Clarion Defender_1966-12-23

Adam and Eve and The Christmas Tree What did Adam and Eve have to do with the Christmas tree? Everything. And nothing. Chalk it up to medieval cus– tom if you like, but the same 11pple tree that caused all the trouble in Eden is said to be the forerunner of our Christmas tree. It started with the mys– tery plays of the Middle Ages. They usually centered around Paradise and the apple that were presented around Christ– Eve gave to Adam. The plays mas lime; the tree with the apples stood in the background. Thus, the earliest association of a tree With the Christmas holi– day. Gradually, any fir tree hung with apples took on significance. It stood for immortality be– cause it was ever green; it stood for religion because of the apples. In ils first home, Germany, it was called the Par– adise Tree. The custom spread to Italy and England, picking up lights and ornaments along the way. Tiny creches, candles and oth– er objets d'art began to appear on the boughs. Soon, they had replaced the apples entirely. Across the ocean, the new symbol of Christmas flourished. Tradition has it that the Hes– sian soldiers, homesick for Ger– many, set up Christmas trees during our Revolutionary War. At least one source credits George Washington's victory at Trenton to the Christmas tree - for the German mercenaries were celebrating around the tree that cold night when the colonial soldiers attacked. By the early 1800s, the Christ- I - ..,J DE BRA LEAR TINE ..... 'Of! - . Christmas Joys. mas tree had come to stay. One popular magazine de– scribed "trees visible through the windows, whose g r e e n boughs are laden with fruit" at the holiday season. And in 1830, the term "Christmas tree" broke into print. A York, Pa., newspaper published the histor– Ic words-part of a notice for a charity affair. In a way, it was only natur- al for America to pick up the custom so avidly. Evergreen trees were abundant, the first greenery spied by the Pilgrims when they stepped ashore. And If by chance they were not available, Americans could be Inventive. One Illinois resident used a tiny sassafras tree in the 1850s. Another celebrant decorated a tiny bush with pop– corn and colored paper. It took a New Hampshiri tc, President Franklin Pierce, to bring an official tree to Wash– ington. But it wasn't until Cnl– vin Coolidge's term as Presi– dent in 1923 that the first cere– monial lighting of the White House tree took place. Today, the executive mansion's tree is a warm and familiar custom -lighting up the lawn of the White House for all to see. In individual homes, in New York's Rockefeller Center, on Christmas cards and in popu– lar magazines-wherever It it found the Christmas tree today is a sturdy svmbol of all that is good and cheerful and warm about the holiday. And, like everything else, it all started in Erlen. Sincere GoodWishes I - We take this opportunity to extend heartfelt thanks to all our friends and patrons. It is our sincerest wish that each and every one enjoy the very merriest Christmas and a holiday season filled with good cheer. ~ t .J PARK'n SHOP 4803 N. LOMBARD As we enter this most important of all holiday seasons we ve a .great de?-1 for which to be thankful. We share the streng- . and JOY of bemg able to live as free men, each able to recog– nlze and celebrate Christmas as befits his belief. Most of all, we cherish the opportunity to pause from our work to reflect on the significance of Christ's birth. For, throughout the centuries, that one life has, by example of love and humility, provided the guiding light for the peoples of the earth. His greatness was his willigness to give of Himself for the Father and for mankind. Let this Christmas season be there– fore filled with thanks to the Giver of all good things, Our Lor and may that thankfulness find its expression in service to your fellow man. MARK O. HATFIELD GOVERNOR OF OREGON FREDA MICHELLE VJf: As we journey along the road of life, may the light of the Christmas star hearten and inspire us, strengthening our resolve to do all we can to achieve lasting peace on earth. 0.. 1/wt. .,jr)J !IIIJII} J"l" ago, a.• r./rilf .1/ar~ f!ill~•'ttl tmtl mrgd•' voias ,.,.,; mrttrirmrplrallfiJ to pr«<aim lri.c ct»Hitlf{, . tlrn't tm.s horn Jttdo t116111iml, a Sat.;mu·. Hmnblr .tlltpltet'tl.f, (,tllkrttl ;, t1u jieltlc tnrtlili(!, tluir jlorJ.<, lrrt1rvl llrr 1H"-iD/{t' mul ca111t ;, lra..Uio t>f.•it lflf hok IJint: in a mallf{'l',arrtllltry were jiUed witltjoJ. Fm· to tlu: East, tire, Wi.ft' Men -"'"' tlrt /{l'l'fll Stw· of Brllrltlrmt mul tlu:J fdlmllttl itt• IIIMI? tllf r.,,t; C/riltlttU<, hrill{;i"f{ 'rat't mul tnrimu gift• i11 tlrfir·tufm'Oiion. _ krm• t1u tl{/·'• t1u ewr-toontlcrfirl .<lmy of tlrr birth oJCltl'i.fJ i11..piJ't.< ,.,w,.a witlr aJtdinf{ of rrrw lropr. T«<ay, irr thr spir·it of tire Hoi] Sm.vm, it i< f•r "' -,. r-rdrtlimlf .,,,._.,.,,.,_, to Hi.< tmclrinfi' a11d 1r1nllhiJ pm_y lltnl tlrr tilwl of hrf!llrrrhMf ruiU liglrl tlte !""} to a laflin/{ prace iH llri.< trvmblrtl ""'dtl. Ld "·' rtjoia in t1u fntt mtaning •f Clrristmal witA si1fan: nvaena mu//rn,·Aen totlu: rumvl.• of tlrt tmgtl,"Gim1 to God;, II" IUglral, mul ore «Jrih /Jeat:t, ~- will ~ward men." FROM YOUR FR~ENDS AT u.s. UNIT.D •TAT•• NATIDNAL •ANK DP a•••aN Mombor Ftdtrol Dtpooil lnsuro.,.. c..,.ra11o11