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This newspaper page contains 6 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Harper Herald
Location
Harper, Texas, United States of America
Date
Dec 22, 1967
Page
16
The piece notes candles' place in Christmas lore with a Christmas Eve rite in Ireland where a large candle is snuffed only by a named Mary. It recalls myths of Jesus Mary and Joab visiting the Holy Isle and mentions the Christ Candle burned in windows to light His way when no room is found for Him.
The article notes scarce fats in early days and children gathering waxed berries for candles. A Christina Eve candle ritual promises a long life and a happy year, with a verse advising burning a berry candle to secure luck for the year.
The piece traces Christmas trees to medieval miracle plays, showing how a fir tree with apples symbolized the Paradise Tree and foreshadowed Christ. It notes Advent timing and the later use of lights to symbolize Christ as the light of the world, with pyramidal frames and candles fostering the nativity visualization.
Christmas carols come from many lands with Europe shaping classic hymns. Luther’s Away in a Manger and God Rest You, Merry Gentlemen reflect German and English roots, while O Holy Night came from France. Americans wrote It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, We Three Kings, and O Little Town of Bethlehem. Jingle Bells also stems from a clergyman.
A reflection on the Christmas rose linked to legends of the Nativity. An angel, a shepherdess, and petals turning pink as the Christ Child is touched. The piece traces gifts, kissing rings, and the tree with lights as evolving customs. It ends with a Biblical benediction recalling the angels’ message.
A fragmented Christmas legend mentions a Magic Mule and the Camel of Jesus. One tale describes a traveler feeding his mule to a tree, the tree bending to honor the Holy Infant, and the mule rising again to greet its master. Another tale links the camel ridden by the Wise Men to the Nativity and a moral meaning.
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