sign in sign up
<<
Home , Jingle Bells, Little Christmas

THE THIRTY-FOURTH ANNUAL FESTIVAL SUNDAY AFTERNOON, DECEMBER 4, 1949 -- FOUR O'CLOCK THE LITTLE COUNTRY THEATRE

• ,,e :* • , • -4.•;.•;;.•4e

•• The Story Of "Jingle Bells -- Jingle Bells" Chorus Will Sing Carols Santa Claus is the patron saint of Christmas and the most beloved The 34th annual Christinas festi- figure in the legend of childhood. val will be held this Sunday at 4 The modern mythical Santa Claus p.m. in the Little Country Theater. developed from the real person , who was the young- The college chorus under the di- est and kindest bishop in the his- rection of Ernest VanVlissingen tory of the Roman Catholic church. will open the program by singing During the middle ages he gradu• Christmas songs and carols. Don ally became the patron saint of Matson and Ken Kethhner will schoolboys. European schoolboys present several duet selections' or. celebrated his feast day on Dec. 6 the Diana and organ. They will also by electing a boy bishop. provide background for the Dressed in magnificent robes, the entire program. boy bishop led a parade which "The Night Before Christmas," wound through the narrow streets will be given in pantomine by Mic- and sometimes entered the church- key Jones and Margaret Eininger. es. There was much feasting, but on the whole, the occasion was Everyone is invited with special solemn. emphasis placed on the children. Later this custom died out,a1- Santa Claus, in the person of Claire though Nicholas still remained Houglum, will give presents to the favorite saint of children. In all the youngsters. Belgium and The Netherlands Old Main will be decorated in a both young and old still celebrate coat of green for the event, Christ- his feast day. A person repre- mas trees will be featured in the senting the saint and wearing the theater, and colored lights will robes of a bishop rides through prevail everywhere. the streets on a white donkey. Saint Nicholas is kind but he After the festivities, refresh- is also strict. If Hans and Kat- ments will be served in the Lincoln rina have been good children they Log Cabin. find gifts in their wooden shoes. But bad children find only a bundles of switches, in their shoes. Children loved Saint Nicholas so Tree Custom". much and especially his habit of bringing gifts that the custom of celebrating his feast day did not Dates Back die out. The Dutch Settlers in America brought the custom with them to New Amsterdam or New 1200 Years York City. English settlers in America eag- It is generally believed that the erly borrowed the legends and • - . first was of ger-. , . . '''‘.14;i%i.--• , ,....-.... , ..,..- (Continued on next page) .-.1";,....,... e....,.... -,...... ,,,,,,•!..•= 1.,?;!',.7.711"4"...... -. ' „...,;,,, '..... e • „t-:' man origin dating from Boniface,

. _■...,...'"' ,..L..1.. -_-1,...', '''''' ..:;„ an English missionary to Ger- many in the 8th century, who re- Kucera To Conduct placed the sacrifice to Odin's' sacr- ed oak by a fir tree ordained as a Tours Next Week tribute to the Christ child. The Little Country Theater and Accounts persist that Martin the Lincoln Log Cabin will be in Luther introduced the lighted tree full Christmas • regalia following Santa Claus Will Arrive with candles. It is also known that the Christmas Festival Sunday at the German Prince Albert, soon af- 4:00 p.m. ter his marriage to Queen Victoria Monday through Friday the brought the Christmas tree to Theater and the Cabin will be open England. to the students. Tours will be con-, At Old Main Sunday German immigrants are credit- ducted by Mayo Kucera each day ed with bringing the custom to from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. America. Friday, Dec. 2, 1949 Page Two THE SPECTRUM Christmas Christmas Carols Decorating

