâ€"dreaded lightning stroke. The burning of the YÂ¥ulelog in each homestead sceems to have been a survival of the adoration once offered to the sun at the winter solstice. In many an old British mansion it was customary to light tall candles on Christmas Eve, and then a huge log was rolled ontco the hearth. called the Yulelog. This log was so large that it required the strength of several men to.roll ii in place. The log was cut from a tree felled at midnight; and was to be placed on the hearth during midâ€" might mass on Christmas Eve, and was to be lighted by the head of the famâ€" ily. A piece of this burning wood was to be laid aside to light next year‘s lozg with,. while at the same time, it would protect the household during he comâ€" Cartier‘s settlement did not last. but over half a century later, Champlain founded Quebec near where Cartier‘s unhappy party had celebrated, and since that time Christmas has been celebrated each year in Canada. It can well be imagined that under these circumstances Canada‘s first Christmas celebrations were conducted under difficult cirecumstances. However the indomitable spirit of the French settlers refused to be crushed by exâ€" ternal forces. The most palatable of the food was brought forth and there was feasting and merryâ€"making. Food wa$s scarce. That which had been brought along from France was not of a type to keep men healthy through a rigorous winter. Scurvy early broke out and 25 of the settlers perished during the winter. The toll would have been even greater had not a friendly Indian shown how tea could be brewed from the needles of the neighboring spruce and pine trees to overcome the effects of the dread disease. And then, i again to the It was a g night minstr and goodwill Yuletide, twe day, as Perci Standard, pi the America bands of mt and. ‘in the 1 The hurriedly built fort at Stadaâ€" cona, near where Quebec now stands. was but a feeble protection against the neighboring Indians. It was even less effective in keeping out the fierce blasts of a northern winter. This Christmas for most of the citiâ€" zens of the Dominion of Canada, will be a day of rejoicing. Families will get together and there will be much fasting and merryâ€"making. Cares will be forâ€" gotten during the magic festival period. Far different was the first Christâ€" mas celebration in Canada four cenâ€" turies ago. It was in 1635 that Jacques Cartier and some 110 French settlers spent their first winter in Canada. The river froze up in November and the little settlement was completely cut off from the Motherland for many months. aques Cartier and 110 French Settlers First Obâ€" served the Day in Canâ€" acda The Yule Log THE PORCUPINE ADVANCE, TIMMINS, ONTARIO "rear not," rang out a trumpetâ€"voic "This is your festal morn. Now let the humble poor rejoice A royal Child is born, And this the message of his birth To every weary soul on earth, Glory to God in the Highest, Peace on earth, goodâ€"will to meny,‘ â€"â€"J, E. Middleton. But the custom of on Christmas eve peace and good will vails here and there They woke in te 4A wonder in t An aureole of bl Unutterably fa And in the midst City," or "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing". "Punctuating the bustle of doâ€" mestic preparation for the coming feast, these ministrations in the still nizsht gave a breath of poetry that night gave a breath of poetry that touched the spirit of Christmas with an endearing beauty, Day by day the tide of joyous anticipation rose until the crescendo broke into a forte of exâ€" uberance." Those simple days of the folk are gone, says Mr. Chubb; the glory is deâ€" parted. All sheltered by a lonely rock Beneath the starry bluce, The shepherds lay beside the flock Their mantles wet with dew And heard in dreams above the plain A mystic and entrancing strain; Glory to God in the Highest, Peace on earth, goodâ€"will to men. and goodwill. "With the beginning of Yuletide, twelve days before Christmas day, as Percival Chubb tells us in the Standard, published in New York by the American Ethical Union, "small bands of musicians went the rounds and, ‘in the mire or on the road or on the steps, played the old folk tunes as a lyrical prelude to the great day. To some of the antique ballad airs, like "Good King Wenceslaus", says Mr. Chubb, the singers would add a hymn tune or twoâ€""Once in David‘s Royal sifted snow. And then, in the early morning, home again to their own firesiae. It was a good old custom, this midâ€" night minstrelsy in the season of peace (From Literary Digest) ere come the Carolders." So it usedâ€"toâ€"be. Young faces pressed against the windowpane, straining to hear the cheerful carols outside. Perâ€" haps it was the story of the Christ Child put to tune or a ballad of love and cheer. When the singers were done the household invited them in for a bite and a sup or gave them a coin or two for their song. Then on to the next house, to sing ind in the midst of the Sons ouf | 1] singing in their whirling flig}t to God in the Highest, ‘eace on earth, goodâ€"will to men Applause Given Singers t‘ Timmins in Past Years Proof of This Christmas Carolers Popular Everywhere agaln under the A Carol ist of the Sons of Ligh. their whirling flight Tror to behold 16 aAair, ie and gold stars or veiled behind making the rounds to sing carols of on earth still preâ€" Thursd; December 23rd, 1937