| VOL 1 | 25 December 1941 | NO. XXIX |
Article Index
YULTIDE YAWNS
- Where is the entire Christmas Day spent in Church services?
- Where is Christmas never "white" and celebrated with picnics and outdoor trips?
- Is the custom of giving gifts at Christmas time universal?
- In what countries are the following customs most popular:
a) lights in the windows;
b) the Christmas tree
c) going around with the star
d) Christmas caroling
e)the Posadas? - Which of the original colonies had a law forbidding the celebration of Christmas?
- Where do young ladies still take candles to the well on midnight of Christmas to see the faces of their future husbands?
- What country has no Santa Claus?
- To whom are we indebted for the custom of the Christmas crib?
- Where is the only town in the world named Santa Claus?
- In what year was Christ born?
- When was the first Christmas observance?
- When were Christmas cards first used?
YULETIDE YAWNS
(Continued from page 1 - Answers)
-
In Iceland there are only four hours of daylight on Christmas Day, and these are spent in church services.
-
In Australia, for one place, where wonderful summer weather prevails at Christmas time.
-
No. In Belgium for example St. Nicholas goes from house to house on December 6, his feast day, distributing gifts to children.
-
a) Ireland
b) Germany
c) Alaska
d) England
e) Mexico. -
Massachusetts. The Puritans considered the feast of Christmas a pagan one.
-
In Belgium.
-
France, for one. The role of Santa Claus is played by Pere Noel. In general he resembles our Santa Claus but is less jovial and a bit more in accord with religion.
-
St. Francis of Assisi, in 1223.
-
Indiana. Through November and December a force of eight people is needed to handle its mail from people all over the world who wish their mail to bear the postmark Santa Claus. About sixty thousand pieces a day are dispatched at Christmas time.
-
The exact year of the Nativity cannot be proved, but critics generally accept 4 B.C.. as the probable year.
-
Tradition says that Christmas was first celebrated in 98 A. D. It was ordered to be held as a solemn feast by Pope Teleophorus in 137 A.D.
-
The first real Christmas cards appear to have been printed in London in 1846. Almost one thousand cards were printed, and that was considered tremendous.
God's Christmas Gift
" 'Tis not enough that Christ was born
Beneath the star that shone,
And earth was set that blessed morn
Within a golden zone.
He must be born with the heart
Before he find his throne,
And brings the day of love and good--
The reign of Christlike brotherhood."
STORY OF CHRISTMAS
AT THAT time there went forth a decree from Caesar Augustus that a census of the whole world should be taken. This first census took place while Cyrinus was governor of Syria. And all were going, each to his own town to register.
And Joseph also went from Galilee out of the town of Nazareth into Judea to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem -- because he was of the house and family of 
David—to register, together with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child. And it came to pass while they were there, that the days for her to be delivered were fulfilled. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds in the same district living in the fields and keeping watch over their flocks by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them and the glory of God shone round about them, and they feared exceedingly.
And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which shall be to all the people; for there has been born to you today in the town of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be sign to you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to men of good will."
SANTA CLAUS
WHERE DID the legend of Santa Clause come from? This merry old man whose abode is at the North Pole in the belief of children, and whose well-filled bag of toys and candy contains presents for all good boys and girls, has been the inspiration of thousands who in following his example have found happiness in bringing cheer to the hearts of hungry and needy ones. Nicholas was the name of an early Christian saint. He was the Bishop of Lycia and was known as the patron of scholars -- especially schoolboys. His many acts of kindness caused them to look for his coming on the great festival day of Christmas with remembrances and words of good cheer. In Dutch dialect his name St. Nicholas was expressed as Sante Klass, and from that in the United States to Santa Claus a legendary character who fills stockings with presents for children during the night of Christmas Eve, wholly fictitious, but a good representation of the spirit of Christmas, personified in this supposed individual who is too good to last longer than the immediate occasion of his visit.
DID YOU KNOW
In the autumn before the birth of Christ, certain of the Chaldean Magi, skilled in the science of the heavenly bodies, discerned a star of the first magnitude. They recognized in it that star of Jacob, foretold by Balaam so long before, which was to rise on their horizon at the coming of the Messiah. The best authorities point out that Persia (now Iran) was their country. The names Gaspar, Melchoir and Balthazar given to the Magi are of Babylonian origin. Selucides, where they lived, which is a short distance from Babylon, was the seat of the most famous astronomers of antiquity. It is only twenty days journey from the banks of the Euphrates to Bethlehem. Before them moved the star. Herod, who was very old, painted his face and dyed his hair and beard to appear young, thinking to lessen the contempt that people had for his great age. As the Magi inquired for the King of the Jews all Jerusalem was troubled. The people seemed to lose their fear of Herod, who had sworn to blot out the race of David. Even after the fall of Jeruselem, Vespasian gave orders to destroy all the posterity of David.
TRUE THEN --TRUE NOW
Over nineteen hundred years ago, two travelers arrived in Bethlehem at a time that is traditionally accepted as the latter part of December, according to our calendar. One, Joseph by name, was footsore, and the other, a woman, Mary by name, showed evident signs of fatigue. She was seated upon an ass, the common means of conveyance of the poorer classes. They had come to Bethlehem to register in a census ordered by the Roman Government. But actually, in the plans of God, they had come for another and a far more momentous purpose -- that the Christ-child she was carrying should be born in the City of David, the House of His forefathers.
On arriving in Bethlehem, they sought lodgings, but found every place crowded. They were informed that there "was no room in the Inn", a cold and heartless greeting to "strangers within their gates." They left the city of their forefathers, sad and with no little concern, because they realized that the Birth of Christ was near at hand. A short way from the city, and still within the sound of the gay festive noises of the holiday crowd that occupied its many Inns, they found an abandoned stable. Here Christ was born, and here was He laid in a manger crib.