0 LITTLE TOWN OF Suggestions I An easy way to give your home In Virginia, the old Dominion, 0 little town of Bethlehem, a touch of Christmas is through storied land of early American his- flow still we see thee Lie! table decorations. It must be re- tory, there is an old tradition of Above they deep and dreamless membered 'that harmony is the the origin of the log that is sleep most important aspect of decora- retold every Christmas. The silent stars go by. tion. In a table around the (et in thy dark streets shineth As the family sits The everlasting Light; center piece, work in colors of some and sips their Christmas the hopes and fears of all the years of the foods you plan to use. Pine eggnog on , the an- Christmas carols express better and a great home day with Are met in thee tonight. t needles, red berries, nuts, fruits cient legend is recounted again. neighborly feeling, so it grew than anything else, probably, the II and vegetables may be worked in- One very cold Christmas eve, true spirit of Christmas. and flourished in that country. For Christ is born of Mary, to , beautiful arrangements. when the frosty wind howled across The word "carol" itself signifies Little bands and groups of singers And fathered all above, For added interest and color ex- a world of snow, an old man was joy and was originally used to ac- which sprang up in the towns and While mortals sleep, the angeles periment with metalic paper. Little sitting in his little cabin wishing be known as company a dance. William Wallace villages came to keep figures may be cut out of plastic that he had a fire to warm him. natural explanation of Their watch of wond'ring love. Fyfe concludes that the term carol "Waits." A foam, decorated and used as place the name seems to be that it refers 0 morning stars, together Suddenly be heard the cry of a "signifies a song of joy or exulta- cards. Use your imagination to to watching and waiting, for Christ- Proclaim the holy birth little child away out in the cold. The tion." Another definition states: "A create unusual centers of interest. mas Eve is called the Vigil of And praises sing to God the King, ,old man hobbled to the door and Carol is a hymn of praise especial- And peace to men on earth. The hostess should also wear cloth- gazed out across the snow. The wind ly such as is sung at Christmas in Christmas. III ing that will harmonize with the and the snow came rustling in and the open air." As early as December 21, which is the day dedicated to St. Thomas, Ilow silently, how silently, color scheme. ithe old man shivered until his In England, which gave America The wondrous gift is giv'n! "onliesi two leer chattered with most of its carols, they were some- mummers and carolers would begin Decorating your Christmas tree So God imparts to human hearts, ,cold. - times gay and sometimes convivial going from door to -door, announc- The blessings of His heav'n. need not be expensive. Anyone can until the time of the Puritans, who ing the great feast at hand. It was No ear may hear His coming, make ornaments out of colored con- The plaintive cry of the child tried to suppress the Christmas natural for the householders to But in this world of sin, struction paper and tinfoil. Fruits, came again above the whistle of spirit. offer hospitality to these Christmas Where meek souls will receive Him cookies and popcorn give the tree the wind. It went straight to the After the Restoration, the re- troubadours, and gradually in many still, a more homey effect. Whipped soap old man's heart and he wished with The dear Christ enters in. ligious nature of the day was places the custom of giving alms suds can be used as snow. all his power of longing that he for a time almost forgotten in and presents of various kinds was Your windows provide the op- !might have the strength to go out the reaction from Puritanism, established. portunity to share your Christmas 'and find the unfortunate babe. and the carol was temporarily This benign custom threat- I cheer with the passers by. Express The cry came a third time — and ened at one time in England to this feeling in your decorating. then a wondrous thing happened. A lost in the songs. Silent night! Holy night! . There are many quaint customs become a profession and to lose All is calm, all is bright, Dried weeds brushed with paste msraculous power filled the old man's associated with the early carolers its original simple charm. 'Round yon virgin mother and child. and then dusted with silver or gold veins. His muscles became strong and that might be used today to break For a period beginning just when Holy infant so tender and mild, glitter, accented with multi-color- tense, his crutch fell back into the the monotony of going from house no one knows and ending in 1820, Sleep in heavenly peace, ed balls make beautiful decora- cabin and he stepped from his thresh- Sleep in heavenly peace. to house singing Christmas hymns. there were in London and West- tions. 