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Newspaper
Bayard News
Location
Bayard, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Dec 26, 1968
Page
5
Christians mark Christmas with candlelight services carols and hymns recalling the Nativity and the star that guided the Wise Men. The Bible verses from Matthew and Luke frame the celebration as joy reverence and praise for the miracle of the manger.
The article traces Christmas pageants to medieval drama origins. It outlines beginnings in 10th century church dialogues, Easter dialogues, and the rise of mystery cycles across Europe. It notes miracle and morality plays portraying saints, vice, and sins in vivid allegory.
Many widely sold cards carried no Christmas meaning with most designs featuring landscapes flowers kittens and similar visuals. A minority showed manger scenes or religious imagery amid broader secular themes.
Legends tie St Nicholas to generosity and protection for pawnbrokers while robbers in the Middle Ages were called Knights or Clerks of St Nicholas in the New Book of Knowledge.
Wishing "Mele Kalikimaka" is the traditional way to say Merry Christmas in Hawaiian, reflecting local language practice and cultural expression during the holiday season.
The article notes Santa Claus is becoming the favored gift giver worldwide, replacing figures like St Nicholas Eve and Epiphany Eve traditions. It cites Kris Kringle as a German influence, Christkind as messenger, Hoteiosho in Japan, and Grandfather Frost Day in Yugoslavia, reflecting varied regional customs.
The Nativity account notes wise men from the east in Matthew but does not state their number. Tradition of three aligns with three gifts given gold frankincense and myrrh. Some legends interpret the three as symbolizing all humanity.
The article explains the traditional three Magi Melchior Gasper and Baltasar, though St Matthew did not name them. By the sixth century the three figure became standard in legends and Nativity displays show three wise men alongside the manger.
A textured Christmas tree motif features a tree shape with varied fabric colors and a single braid applique. Brass curtain trim lines the sides and top, with a wooden finish visible through the fabric.
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