Bastrop Advertiser and Bastrop County News (Bastrop, Tex.), Vol. [117], No. 43, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 24, 1970 Page: 9 of 16
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Texas Digital Newspaper Program and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Bastrop Public Library.
- Highlighting
- Highlighting On/Off
- Color:
- Adjust Image
- Rotate Left
- Rotate Right
- Brightness, Contrast, etc. (Experimental)
- Cropping Tool
- Download Sizes
- Preview all sizes/dimensions or...
- Download Thumbnail
- Download Small
- Download Medium
- Download Large
- High Resolution Files
- IIIF Image JSON
- IIIF Image URL
- Accessibility
- View Extracted Text
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
BASTROP (TEXAS! ADVERTISER. DECEMBER J I. 1970
Symbols of Christmas
CHRISTmas is the most beauti-
ful season of (he Christian year.
It is a tinu- of wonder and wor-
ship, fun and festival, giving and
receiving; a time when the mind
and heart of man is brought
nearer to the love of Cod, and
the good will of hts fellowman.
than any other time of the year.
Behind the celebration of Christ-
mas are many facts, traditions,
and customs originating all over
the world What liegan at Bethle-
hem almost '.'000 years ago spread
throughout th( world in stories,
legends, and the Scriptures. From
these have grown many customs,
traditions, songs, and symlxtls to
ti II tin' story and the part each
one has played in this most sacred
event in history, especially in the
life of the Christian.
There are many familiar de-
corations which are used at this
season of tin' year which could
be an aid to us in our under-
standing of their meaning.
The family kitchen has always
been the center of activity in any
celebration, especially at CIIRIST-
mas. It is time for family get-
togethers, and visits with one's
friends. As homemakers, we can
even make our kitchens CHRIST-
centered. Tell your family about
the traditions that have grown up
about special CHRISTmas dishes
and what they symbolize.
The mince pies tell of the gift
of spices given to the CHRIST-
child by the Wise Men. Candy
and cookie canes remind as of
the Shepherd's crook, and that
Ji stis is the Good Shepherd III
Poland, it was customary to
serve a fruit compote at CHRIST-
mas, made of 12 different dried
fruits, to represent the 12 op<>s-
ties.
In early Christian homes the
baking was done weeks ahead, so
that nothing interfered with the
high-light of CHRISTmas — the
Church services where the whole
family worshipped the new-born
King Raking cockles is another
wa.v of using symbols of CHRIST-
mas Tell your children, as to-
i gcther you cut out stars, bells,
wreaths, canes jusi how they fit
into the CHRISTmas story.
Win not I I your table center-
pit ce tell the Story of Jesus'
birth. Wouldn't it be appropriate
to have a birthday cake for Jesus
and sing "Happy Birthday" to
Him?
The coming ot the Lord will
always be met with joy and sing-
ing. The Bible tells us so. The
Birth of Jesus caused even the
heavens to ring with the music
ol the angels. So music plays n
big part in our celebration of
CHRISTmas.
England made the CHRISTmas
carol a lovely part of our CHRIST-
mas customs. It was customary
to go from house to house sere-
nading the occupants with gay,
festive music. The singing of
carols actually began in Italy in
•he
Christmas Story
As we celebrate His Birth,
we pause to study the true meaning
of Christmas. Best of the
season to you and your family.
Bert's Grocery
KOKKKTA WILHRIM
Highway 71
OJ/uL
MeA/uj'
\VJ
We're sending mighty big
Christmas wishes your way, with a
hearty "Thank you" for your loyal support.
Elzner I lard ware
Frank, Orlie and Ken Laake
Sally Quintanilla
the 13th century , and then spread
into other European countries
TI. original, true carol was a
mixture of folksong, legendary
lore and mirthful simplicity. The
transition to the more serious
Christian hymn came later in
the 18th century Many of our
familiar carols are very old and
have nib resting backgrounds. The
oldi st known copy of "O, Come
All Ye Faithful" is dated 1751,
author unknown. The beloved
carol "Silent Night" was written
by Fran/ Gruber, an organist in
i Scrawny who needed sonic new
music The organ was damaged
by mice, so the lovely enrol was
first accompanied by the guitar.