'old out into the snow. It was about the 16th century minster companies of "Waits" II Little could be Silent night! Holy night! Hurrying over the snow with a that caroling became a Christmas whose leaders held office by pub- used to set it off. Evergreen boughs speed he had not owned since boy- Shepherds quake at the sight! combined with lights, candles, and custom, and is supposed to have lic appointment and who obtained Glories stream from heaven afar, hood, by and by he came to been brought to England from Italy an exclusive right to solicit con- Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia, inexpensive ribbon form interesting a little child lying in a snow bank. by the traveling clergy. The first tributions from the public. Christ the Saviour is born! sprays. Cardboard figures sillouet- He bent down and touched the real is attributed The carolers were often accom- Christ the Savious is born! ed in the window are brought to child and a great new strength to St. Francis of Assisi who made panied by entertainers who gave a III ilife by interior lighting. Final re- flowed over him, a strength which a model of the Bethlehem manger spirit of revelry to the occasions. Silent night! Holy night! sults depend upon your own excit- seemed to give him wings as he to help him tell his people the The mummers often interrupted the Son of God, love's pure light ing creations. 'sped back to his cabin. Christmas story. singing to give their interpretation Radiant beams from thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Arriving there, he placed the The idea of caroling fitted ad- of "St. George and the Dragon." child upon the bed, tenderly drew Tumblers, dressed in bright red, , Lord at thy birth, mirably into the English con- Jesus, Lord at thy birth. the ragged coverlet about it and , ception of Christmas as a com- would perform their arts of skill to ruich 5irot to (//do ,then looked to see if there were a bination of religious celebration entertain the onlookers. 21 !bit of furniture he could use to HARK! THE HERALD cc ff ifibtfelog 'make a fire with which to warm ANGELS SING Magic of the little one. At that precise moment a great Hark! The herald angels sing, . . . from page 1 The greens which are used for log rolled across the threshold and Christmas story Glory to the newborn King; their Peace on earth, and mercy mild, Christmas decorations found into the fireplace. The little child festivities surrounding the kindly He described him as a jolly way into early festivities because looked at the log with eyes like fellow with a broad brimmed hat, God and sinners reconciled! Saint Nicholas. English speaking Joyful, all ye nations, rise, of certain virtues attributed to them stars—stars which sent gleams of children tried to pronounce the huge breeches, and smoking a Join the triumph of the skies; by the ancients, and many of them light that kindled the log with the Dutch name for the saint, San long pipe. Irving's Saint Nicho- With angelic hosts proclaim, which adorned pagan seasonal rites most brilliant fire the old man ever Nicholass. But they said it quick- las rode over the treetops in a Christ is born in Bethlehem. were later taken over to grace the had seen. wagon. He took presents from Refrain ly and excitedly. Soon the name ceremonies and celebrations of The dingy little room immediately was changed to Santy, or Santa pockets and dropped them down Hark! the herald angels sing, Christmas Day. the chimneys. Glory to the newborn King. was filled with radiance and warmth, Claus. In both England and America, and as the light enwrapped the child Only American children say In 1822 Clement C. Moore wrote II for his children the poem "A Visit Christ, by highest heav'n adored, the holly and the mistletoe are as- he laughed and laughed with a mel- Santa Claus and even in America sociated with Christmas as invari- from St. Nicholas," which gives a Christ, the everlasting Lord; ody like a song from the heart. The during the first half of the Late in time behold him come, ably as are the plum pudding and old man turned his eyes to where the 1800's, the saint was still known more familiar picture of the saint Offspring of a virgin's womb. Christmas tree. fire burned and watched the flames as Saint Nicholas or Saint Nick. as we know him today. But even Veiled in flesh the God-head see, It was the Druids who first used leap in beautiful rainbow tints over Washington Irving wrote