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Facts and Fancies By Connie Allen Twelfth Night -- Jan. 6, the day the Wise Men visited the Christ Child. These wise men, called Magi, were a sect of priests among the ancient Medes and Persians. They were. celebrated for their enchant- ments, their learning as astrol- ogers, and for great wisdom. It is from the Magi that we have the word “magic’’ given to the art of enchantment. Baboushka -- In Russia an old woman was supposed to have misdirected the Wise Men when they asked the way and refused to shelter the Holy Family when they fled into Egypt. Now she journeys through Russia knocking on doors, holding a candle close to each child’s face as he lies sleeping. After slipping a toy under the pillow, she hastens away, still searching for the Babe of Bethlehem, whom she has never found. The First Christmas Card-- It is reputed that the first Christmas card, as_we now. ila} ej of O ria’s favorite painters. He sent lithograph copies to his friends. Boxing Day - In England, Dec. 26 is known as Boxing Day and it is during this time the English exchange gifts. Its origin antedates Christmas, being traced to a Roman cus- tom of giving and receiving presents during the Saturnalia. Saturnus, who taught the arts of agriculture, was dedicated to welcoming the germinating impulse in nature. 1t was dur- ing the reign of this Italian deity that peace, happiness, and innocence abounded and was indeed, the Golden Age of Italy. The Saturnalia was . not a day but a season of cel- ebration given up to revelry. THE GALLEY 823 Washington St. (Near Ripley) 1/4.Lb. BURGER 99° | 5 5 a =} 3 8 uodnoo | Good Thru 12/31/84 ' at the Galley - Alpena fl We also have chicken, fish and shrimp. Tuesda’ A Christmas Fautary By Agatha Sytek “Blue light special now flashing in the Decorations De- partment, where we are featur- ing for the next five minutes- Christmas tree ornaments at 10% off the regularly mark- ed price.” The intercom blares its bar- gains as | patiently wait in the “Express Lane’’ at the local K-mart store. | glance at my watch as perspiration outlines my cinnamon cheeks. | have been waiting in the eight item or less’’ lane for the past fifteen minutes and | have ex- actly one minute to drive through seven minutes of traffic to attend by college journalism class. Creeping around my ankles are burst- ing shopping carts whose oper- ators are hidden behind the packages. “Ouch,” my lower back has been probed. As | turned to detect the source of my pain, | of ish brow oversized, red ski hat. A high- pitched, boyish voice squeak- ed, “Sorry, lady, it was this dumb Christmas star. My mom wanted it for the top of our tree. | don’t know why, it’s so ugly,” he grunted. My attention focused on the scruffy lad and my anger as well as my pain began to melt. “Christmas” | thought, “Is that why I'm here?’ “Did -he say Christmas star?” | began to examine the star. “Hmmm,” | thought to myself, “the boy has a point. It certainly lacks appeal.”” “The problem,” 1 reasoned, “was that it was just too simple.’ Suddenly the star caught a glimmer of light. Its brilliant hue cast a spell on my emo- tions, The object's simplicity transformed into a quiet mag- nificence that enthralled me. The activity around me began to fade. My body relaxed while my thoughts were cap- tured in a web called Christ- mas. | closed my eyes as ahum of traditional carols enveloped me. Immediately a wild rush of fragrant pine; warm spices and bright lights invigorated my senses. Visions of lacy snowflakes and fragile icicles sent shivers throughout my body. The beauty of the sights, sounds and smells seemed to be asking me what | thought about them. | re- sponded with a sigh of satis- faction but then tried to form a definition of the season. | identify much of my Christmas with the material traditions it involves. For ex- ample, the Christmas tree, or- naments, feasting, exchanging of gifts, caroling and religious observances. In_my early youth the holi- day season meant the arrival of Santa Claus, Frosty the snowman and a dull Christmas Eve service. As | advanced into early adulthood, however, my conceptions of Christmas have changed. ! continue to cherish the e } iment, however, is super- ficial when compared to the spirit of reconciliation the season brings. It mysteriously compels one to release his de- fenses and extend a hand to a stranger. For a brief 24 hour peroid every year mankind touches the aspiration of peace. Because man always. falls victim to his flaws, the concept of “Peace on Earth” will never completely occur. Peace within oneself, however, is the wise mans answer to earthly peace. It is with that peace that | define Christmas. A smile was beginning to crease my lips as my thoughts travelled from the peace | hope to obtain to the irritating calling now ringing in my ears. “Ma’am, Ma‘am, do you want this or not;” . “Huh, what,” | opened my eyes to the impatient ques- tions of a clerk dressed in a pale, turquoise: company jac- ket. “Will it be cash or charge?” | murmured, “Cash” and nervously collected the amount from my wallet. Sensing a pair of strangely familiar eyes penetrating my back, | turned to discover the same boyish features that led me through my Christmas fan- tasy. Fighting the emotion that constricted my body, | playfully touched the tip of the boy’s nose and grabbed the star. “Tell your mother that | think the star is beautiful.” | handed it to the exasperated clerk and added, “Include this with my purchase.” | gave the star to the boy, extended my Christmas greetings and fled into the seven minutes of traffic. , December 18,1984 Page 5 FACTS AND FANCIES By Connie Allen Christmas is indeed the cel- ebration of the birth of Jesus, the Holy Babe of Bethlehem, who grew into the Christ. He is the founder and center of a religion which proclaims one of the foremost philosophies of human conduct. The roots of Christmas ob- servance, however, go deeply. into the folklore of the Druids, Scandinavians, Ro- mans, and Egyptians. What we may read of Christmas in an- cient days finds it’s full flower in the past and present cus- toms of our ancestral homes in Europe. There is not a Amer- ican home that does not color its Christmas with some Eur- Opean observances - gift - give- ing, trees, greenery, food, games, or ritual. Christmas is today’s name for the Yule, or Jul of the northern Europeans, the Noel of the French, the Noche- . buena of the Spanish, and the Weinachten of the Germans. Mass, the feast in honor of the Nativity of Jesus. Sometimes Christmas is written “Xmass”’ because “X"" is the Greek equivalent of “ch” and, there- fore, is taken to represent the word “Christ”. Why choose your credit union? We offer more tips on saving and borrowing. Savings - Loans - Insurance Mutual e Soci © CUNA # Insurance S