The bell has become a symbol
of CHRISTmas joy. The bells
peal forth the good tidings from
church towers high in the sky.
We use bells in our decorations
and on our CHRISTmas cards to
tell the world of our joy in the
Birth of our Savior. Bells became
so closely associated with the
CHRISTmas season thai they
were used as the designs for the
fi'st Christmas cards and tree
decorations. There is a lovely
Christian hymn by Longfellow, "I
Heard the Bells On Christmas
Day."
From England comes the cus-
tom of sending CHRISTmas
cards. The first commercial
cards were published by Joseph
Cundall of London in 18-16. The
use of CHRISTmas seals came
into being in 1904, the idea of
Einar Holboell, a Danish postal
clerk. The plan was to sell special
stamps to be used on letters at
CHRISTmas time and the pro-
ceeds applied to some worthy
cause. In the Unitexl Stales the
idea was first applied to raising
money for a crusade against tu-
berculosis.
The Twelve Days of Christmas
represent the time from Decem-
ber 25 through January 6 which
is Epiphany. This date became
associated with the Nativity with
special reference to the visit of
the Wise Men or Magi. It was
customary at one time that the
Churches
Echo With
Yule Tale
"And, she brought forth her
firstborn Son, and wrapped
Him in swaddling clothes, and
laid Him in a manger, because
there ivas no room for them in
the inn." Luke 2:7.
At Christmas, in church and
home devotions, Christians
turn again and again to the
Biblical story of that Holy
Night nearly two thousand
years ago.
From the words of two of
his disciples, Luke and Mat-
thew, they learn of humble
shepherds watching In a field,
of herald angels singing, of a
Star that shone in the East to
guide the Wise Men on their
way.
In every word of the sacred
story, the first Christmas lives
anew. And most cherished of
all are the words that tell of
the simple manger scene, of
Mary, and Joseph, and the
Christ Child
"And she brought forth her
firstborn Son, and wrapped
Him in swaddling clothes, and
laid Him in a manger."
The words, as simple as the
scene, Inspire awe and won-
der, for the glory of the mo-
ment, for the miracle that was
wrought. Yet the same words
bring a homely comfort, too.
It is a miracle that even a
child may comprehend, for
th" re, living again In the
words, Is the Baby Jesus,
wrapped in swaddling clothes
Because there no room for
them in the inn "
In the glory, there Is poig-
nancy, too.
"No room in the inn."
The words echo across the
ages, and rejoicing Is tinged
with bittersweet That as In
the words of the famous carol,
"Away In a Manger," — "the
little Lord Jesus" had "no crib
for His bed" weighs on the
heart of Christianity
Even here at the manger
there is the shadow of suffer
ing in store for the Son of C •'
of trla'. soon to begin with the
flight into Egypt, arid to end
on the Cross.
But the glory prevails, in
the miracle of the humble
manger, and ahead, through
the shadows of the future,
through anguish and agony,
\ shines the radiance of Easter
I It is Christmas, and Chris-
j tians everywhere rejoice at the
! words of the angel
"For unto you is born this
day in the city of David a Sav-
iour, which is Christ the Lord."
Luke 2 11.
Christmas tree was taken down
at this time. The Wise Men or
Magi were men of a priestly
caste from the East, who made
a special study of astrology and
mysterious natural sciences le-
gend gives them names: Mel-
cliior, King of Nubia; Balthazar,
King of Clialdea; ami Jasper.
King of Tatshish; ami it was be
lieved that they represented the
three great races, European,
Asia, and African.
