Miscellaneous Ceremony

white paper and sealed with red wax.

AUSTRIA - Greenery is used in Austria to banish demons that lurk in darkness during the gloomy days of winter. Holly guards against witches, thunder and lightening. The Advent wreath is an early symbol of victory and glory. On three of the four Sundays of Advent, a candle is lit while the family joins in prayer. Four candles are lit on the final Sunday, denoting the coming of the Savior as the Light of the World. Greenery and apples together signify hope for the forthcoming spring. On Christmas Eve, the family gathers and sings carols. Father lights the first candle and Christmas Eve dinner is served. The second candle is lit on Christmas Day; the third on New Year's Day when the festivities end. Linzer cake and nut butter rounds are holiday treats.

NORWAY - The nisse, a delightful elf, doubles for Santa Claus and moves into all good Norwegian homes for Christmas. He's likely to play pranks ... but on the whole, he's a highly acceptable roommate. Nisse comes in all ages, but the young and old alike sport jaunty red caps. Woe unto the family that forgets to leave a saucer of porridge and cream outside the kitchen door on Christmas Eve. When the plate is licked clean the next morning, only the most unimaginative Norwegian would say the cat had eaten the handout. In Norway, wood shavings are fashioned into ornaments ... geometric designs, snowflakes, animals and birds. The Norwegian flag is displayed on the Christmas tree.

MEXICO - Holiday season in Mexico means fireworks, feasting and frivolity. Legend has it that a boy named Pablo, eager to visit the manager in his village church, was saddened because he had no gift. So he brought green branches from a bush beside a dusty road. Soon, scarlet star-shaped flowers topped each branch. They were called poinsettias or 'Flowers of Christmas Eve'. The Mexican pinata was originally an earthenware jug disguised as an animal, person or some curious object, then filled with toys and things to eat. Blindfolded children crack the hanging pinata with sticks until it is broken and the goodies fall to the ground. The Ojo de Dios, or God's Eye is a popular decoration. Mexicans display luminaries... bags weighted with sand and each holding a lighted candle ... during the holidays.

GERMANY - Germany is the homeland of the Christmas tree, and is best known for keeping customs of Christmas. The gingerbread house is a favorite custom for children. 'Cradle rocking' was a part of many German Christmas church services. Altar boys rocked a cradle containing an image of the Christ Child as the congregation sang carols. Many of our favorite Christmas carols come from Germany. St. Nicholas leaves presents wherever he finds hay and water that children have put out for his horse.

NETHERLANDS - In Holland, boys gather in the market place at two o'clock, Christmas morning to sing carols. The leader carries a star on top of a long pole, a symbol of the wonderful star of the East. The boys follow in a procession about the town, singing, "We Three Kings of Orient Are." Long ago, Saint Nicholas was chosen by the people of the Netherlands as the patron saint of children. The arrival of the generous saint on December 5 (St. Nicholas' Eve) marks the beginning of the holiday season. He arrives dressed in a bishop's robe and miter from Spain in a boat filled with gifts. He disembarks, riding a great white horse and accompanied by a small helper called Black Peter. A parade through the city follows, with excitement building for both young and old. During the weeks before December 5, it is said that St. Nicholas listens at doors and chimneys to learn if the children are good. Then on this special day, he questions them about their behavior and promises to leave toys if they have been good. The children leave their shoes before the fireplace and in them put hay and a carrot for the horse; cookies and candy for the saint. Most Dutch families