Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1913-12-25
TAFTVHLE
Sunday School Exercises Held at the
TaftviIe Congregational Church-An
Interesting Programme.

The Sunday school Christmas exer-
cises Of the Taftville church were held
Tuesday evening. The programme
represented the actual Christmas
customs and beliefs of various coun-
tries, showing what a wealth of quaint
and beautiful ceremonies have grown
UP and associated themselves with
Christmas day. The following coun-
tries were represented: Germany, n or
way, Denmark, Austria, Holland, Italy
England, United States. The Christ
mas scenes depicted were as follows:
Germany-Little Christmas tree lit
with candles; German Christmas carol
by Annie Krauss. Sophie Thoma Au-
gusta ThOma, Katie Leopold, Agnes
Kloss, Elsie Heberding, Carl Kloss,
John Sticht, William Troeger, Lewis
Wohleben. George Krauss, Herman
Krauss; Christmas lady, Clara Thoma;
Master Rupert, Arthur Schof1eld. Mas
ter Rupert gave each of the children an
apple, and the Christmas lady gave
each a cookie.
Norway Blossom Graham, Ethel
Tetlow, Dorothy Wood, Thomas Shar-
pies, Carl KIoss They put their shoes
in row as q sign of family peace, and
put a candle in the window to guide
the Christ-child.
Denmark-Nyra Warrington, Ray
mond Warrington. They took a bowl of
rice and milk up to the attic to feast
up sheaf of wheat on a pole to give
the birds a Christmas feast The VIII
lage band played four Christmas
hymns from the church tower, playing
one hymn facing each point of the
compass. The band included Robert
Pnling, cernet; Thomas Greenwood,
ClaTiOnet; d. B. MacLane violin.
Austria-Hanah Brown. Priscilla Kro-
del Lawrence Radtke, Robert Brierley
and Ethel Harmon They represented
an Austrian family the parents read
to the children the story Of the birth
of Christ. and then a lighted candle
was passed in turn to each member of
the family circle, in honor Of Christ's
birth.
Holand-Thomas Sharples, Raymond
Pfngree These boys We're dated Dec.
g. for that is St Nicholas day, and it
is on that day the boys and girls in
Holland are given presents. They put
oats in their wooden shoes for st
Nicholas horse and spread down a
sheet on which St. Nicholas threw in
their presents.
Italy--Any Pollard represented
Mother Goose, for it is Mother Goose
instead of Santa Claus who gives to
the children of Italy their Christmas
presents, She explained how it was
that she took Santa Claus place. and
also why she came on January 6, in
stead of December %. She put the
presents IN big vase instead of on
the tree.
F7ngland-Ethel Graham, Katherin
Riclletson, F1ossie Mavers, Archibald
Torrance, Harry TeFvis A Christmas
carol was sung outside the church BIZ
the choir. An old-fa hinGe5 Chloug
Christmas mince pie, lighted with can
dies, was brought in. ana it was ex-
planned why if was oblorG ana what
the candles stood fer. 4 P5ritan came
in and broke UP the Chris mas feast
to snow that the PuTitaus tried to
abolish Christmas altogether: but the
feast and merrimeut Of Christmas We're
soon restored. Christmas chimes were
played BY George Muddeman in the
heIfry. and the words of a quaint old
Christmas carol were recited by the
children.
Anerica-For America Santa Claus
app2ared and distributed presents and
caudy to all the children.
Five Christmas hymns were sung by
the audience during the evening, and
there was q song by the primary de-
partment and one by the kindergarten