December 20, 2019 Issue, Page 22 of 22

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PG12 HOMETOWN TIDINGS, Friday, December 20, 2019 \Whare aha it all beg? hristmastime is here. The Saturn with partying and gift-giving. presents are being pur- During the winter solstice, green During this hectic time of year, may we pause to chased and wrapped. The branches served as a reminder that reflect on God's Gift to us and the purpose of His Gift. stockings will soon be hung spring would arrive anew. Germans are on the fireplace mantle. Mistletoe is credited with first bringing evergreens Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. pinned above the front entryway, and into their homes and decorating them. poinsettias add rich color to home de- This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. SANTA CLAUS cor. And all were proceeding to register for the census, everyone to his own city. Santa Claus’ origin story can be Tradition is integral come the holiday And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is traced to St. Nicholas, a Christian bish- called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, season. Throughout the month of De- op who lived during the fourth cen- cember, traditions fill people’s days and tury. St. Nicholas was very generous In order to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. comprise the many reasons why indi- viduals decorate, celebrate and dine and gave away his fortune to help the ‘And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for herto give birth, the way they do this time of year. But needy. He also did various other good ‘And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, deeds. St. Nicholas became infamous because there was no room for them in the inn, few may know the origins of some of the most beloved holiday traditions. and began to be known by various And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over names around the world. The Dutch their flock by night. CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS called him Sinter Klaas, which was ‘And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; The Christmas stockings of today eventually transformed to Santa Claus. and they were terribly frightened. may be a byproduct of various tradi- The jolly persona came later when 20th ‘And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, | bring you good news of a great joy which tions. One such tradition dates back century advertisers — especially the shall be for all the people; to a Dutch custom in which children artists responsible for Coca-Cola ads — For today inthe city of David there has been bom for you a Savior, who is Chit the Lord, And this willbe a sign would leave shoes full of food to feed portrayed Santa in a red suit with a big for you: you will ind a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.” St. Nicholas’ donkeys, and then St. smile. And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Nicholas would leave small gifts in re- "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” MISTLETOE turn. ‘And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began Mistletoe is hung in doorways, and saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened Another origin story of Christmas couples who stand beneath are en- which the Lord has made known to us.” stockings can be traced to the 12th couraged to share a kiss. The tradition And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. century, when nuns would leave socks of hanging it in the house goes back to full of nuts, fruit and tangerines for the And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. poor. This is why some people still put the times of the ancient Druids. Mistle- toe was thought to bring good luck toa And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured tangerines in Christmas stockings. up all these things, pondering them in her heart. household and ward off evil spirits. The CHRISTMAS TREE custom of kissing under mistletoe can And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. Christmas Trees are everywhere this be traced to England. Originally, a berry time of year. The use of evergreen trees was picked from the sprig of mistle- God's Gift, God's purpose of His Gift, was for us We are the reason for the season, we are the reason Jesus came. It is God's great Gift of His love that has been given to us, “For God so loved the world that he gave His only predates Christmas and is associated toe before the person could be kissed. begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 with the pagan festival of Saturnalia, When all the berries had gone, there which celebrated the agricultural god could be no more kissing. Merry Christmas From All Of Us At LuGreg Trucking