;vyA¥# S 1:. Iv \ 1 N ( i t 1 I I (, \ I, (.) S I \( [ 1 S Ci V'l) 1 u M !■ 4 2, I s s II H 5 3 L2 i; c H M li u K, 2 5, 1 8 9 8 YES. VIRGINIA A CHRISTMAS LETTER If It Says It In The Sun - It Must Be So m Girls Letter Sparks Investigation into Christmas little did 1 know what 1 was getting myself into. I had no idea where I would find Virginia, as Henry Wadsworth Chiif I.cadSiiuor Spicuil Innstip^Lilivc KiforUr there was no return address on the envelope, c-' liiiiuir liililor but with the help of some Newsies, 1 was not only able to find her, but 1 was able to learn Every year during the Christmas season, it what the real story of Christmas is for myself seems like we are always looking for the perfect One thing I discovered on my search is that story here at Jlic Sun. Tliis year was no different. the truth of Christmas is the same yesterday, As today, Christmas Day, drew closer and closer, 1 today and tomorrow. realized that I had nothing fitting for a front page Over two thousand years ago, others — the story. I might as well say goodbye to my job as the shepherds, the magi and many others — were Chief Lead Senior Special Investigative Reporter also searching for the truth...the truth found in a m and Junior Editor of T/icSkii. little baby born in Bethlehem. Maybe you arc on But as fate would have it, rather as Providence a search for truth this Christmas as well. What 1 would have it, 1 received a letter in the mail just discovered these past few days is the same thing a few short days before Christmas. Here is what others before me have discovered and others after it said: me will discover...that Jesus is the Way, the Truth "A Ir ihiiiic is \ irguiia and iiiv jathcr alii'ai'ssavs and the Lite. And what is even more astounding that if it savs it in "Ihe Siin, then it must be so. So is that He is also searching for us. He desires to eoiild Yon lerite the real story oj Christmas in your give us His gift of eternal life and peace in Him. paper so that niv Papa leill believe itC So, yes, Virginia, there is a Savior. Aid, if the As 1 read this letter, I thought it was the SON says it, it's so! perfect, quaint idea for this front page article. The true story of Christmas... Christmas Traditions around America From Christmas treeS; to decorations^ to cards - Americans love anything Yule-tide having to write long letters. Christmas for the blood that was shed. JOSEY BOZZO caroling was a family activity used for A fir tree would be chosen as the l ealitre lulitor the purpose of collecting money and Christmas tree. It would be placed on a table INSIDE THE SUN food for the needy. top in the parlor and decorated. Victorian THIS SPECIAL EDITION Christmas in Victorian England was a Food preparations began months in decorations ranged from the practical; joyous occasion. People spent their time advance. Mince forpies and plum puddings fruits, popcorn, candie.s, small cakes, to the visiting with tamil)', en|oying the best foods to be served at Christmas dinner can take whimsical; musical instruments, miniature of the year and collecting necessities for the up to three months for the tasty flavors furniture, tiny boxes, baskets, jewels and 1898 IN REVIEW also the crafty; lace doilies, banners, unfortunate. Gifts were not the main focus to fully mature. PRICES AND ADVANCELS and attending church was an important Victorian decorations for Christmas were cutouts, pin cushions. part ofthe Christmas celebration. a family effort. Father and children would On Christmas Eve, father would choose Christmas cards and Christmas caroling venture out into the nearby forest to collect a freshly cut piece of wood to be the are traditions that have their origins in the greenery: evergreen boughs, holly bunches Yule log. The log would be set in the fire place, sprinkled with oil and spices while RECIPES Victorian era. Both are some of Englands and mistletoe. The greenery would be CLASSICS NEW EAVO RITES oldest Christmas customs. .Sending strewn about the house. The colors of saying prayers and then ignited. The Christmas cai'ds began as a quick way to which point towards Jesus; green for the log is kept burning for the twelve days... wish families Merry Christmas without continuance of life through Him and led Continued on Page 5 ERUITCAKE S NU r rv PAST & traditions O Christmas Tree beneath it for them on Christmas day. NEW CHURCHES But, what is the history ofthis most beloved SPREAD INC; COODWl l. l. PaulaJohnson holiday decoration? Tlie real story of the l-ealiire hlitoi Christmas tree reaches back centuries. In Thomas road On tdiristmas Eve many little children th th century an F.nglish monk went to baptist church Germany to share the love of Ciod with in America will look in wondci