The first to whom the glad news was announced acre some shepherds who were attending their flocks nearby. The first to catch a glimpse of the Savior of men were these poor men of the fields who had found their happiness and peace in attending their flocks. They were not too busy, as were the people of the over-crowded city of Bethlehem, to listen to the words of the Angel: "This day is born to you a Savior."
It is significant that during His public life, Christ never visited Bethlehem. Opportunity had come and had been rejected by the proud City of David. It is significant that God selected the simple of neart for the great message to mankind.
The joy of each recurring Christmas is made fuller in proportion as we attain that child-like simplicity of heart that accepts faith without question, and finds love in doing the will of God because! of the happiness and peace it brings to the soul.
TO MOTHER -- WITH LOVE |
To sisters and brothers, sweethearts  and others, I've penned the same old phrase;But for no other than you my dear MotherHave I more words of praise.You are the sweetest, the fairest, the dearest,In all the world to me.From my heart, Mother, this prayer do I utterTo God above for thee."'Tis time again, Oh Lord on High, To celebrate your birth; And so we give to those we love The most down here on earth. To you who loved your Mother so When you were here below, I come now with this simple prayer-- That for my Mother you will care As cared you for your own." Dearest Mother of mine, no more can I giveThan what above you see,For just as Christ His own Mother loved,So do I love thee..........By J. I. Stanley, P. A. Div. |
Divine Services |
Christmas and Sunday-- ………No. 1 Messing Comparment ………0645--Catholic Mass. ………1000--General Services followed by Mass. Weekdays--in Library. Scripture Studies-- |
"THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS" (With variations -- and apologies to Clement Clarke Moore) by Jack Jordan |
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the ship The sailors at sea had a low lower lip; Their socks were hung on their bunks with great care, In hopes that the morning would still find them there. Three sections were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of liberty danced through their heads; "Boats" with his new neckerchief, and I with new cap, Just knocked-off our gab for the long winter's nap,-- When out by the gangway arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bunk to see what was the matter. On the double to frame eighty-seven I tore, Turning left on the quick-action watertight door. There lay "Moon" on the breast of the new fallen snow Asleep in the waterway 'stead of two decks below; When what to my wondering eyes should appear, But the O.O.D. with two Marines at his rear, With a little cold shiver, quite lively and quick I knew that poor Moon was in for St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And when they disturbed him, Moon called each a name: "Leathernecks, Devildogs, you're worse than a vixen! So you want to get tough, huh? Well, come on, let's start mixin'." Said the Gyrenes to Moon, "Now look out you don't fall, To the brig you go, flatfoot, and don't give us no gall!" As dry leaves that before the hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, So down to the brig these coursers they felw, With their arms full of Moon--who weighed 222! And then in a twinkling I heard from the blue The prancing and pawing of a size thirteen shoe! As I drew in my head and was turning around, The Chief Master-at-Arme came at me with a bound, He caught me red-handed, I could not get away For I was not wearing the uniform of the day! His face said quite plainly, "I've got; you at last Stand by for the 'works' when I get you to mast." His eyes, how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry; His drool little mouth was drawn up like a bow, His store teeth they glistened as white the snow. A stub of a pencil he held in his fist, When he started in writing I started to list. He had a broad face and a very round belly That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly. He was chubby and plump,--a, right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself, For a wink of his eye and a twist of his head Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. He spoke not a word, but went on with his work, For to him on this night I was just one more 'jerk', He started up forward, I knew where he'd go, To the C. P. O. messroom to get some more 'joe'. His step was quite nimble in spite of his size When he passed by the bake shop he drew out two pies; But I heard him exclaim ere he dove out of sight, "Happy Christmas, you mug, turn in and good-night!" |
|
CHRISTMAS MORN |
|
In humble stall the Savior lay While shepherds adoration pay-- Shall we not come and worship, too, The Christ to whom all praise is due? And wise men from the East have come In reverence to the sacred home-- Shall we not bring our gifts, as they, And at His feet our offerings lay? From stable-door to cross-crowned hill He went, God's purpose to fulfill-- Shall we not yield Him service true, His will to seek, His work to do? O Son of God, I would enthrone Thee as my Lord and Thee alone; Unto thy servant now impart A willing mind, a loyal heart! |
M-E-N-U
CHRISTMAS DINNER
Cream of Turkey Soup
Saltines
Roast Young Tom Turkey . . . . . . . . . Baked Spiced Ham
Giblet Gravy . . . . Cranberry Sauce . . . . Oyster Dressing
Creamed Whipped Potatoes . . . . . . . . . Buttered Fresh Peas
Green Olives . . . . Mixed Sweet Pickles . . . . Ripe Olives
Fruit Cake . . . . . . . . . Assorted Nuts
Bread . . . . Butter . . . . Hot Rolls
Cigarettes . . . . . . . . . Coffee
Mixed Hard Candies
To plan, prepare. and serve a dinner of the above proportion and appetizing variety is no small task. As an example: Since fruit cakes should never be eaten "oven fresh", the cake on today's menu was cooked three weeks ago! To all who had anything and everything to do with this delicious dinner, we Cougars let out a notch and say "Thanks. Shipmates!"
Some of the actual poundage that this menu represents is startling and staggering. To satisfy Cougar appetites this day, it requires in part:
Turkey------------------------1500 lbs,
Ham---------------------------600 lbs,
Nuts---------------------------900 lbs,
Candy-------------------------700 lbs,
Mixed Pickles-----------------250 lbs,
Olives, Ripe-------------------230 lbs,
Olives, Green-----------------210 lbs,