This has been just a brief ac-
count of some of the many olel
traditions, customs, ami meaning
of symbols which have become
associated wrh the CHRISTmas
season and the Story of Jcsu.'
birth It is hoped that this brief
summary of customs and tradi-
tions of CHRISTmas will help to
ward making your CHRISTmas
an interesting and joyous and
more meaningful celebration. I^et
us keep in mind always through-
out all our preparations and cele-
bration that we have CHRIST-
mas lieeause "God so loved the
world that he gave his only Son,
that whoever believes in him
should not perish but have eternal
life,". —Contributed.
Fireplace Claims Early Role in Yule Festivity
Mt. Aso, a crater in Kyshu,
Japan, is the world's largest vol-
cano crater. It measures Tl miles
In circumference
When Sunta Cluus comes
sliding down the clumney on
Christmas Eve, where will lie
land '
Right in the fireplaci an
area that has been a tradi-
tional part ol Christ mas for
more years than Santa has
worn a red suit1
Before the turn of the cen-
tury. Santa Claus, oi iSt Nich-
olas, frequently wore a blue
robe, although Clement Clarke
Moore, in "A Visit from St.
Nicholas," pictured linn as
"clad all in tin, from In.s head
to his foot."
But for centuries the lire
place has been a treasured and
often vital part of the home
The fireplace as it exists to-
day that is, the firebox along
the wall, with a chimney in-
stead of an open fire in the
middle of the room dates
from about lOflfi
Itllill of \\ IHIII
Early fireplaces were built of
wood or wicker, but they
proved so dangerous that in
the year 141!) the City ol Ion
don decreed that henceforth
fireplaces be made of tiles,
stone or plaster, under the
penalty of being demolished
A greatly improved system
Texas has 16 7 billion barrels
o' oil reserves- 1.11 billion in crude
oil: 3.6 billion from natural gas
liquids.
of making tiles was adopted by
the Dutch from llic Spaniards
following the Treaty of Breda
in 1609, and paved the way for
more elaborately decorated
ceramics on fireplace facings,
walls and mantels
The use ol such tiles for lire
places soon spread to England,
.i:nl then to the Colonies
Skilled Dutch craftsmen
decorated ceramic tiles with
designs of oranges, grapes, tu-
lips, vases of flowers, ships,
sea monsters, landscapes,
Horsemen and royal portraits
The English used similar
pictures and added many
charming scenes designed by
renowned artists, including
Kate ilrcenawuy, lamed loi
| her Christinas card designs
i ^i-l ii I Yrceileiil
These tiles were used both
I to line the fireplace and on
i mantels and other surfaclngs,
I setting a precedent for mod
ern fireplaces
In America, the Pilgrims
built crude stone fireplaces,
then constructed their log
huts around tliein
Today, as 111 those earlier
years, ceramic tile remains a
practical and decorative sur-
facing material for fireplaces,
and the home owner has a far
wide, choice to work with tlian
did early home builders
More than '.!!)() different ccr
! amir tile sines, shapes and tcx
j tures are supplied by Amerl-
I can manufacturers, says the
Tile Council of America
Just as in the early days,
special decorative tiles give the
fireplace a distinctive touch of
elegance to greet Santa when
he arrives, via the traditional
route
Hi re's to a very
\l< rry Christmas full
of peace and
happiness.
K
ii .,v,yy •- **-
Ili-Wav (parage
MAICVIN STUNK
mmm
A
iiumiim iii "'"''w"'ii i«niiHi iii r« H ■ 1 'tin *,„•
¥
*
Z* SYV
T, all, wo extend warm and happy greetings in the spirit
of this most joyous season. It's our privilege to
be a part of this fine community and we sincerely hope to
continue serving our friends and neighbors in every way.
SavatM
AND LOAN ASSOCIATION
HILLY MAYNARD, Agcney Manager
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Standifer, Amy S. Bastrop Advertiser and Bastrop County News (Bastrop, Tex.), Vol. [117], No. 43, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 24, 1970, newspaper, December 24, 1970; Bastrop, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth238288/m1/9/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Bastrop Public Library.