at the the people there. He used the triangular ,4 VIRGINIA CHRISTMAS beautv of the familv t.hristmas tree. Tltc) , . ^ i . , | t- > ^ SPECTACULAR ,.n -.1 .1.. OH IHSTM.A5 and dream of the gift.s .hanta w i leave The Chicago Sun 'HiE825JB9e-SPECiiiiP" - Candy Cane ■|HU HISTORY TRAnrnON Kandice Kane FcLiliitr Fdihv The traditional white and red striped candy and its famous peppermint flavor is more than just a holiday treat, it itas iiistory that is not often told. Tlie cand)' cane emerged first because of mothers who used sticks of white sugar as pacifiers for their babies over 350 years ago. in Ib'i'O. a Cologne cathedral choirmaster in Cologne, Germany bent the stick to represent the shepherds staff. He then gave peppermint llllllllllllllllllllllllilllllllllllllllllllllllllllllMlllllllilMIIIIIIII mill I I sticks to the children as a way to keep theii' attention during the live Nativity service. Tlie tradition of using candy canes during Christmas services spread rapidly throughout Europe, along with By Mrrtm Bolton other uses, like decorations tor homes. Tlie candy cane was brought to the United States by a With Lorie Marsh Dmise Thomas German-Swedish immigrant when he decorated his tree with paper ornaments and candy canes. Tlie red stripe was added Based on a story written by Gayle Dargan&f Amy Reed later in the century. I mil I Ill I mi mi A candy cane can be a good object to share the story ofjesus at Christmas. When you turn the candy cane with the crooked end down it looks like the letter |. Tliis represents the J in Jesus, who came to earth as Savior. When the candy cane is flipped so that the crooked end is facing upwards it represents the shepherd's staff. Shepherds were the first to learn of Jesus' birth. Tlie red stripes on the candy aie there to remind us of Jesus' death on the cross as He shed His blood so that we could have eternal life. However, the white stripes I'cmind us of His promise that if we give oui' lives to Him, His blood will wash away our sins, making our hearts as white as snow. J)or) Brooks -J)ran)aJ)irector Reoa liDdel/aldseo - Qorcographer s Aaron Hall Les (Newsie-Downtown) Josh Cleaver Newsie-Main Street, Towns!.' Aaron Westafer Eddie (Newsie-Downtown) Josh Rice Neville Abbey Rice Newsie-MidTown Kaitlyn Matthews Newsie-West Side, Nativity Aticuaant Amanda Silver Newsie-Uptown, Typist, Angel Kaleb Lindevaldsen Newsie-Downtown, Clerk AmySmlssen Newsie-EastSide Kali Jordan Newsie-EastSide Ashton Hunter Newsie-Main Street, Townsperson Kamryn Reynolds Newsie-Uptown, Angel Ben Cleaver Newsie-WestSide Karl Lindevaldsen Editor Brice Heath Newsie-WestSide Kelsey Brooks Newsie-Downtown & Typist 1 Brooke Talbot Elf Keturah Andress Newsie-MidTown Caleb Rice Newsie-Main Street, Townsperson Kristen Breedlove Newsie-Downtown Carleigh Kuntz Townsperson, Typist Kristen Christopherson Newsie-Downtown, Typist 2, Angel Carter Rice Elf, Townsperson Kristen Roth Newsie-Uptown Casey Jordan Moore (Newsie-Downtown), Clerk Kylee Hunter Elf Charles Billingsley Lamplighter Chelsea Morgan Newsie-Main Street, Townsperson Laurie Rice Disgruntled Lady Lucas Smissen Newsie-East Side, Clerk Chris Breedlove Officer O'Reilley, Clerk Maddie Ehrhorn Newsie-Uptown, Typist Colby Jackson Newsie-Main Street, Townsperson, Nativity Attendant Maddie Logan Corrie Mason Townsperson, Typist Newsie-East Side, Nativity Attendant Courtney Pomajzl Newsie-MidTown, Speaking Elf Mary Beth Price Townsperson, Typist Mary Beth Wood Darren Wheelock Townsperson, Clerk, Shepherd Store Owner Elaine Treadwell Ms. Ellie Megan Teel Newsie-West Side, Nativity Attendant Thomas road Newsie-Uptown,Typist, Angel BAPTIST CHURCH Elbe Torres Nativity Attendant MikaylaJobe Emily Brisson Mama Morgan Hunter Newsie-West Side Emily Eto Pete Torres King Our Vision Townsperson, Shepherd We exist to bring glory to (iod Emma Soistmann Newsie-MidTown Phillip Sutton Newsie-East Side, Clerk, King by making a positive difference in tbe lives of people. Gabby Cleaver Townsperson Rachel Castro Frankie (Newsie-Downtown) Our Mission Grace Ehrhorn Stevie (Newsie-Downtown) Ryan Rusk Mailman, Newsie-East Side, Clerk To change our world by developing Christ followers Ingrid Lindevaldsen Virginia, Pointe Sara Landrum Newsie-Downtown, Typist, Angel who love (iod and love people. Isaac Altizer Newsie-EastSide, Clerk Sarah Glass Townsperson, Typist Jack Schonfelder Newsie-WestSide Sheridan Fink Store Owner JONATHAN F/^WELL Jared Bennett Milkman, Clerk, Joseph Sutton Schonfelder Newsie-Main Street, Townsperson Jason Schonfelder Papa Sydney Morgan Townsperson, Shepherd 131-233-3281 Jennifer Crews Understudy Teagan Cooper Newsie-East Side, Nativity Attendant I Muiiiuaiii View fluad Jenny Osterhus Tessa Port Li|nciil)iiri|.