Now And AIways
NOME SANITARY SERVICE
we <\R6
QRAteful
On Christmas,
as on every day, we are
thankful for the many
friends whose loyalty to this
concern is unquestioned.
Merry Christmas.
BUILDERS SUPPLY
COMPANY
Christmas Rites
Have Origin In
Pagan Customs
Through the years, historians
have been unable to fix the actual
date of Christ’s birth or the date
at which Christmas first became
a general festival.
For three centuries following
His birth, Christ’s nativity was
variously celebrated in January,
March, April, May, September
and October by Christian groups.
Before the Fifth Century there
was not official church agreement
as to when Christmas should come
in the calendar.
In Britain, I)ecember 25 had
been a festival since early pre
Christian times. The ancient An
glo-people began their year on
this day and called their holiday
“Modranecbt” (mothers’ night).
Western church authorities met
in the Fourth Century to set a
definite date for the celebration.
Eastern churches did not cooper
ate until the Sixth Century, when
December 25 was set as the day
for the observance of Christmas.
Folks often question why De
cember was selected as the month
for rejoicing.
This month was chosen in order
that a Christian festival could
compete with those of the pagans,
because December was noted for
its feasts and holidays in every
civilized land.
Homans, Greeks, Saxons and the
Nordics all took part in the cele
bration of these festivals which
had originated before the birth of
Christ.
From the Romans comes the
custom of giving gifts . . . for this
custom has been traced to the
Roman feast of Saturn (Saturn
alia), which was celebrated during
December 17, 18 and 19.
From the Saxons comes the cer
emony of burning the Yule log,
which was lighted in honor of
their great god Thor.
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May tltof com* to yo
at tkU dtoUday SeaAc
» all tlta poociouO tlu*u
•l Ufa JfaoltU, affopf
MOU and many loitu
fatHcf'iltipO.
ALASKA AIRLINES
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to some people it's a pleasure to remember
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