The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-12-25
ManyLegends
HallowedPart
Of Christmas
colorfuI Stories From Many
Lands Handed Down
Through The Ages
BY PHIL WRIGHT
Star Staff Writer

regends of Christmas - older
+ban Christianity itself-are a hal
loved part Of the festival Of
christ's nativity that cling to
memory and grow more priceless
as the years roll by.
Thpv can be found in stories Of
AL lands Stories-some forgotten.
otbers remembered anew with the
anproach of the Christmas season.
Stories that are sacred and sci
,nart-renewed as we remember
tbe legend of the Wise Men and
THE Star of The East"
Remembering Christmas at this
time what has been written of the
words Of the Magi comes to ouI
minds:
What means this Glory round
our feet?"
The Msgi unused, More bright
than noon"
And voices chanted clear and
sweet,
To-day the Prince Of Peace
was born"
Down through the ages, although
no one could have guessed-from
that morn have come the Christ.
mas seasons that for centuries have
called forth legends Of the magic
Of the birth of Christ. Legends that
hive sometimes seemed Fantastic,
unbelievable, yet not impossible.
For centuries children the world
over have sung Christmas carols
and their praise to the very legends
VII Oh today still proclaim "Peace
On Earth, Good Will to Man"
Writer'S, orators and others who
comment at length on Christmas;
its meaning and the many legends
accompanying it, find it practic'
ally impossible to do so without in.
Guiding excerpts from poetry in
their writing, speech and discus.
sons. ..-r.
"Piccola" Celia Thaxter's i'm.
mortal story of the little French
girl gives to the world one of the
early, most comprehensive verses
on the legend of giving and receiv'
ing gifts. Piccola's faith, "That
something must befall every child
on Christmas day." is an example
Of that poem. The story goes that
when Piccols awoke she found a
little shivering bird, a sparrow,
half frozen and hungry had flown
in the window and crept into Pic
eola's wooden shoe.
The idea of Christmas trees is
said to have originated in Ger:
many and was used there before
they were known in America and
In England. The story tells that
NSrtin Luther wishing to show his
children how a fir tree spanked
in the starlight of a frosty night,
placed candles on a tree indoors.
There are many other stories Of
the origin of the Christmas tree
One is that of the good Saint Floren'
tine who is said to have lighted the
first tree for his little friends in
the forest of Alsace.
In Holland Saint Nicholas is a
well known character. The children
are visited twice during the Christ
mas season. St. Nick makes first
visit to see if they have been good
Ae then returns to fill their wood
EN- shoes with gifts - or with
switches.
In England children hang theil
Stockings for St. Nicholas to I'll
sSWe do in America.
In Norway, Sweden and Den
mark a gray bearded elf live
with the family all year and bring
mem gifts at the Christmas sea
son.
In most of the other European
countries gifts are given St. Nicl
NJ return. Bowls of food are place.
ready for the good Saint and chill
wren fill their shoes with hay O
vals Tor Santa who in turn replace
ae gifts with something from hi
Oag full of toys.
~ many South American coun
ules the Christmas season is &C
..ompanied by no snow or cold, eS
I.sp5 on the highest peaks OF tn
mloes mountains. The season !
Usually ssy celebrated during a warn
SSedSoh when the children may g
t gsiefoot and adults enjoy the fes
"!IieS III their shirt sleeves.
j, Ailhough Dec. Is is observes
lure sa with festivities both gay AM
ssa;s W.. religious, the time TO
f1nI giving does not come unit
tbaliu IA s. That day is known a
n.y. me- feast of the Holy King, com
'''ilofating the day the three wis
N0n'inued on Page Two; Col. 1