The Farmville Herald

Baskets for the needy were placed before the manger scene which was a part of the United States celebration along with Santa Claus and the chimney. David White is Joseph; Sandra Haden, Mary, and Johnny Land, Santa Claus.

Christmas Around The World Depicted

By HELEN MASON

AMELIA, Jan. 1 - A colorful and informative exhibit plus an explanation of "Christmas Around the World" was presented by the members of the Elementary SCA of Amelia School.

This program, in which everyone participated, was illustrated by brilliantly colored chalk pictures by the members of each class. Classes and their subjects were:

Mrs. Lillian White's seventh grade exhibited Norway and its customs-the cold country in Northern Europe. Here Christmas lasts for 13 days, chimes ring out at 5 p.m. on Dec. 24 and everyone goes to church. They have Christmas trees, too, which are decorated with colored paper, flags, candles, and stars, suns and moons.

Just to warm up a bit, Mrs. Anna Garnett's seventh grade took a country south of us called Mexico. The religious ceremonies start here on December 16. Families have an altar in the living room and a manger scene. On Christmas eve they have gay patio parties with lanterns strung around and each person carries a lighted candle as they march around. Some of the pupils sang a Christmas song in Spanish.

Mrs. Cecile Saunder's sixth grade presented Italy where December 24 a large supper is eaten. Then, they all attend church. Flowers are everywhere in every room in the house and on stands in the street. This is the beginning of the Christmas season and it ends on January 6.

The members of Mrs. Laura Stengel's fifth grade exhibited France, the country where there are indeed strange customs that we do not use. Christmas here starts on December 6, which is St. Barnabas Day. The Yule Log is cut down at midnight. On Christmas eve a midnight mass is held and each person carries a lighted candle to light their way to the church.

Mrs. Mary Rudershausen's sixth grade class then presented Holland, or the Netherlands, where Christmases are very quaint and simple. Here, Christmas day is purely religious. No gifts are given. Santa comes on December 5, riding a white horse and bringing gifts; a servant hands out candy to the good children or switches to bad ones.

Bringing in the Yule Log is one custom the colonial settlers in America did not bring from England with them. Mrs. Hazel Ward's fifth grade explained. It is bad luck for it to burn only one day so the English are careful to bring in one big enough to last for several days. They use holly and mistletoe in the windows, believing they have protective powers. We owe England the custom of sending Christmas cards.

Christmas is celebrated in Spain on January 6, according to Mrs. Lillian Coleman's class. On January 5-they hold the parade of the three kings and there is singing and dancing in the streets. A midnight mass is held in the churches.

Near the conclusion of the program Mrs. Carolyn Brandt's exceptional class gave a brilliant example of Christmas in the "good old USA."

Johnnie Lee was narrator for the program which was followed by the singing of a few carols and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas", led by Mrs. Alfred Patrick, music teacher.