in the poem, whiCh begins with the In 1809 Hail th' incarnate Deity, the mistletoe. "Heal-all" was their the log, and as his old eyes watched, of the saint as the guardian of familiar line "Twas the night be- Pleased as man with men to dwell, name for it. The plant was supposed the colors seemed to form the shape New York City in his Knicker- fore Christmas," the name of Jesus our Emmanuel! to have curative values, and grad- of the Cross in the fire. bocker's History of New York. Santa Claus does not appear. But III the saint has become a round and Mild He lays His glory by, ually they assigned to it all man- The flames of the Cross leaped jolly figure with twinkling eyes, Born that man no more may die; ner of magic powers. higher and higher, blue, red, yel- Readings For a red snub nose, and a white Born to raise the sons of earth, Their priests, each year around low - and white, and as the old man beard. Born to give them second birth. the time when we now celebrate watched this display, suddenly and The long pipe has become a Ris'n with healing in His wings, Christmas, would have high plat- magically there appeared a table Christmas Light and life to all He brings, in the center of the room, covered stump of a pipe, and his 'wagon Hail the Sun of righteousness! forms built around the sacred oak Students in classes directed by has become a sleigh. His Dutch Hail the heav'n born Prince of trees which, in a manner of speak- with a Christmas feast such as A. ,.G. Arvold, head of the NDAC costume has changed to a suit Peace. ing, were "hosts" to the mistle- never before had been spread be- Speech department, have suggest- trimmed with fur. At some point, toe. Robed in ceremonial vestments fore his eyes. And never again was ed' the following reading for sup- Also, the legend developed in Am- of white, they ascended these plat- the old man hungry or cold, and plementing the '49 Christmas erica that his sleigh was pulled by forms, and with golden sickles espe- never after that was there a Christ- cially made for the solemn occasion mas in old Virginia without the spirit: reindeer. The reindeer appeared in Twelve Suggested Readings for Moore's poem. Probably Scandin- they cut away the mistletoe. Yule log and the Christmas Child Christmas: Bob Cratchitt's Christ- avian settlers in America added the The Saxons also prized it and it to give light and warmth. And that is the story of the Yule mas Dinner, It Came Upon the detail to the story. was they who gave- to it the name log as it is told in Virginia every Midnight Clear (Musical), Man Thomas Nast, the cartoonist, of mistletoe. Christmas eve. Who • Found Christmas, M e r r y gave the 1st picture of Santa Eventually the green came to be Claus, as he is imagined today in symbol of peace. Christmas (From Little Women), regarded as a The ideal Christmas tree is the The Littlest Angel, A Child's a cartoon in 1863. Later his Opposing warriors who met near fir, .because of its tendency to hold Dream of a Star, The Little Match famous drawing "Santa Claus call a truce, and it was it would its needles longer. Girl,. The. Night Before Christmas, and His Works" which appeared customary to hang it over the en- • • • Christmas Carol, Angel and the as a Christmas picture in Har- trance doors so that they who en- A final step in trimming the per's Weekly in 1866, showed be assured of friend Shepherds,. Christ the Saviour is tered might Christmas tree is frosting it with Barrt, (From Ben Hur), Candle in Santa Claus in his workshop ship. with his records of the good and fluffy snow. A simple and popular the Window. form of snow is ordinary soap Twelve Suggested Plays for bad deeds of all children. The drawings also showed the sleigh flakes. ChriStmas: , END OF THE RAINBOW .. . The Bird's Christmas Carol, Christmas with reindeer, the pack of toys, Legend relates that the crown of the stockings hung at the fire rainbow of at least one human de- Guest, A Christmas Chime, Christ- sire had fulfillment at the end thorns which was placed on the muds Burglar, The Night Before place, and the Christmas tree. head of Jesus was made of holly Although Santa Claus is known when Judy Sue Warschauer found Christmas, One Night In Bethle- herself face to face with the doll and that before the crucifixion the hem, The Littlest Shepherd, Why by other names in different lands, berries were white, but turned be stands for the same thing, the of her dreams—and it was the very the Chimes Rang, No Room at one she wanted for Chirstmas. crimson like drops of blood. the Inn, Lighting of the Christmas kindly spirit that the Christ Child Tree, A Light on Beacon Hill. brought into the world. Friday, Dec. 2, 1949 THE SPECTRUM Page Three

