The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1929-12-25

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER rs, 1929
Christmas Lore
- HRISTMAS is observed in commemoration of the
I birth of Jesus Christ, but it is really day set
- apart for the celebration of an event, rather
than actual anniversary While among the masses
Christmas is supposed to be the birthday of the Saw
or scholars and educated persons generally under
stand that the day. the year, of Christs birth
is not definitely known.
The date, December g. approximates that of the
Roman Saturnaia the winter festival of the heather
Britons the Scandinavian Yule and the later Roman
festival of the sun-god Mithra
Christmas having become through the centuries
almost universal festival it is but natural that
many odd customs and supersttons should have been
connected with its observance in various countries and
at various periods.
One of the oldest supersttions was that animals
were endowed with the power Of speech Christmas.
According to another persons born on that day
destined to be lucky all their lives. Polish version
was that what did Christmas would govern his
actions during the following year.
According to an ancient belief, each kind of ever
used for decorative purposes at Christmastide
conferred special blessings those who passed under
it. To pass under holly insured good fortune, bay
denoted victory, while laurel impaired beauty and
poetic skill Horses washed and bled on the day
following Christmas means of preserving them
from harm.
The mythical Santa Claus has been known by many
names-Krs Kringle, st. Nicholas, Knecht Ruprecht,
Robin Goodfellow and others. In Germany, Christ
mas visitor known Krampus, an ugly dwarf, was
supposed to carry off naughty children
Christmas not adopted a regular festival
by the Christian church until the fourth century, since
IFS has tho
civilized world carrying its message of "Peace on
earth; goodwill toward men,"
Why Women Are Late
- ROM time mmemoral husbands have complained
r of the long time it took their wives to dress;
men have observed that women did not heed the
tight of time, but carried seemingly interminable
telephone conversations without realizing how long
they talked, and
This apparent lack of regard for time by the fair
sex has been the source of endless comment-often
profane But now it has all been explained, thanks to
modern psychology.
Exhaustive tests conducted at Johns Hopkins Uni
versity show that just naturally can't help it.
They don't realize the meaning of "tempus fugt"
These tests developed the fact that women on an
average estimate the time it takes them to perform
given task at about onehaf the actual time requir-
ed Dr. Isabel Stewart who conducted the tests which
were made with 1854 students, both and women,
said:
"Men estimate accurately. The inaccuracies
of women imply that time really shorter to wo-
men than to men,"
Which recalls the joke of paragrapher who
wrote: married men do not live longer; it just
seems longer"
A North Dakota Idea
~ OMETHING unusually fine in civic life is report
- ed in article by B. S. Palm of the Department
of Agriculture who tells of a community park for
both town and rural people, established Niagara
N. D.
This park is financed, owned maintained and oper-
ated by representatives of the town and country
pulation, who meet there on equal terms in spirit
of neghborliness for mutual enjoyment. Chautauqua
courses, athletic games and contests, picnics and
various club and community meetings held in the
park, which is a real community center
It is splendid idea. 1t is an idea that ought to
spread and be put into action throughout the land
The interests of town country people are identical
in the larger They should fraternize more be-
come better acquainted and develop spirit of mutual
helpfulness
The people of Niagara and Grand Forks county
have set fine example for other communities to en-
ulate.
A professor says radio is killing jazz. We doubt
Il hut if SO it is justfable homicide.
@ q
Women rule a certain tribe of Indians in Peru
,cb indicates that American civilization is spread
ing.