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This newspaper page contains 5 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Acton Free Press
Location
Acton, Ontario, Canada
Date
Dec 23, 1969
Page
13
The Salvation Army helps children and the elderly by providing stockings and treats to those unable to afford them. Officers open center doors to the lonely and homeless, sharing faith, hope, and love that strengthens the community beyond the holiday season. Support is urged to continue spreading joy and the true meaning of Christmas to those in need.
A survey of Christmas traditions abroad notes torchlit ski rituals in Austria and hay in Polish homes, Santa aliases from Denmark to Scotland, Befana in Italy, Lucia in Sweden, and Boxing Day in Britain. It cites varied dinners, gifts, and feasts across cultures, plus a 1903 transpacific cable milestone between San Francisco and Honolulu.
A historical survey traces festive Canadian Christmas feasts from 1536 to the 19th century. It notes Champlain’s 1606 dining club at Port Royal, lists lavish winter meals across Quebec, Fort Edmonton, and Toronto homes, and contrasts past revelry with modern sensibilities while praising Yuletide meals and communal warmth.
Mistletoe is linked to healing and poisons in ancient beliefs. Customs demanded a berry be removed after each kiss. A Norse tale explains Balder’s death by a mistletoe spear, and tears became its berries, giving the plant its love symbol.
The article surveys the origins of Christmas legends and customs from biblical times to later eras, noting religious and secular traditions, some confirmed by church records and research, while others blend fact with myth and reflect evolving celebrations through history.
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