England's Most Celebrated Actor a the Platform

A HIT in the British Isles . . A HIT in Canada . Now an Outstanding HIT in the United States

Engla d Celebrated Actor of the NatforOl Festival all • State College THURSDAY, 5 - 8 P. M.

All students of The North Dakota Agricultural College who have paid their activity fee will be admitted upon presentation of their activity card. A limited number of seats will be sold the general public. Scale of prices $2.50, $1.50, $1.00 tax included.

Cali 04 *Ade 14e ear./44, Th.ea,bie, N. .2).

Page Four THE SPECTRUM Friday, Dec. 2, 1949 The Evolution Of Santa Claus His creator was Thomas Nast, one of America's greatest cartoon- ists. During the early 1860's he was asked to illustrate Clement Clark Moore's poem, A Visit to St. Nicholas, better known to us as " 'Twas The Night Before Christ- mas." The result was Santa Claus as we know him. Santa's creator was born in Bavaria in 1840, son of a musi- clan in a Bavarian army band. When he was a fat little boy of six, Thomas' father left Ger- many to enlist in the United States navy, and Thomas° mother brought the boy to New York to live. Along about the time stocky Tom- my was 15 he landed his first job as an illustrator for Leslie's Weekly at OUR WARM AND SIN- $4 a week. By the time he was 20 he was sent to England by the New CEREST GREETINGS GO York Illustrated News to sketch OUT TO YOU AT THIS the Heenan-Sayers fight, an out- standing sports event of the day. )40— HAPPIEST SEASON OF In 1862 he joined the staff of THE YEAR. Harper's Weekly and began the se- ries of emblematic drawings which continued throughout the Civil War. From those he created certain trademarks that have been the in- spiration of cartoonists down to the present—notably the Republican PRESIDENTIAL CHRISTMAS TREE . This was the annual com- elephant and the Democrat donkey. munity Christmas tree in Washington, D. C., as It blazed with light Famous as the political symbolg last year. President Truman, at his home in Independence, Mo., are today, Nast's Santa Claus prob- pushed a button to turn on this holiday brilliance by remote control. Star 0/ eedleAetn ably holds first place in the hearts The White House shows dimly in the background, framed by the tree saga 4Weceeee of Americans. Before Nast's day, and huge Christmas candles. a few artists had drawn Santa on Continued to UZZle one occasion or another, but could Reaucteemut not seem to agree on how the old Y , gentleman should look. "Peace and Friendship . • • odern SchotarJ Nast changed all that. It's difficult to understand, but M Once again Christendom sees the He located Santa's home at The following is from "Peace and Friendship of Men of Good the genial spirit of Christmas, the North Pole and gave him a Santa Claus himself, hasn't always and, like the Will," by Harry S. Truman, President of the United States: Wise Men of old, rejoices with ex- sleigh drawn by reindeer. He "I have come out here to Independence with my family to cele- had it easy. There have been oc- drew the familiar, fat, merry casions when laws or traditions or ceeding great joy. brate the great home festival. For of all the days of the year, Christ- Astronomers have discounted pos- old fellow with red cheeks and regulations have put certain curbs white beard, dressed in red, mas is the family day. Christmas began that way. The moving event on the old gentleman. Here are sibilities that the star may have wearing a cap and boots, carry- of the first Christmas was the bringing forth of the first born in the some examples: been a natural phenomenon since such phenomena occur too far from ing a pack of toys and smoking stable a tBethlehem. There began in humble surroundings the home In Newark, Santa is re- N. J., the earth to serve as any sort of a short pipe. Rife of the , glorified in song and story and in the hearts quired to pass a stiff physical ex- local guide. Modern opinion is, how- The artist then gave Santa a of men down through the centuries. The great joys and mysteries of amination before he can serve in ever, inclined to hold that there was spy-glass so that during the year that event have forever sanctified and enriched all home life. a department store. And even then a Star — although the story prob- he might pick out the good children came he is barred from kissing any of "I am speaking to you from our family living room. As I ably has been touched by Oriental the children who perch upon his from the bad, and also a big book up the street in the gathering dusk, I saw a hundred