December 22, 2021 Issue, Page 12 of 30

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PG2 HOMETOWN TIDINGS Why are Christmas colors red and green? Many people may not get in the brought beauty and good fortune the congregation from the priest holiday spirit without decorations in the middle of winter — a time and altar. Dr. Bucklow notes that and all the trimmings. Chances are when the landscape is normally Victorians also extended the asso- strong that if you have containers bleak and holly plants thrive and ciation of these colors as a physical full of items just waiting to see the stand out. Celts would regularly boundary to another boundary: the light of day again this holiday sea- bring in sprigs of holly and deco- marking of the end of the old year son, those items are red or green or rate their homes with the plants, and the beginning of a new one at some combination thereof. which feature shiny, serrated leaves Christmastime. Red and green have become the and bright, red berries, as a way to While red and green had associa- traditional colors of Christmas, just guarantee a prosperous new year. tions with Christmas in early times as blue and white symbolizes Cha- Holly also came to be associated through holly and other sources, nukah. But how did this color pal- with the crown of thorns Jesus the connection was perhaps best fellow associated with Christmas as robes perfectly complemented the ette come to evolve? Christ was forced to wear during solidified thanks to a man named we know him today, but rather thin green background and other green Just like many traditions of his crucifixion. Haddon Sundblom. Sundblom was and elf-like. Sundblom portrayed components of the holiday, such as Christmas, the red and green The custom of using red and an artist commissioned in 1931 by him as a chubby man wearing red Christmas trees and holly, that al- scheme has origins that pre-date green continued into the 14th cen- the Coca-Cola company to create an robes, likely as a nod to Coca-Cola’s ready had been solidified as Christ- the Christian celebration. Christ- tury. Dr. Spike Bucklow, a research image of Santa Claus for the com- own red logo, even though the com- mas imagery. mas has borrowed from many of scientist at the University of Cam- educators, pany’s upcoming holiday ads. Until panysupport staffconnection. denies the and admins!Santa Color plays a strong role in cre- the customs of winter solstice cele- bridge, says red and green also this point, versions of Santa were was featured in front of a green brations of ancient peoples, includ- were used to paint medieval rood rarely consistent, with his clothing background. The ads proved popu- ating Christmas nostalgia. Red ing the Celts. Ancient Celtic people screens, which were partitions in- vacillating between green, blue and lar and Sundblom’s Santa became and green are put on vivid display revered holly plants, believing they stalled in churches to separate red. He also wasn’t the plump, jolly the preferred depiction. Santa’s red throughout the season. Merry Christmas! 223 N. Madison Ave Elk City, OK 73644 NMLS #: 478526 • OK Lic# MLO11805 580-799-0905 1501 E 20th St, Elk City, OK 73644 • 580-225-6977 We want to thank all the staff at our local schools for their dedication to our kids daily! 716 W. 3rd Janice’s Cafe LLC Elk City 101101 Meadow Meadow Ridge Ridge Drive, Drive, Elk City, OK • Elk City janicescafe.com 580-225-3442 580-303-9022 • 6AM-3PM 7 Days A Week