commonplace imagery. in which to write their names and knee. things that are hallowed to me on this Christmas Eve; hallowed be- St. Matthew suggests that even, keep their records. cause of their associations with the sanctuary of home. I saw the In Charleston, S. C., charity San- the Wise Men may have lost This conception of Santa Claus sight. lighted windows in the homes of my neighbors, the gayly decked tas have been forbidden to make of the star while they were in Je- first appeared in 1863. Since that a pitch on public streets on the rusalem; hence, they rejoiced when time, the pictured Santa has been Christmas trees, the friendly lawns and gardens. . . . I looked at all grounds that children flocking in to it reappeared to their vision as the same, although the spy-glass these familiar things, the same things that you will all see tonight a see them may create traffic they approached the Manger of and pipe seem to have been as you go toward home. Bethlehem. dropped by the way. . . good will, after all, is the very essence of Christmas. . . What could be more appropriate than . . . to dedicate ourselves to PLAY IT SAFE the cause of peace on this holy night? "God that made the world and all things therein . . . hath made of one blood all nations of man for to dwell on the face of the Don't Mix Gaiety With Danger earth. • "In the spirit of that message from the Acts of the Apostles, When Celebrating Christmas I wish all of you a Merry Christmas." While Christmas is the merriest of all seasons of the year it can also be a time of tragedy if certain hazards aren't avoided and some particular precautions taken. The National Safety Council an- nually points out that the Christ- ety, unsafe ladder in decorating hazard. And in Washington a few mas holidays are the most danger- the tree. years ago, when the postmaster ous of the year, usually replete Don't place Christmas candles general was asked to print a Santa with casualties, home accidents, near the tree, curtains, paper Claus stamp at Christmas time he fires and falls. wreaths or any other inflammable rejected the proposal with a scorn- decorations. ful, "I should say not!" The council has listed the follow- ing "don'ts" and precautions which Remember, the Christmas tree Outside the U.S.A., Santa has if remembered will help make this can be made fire-resistant. Accord- had trouble, too. In Montreal, Can- Christmas season a safe one: ing to the United States forestry ada, an influential organization service, it can be done in this man- fought against holding of the city's The Christmas tree shouldn't be ner: Divide the weight of your tree annual on the placed near a stove or fireplace. by four and buy that many pounds ground that it was "merely a dis- Don't give children any toys of ammonium sulphate. Dissolve it play of grotesque and vulgar buf- that could prove dangerous, in water—one and one-half pints foonery." A prominent journalist in such as those with sharp points. of water to each pound of ammo. Rio de Janeiro fostered a move- If toys are operated with elec- nium sulphate. Cut the end of your ment to do away with Santa Claus tricity, be sure some grownup tree trunk on a diagonal. Put some (Papa Noel) in Brazil and substi- supervises their use. tute a toy-bearing grandfather of the solution in a jar and stick The Christmas tree should not be the diagonal butt of the tree into Indian. In Mexico City the minister decorated with lighted candles. MAY THERE ALWAYS of education recommended that the it. Add more solution as the tree Carefully-wired electric bulbs de- drinks it up. BE A SONG IN YOUR Aztec god Quetzalcoatl, instead of finitely are much safer. St. Nick, should bring gifts to chil- Don't be excessive about HEART AS YOU MEET dren. Don't leave a lighted tree un- Christmas "spirits." guarded at any time. One should EACH SUCCEEDING DAY In the field of opinion, Santa has be on the lookout for fire all the Keep toys out of places where people might trip over them. encountered some detractors. A time the tree is lighted. Especially OF THE NEW YEAR. Prof. Ivan E. McDougle, sociologist dangerous is the practice of some Remove the tree from the house at Goucher college, Baltimore, de- families in leaving the Christmas before it dries out. clared: "The Santa Claus myth has tree lighted and unwatched all During Christmas you'll probably lived too long. Parents should sub- night long. have many guests, so sprinkle salt stitute philosophy"—whatever that One should never use a rick- or sand on icy steps and sidewalks. is.