S.A.M. Christmas in Sidney

Fine traditions behind first gifts

The beloved tradition of gift-
giving at Christmastime began, as
we all know, just after the birth of
Christ, when the Three Wise Men,
following their guiding star from
the East, arrived to adore the infant
Jesus, and each brought with him a
valuable tribute.

Gold, according to tradition (not
the Bible, which neither names
nor numbers the Magi), in the
form of a box containing a shrine,
was brought by Melchoir, the King
of Arabia.

Frankincense, contained in a jar,-

was brought by the youngest of the
Magi, Caspar, the King of Tarsus,
and myrth, carried in a golden
horn, was brought by Balthazar,
the King of Ethiopia.

We all know what gold is, but
frankincense and myrth - both out
of common use in this century —
may mystify many people.

Both are aromatic substances,
which had great value in the
ancient world. Frankincense is the
gum of a tree native to India and
the northern reaches of Arabia.

An essential ingredient in the
holy anointing oil used by the
officiators at the Temple in Jerusa-
lem, it was a substance whose use
was familiar only to the privileged.
It was burned also as incense:
therefore, its sweet fragrance was
familiar to worshipers.

Myrrh, the gum of a bush or
small tree which, in antiquity,
edged the shores of the Red Sea,
and grew in southern Arabia, was
also an ingredient in the anointing

oil, a blend of rare and precious

substances, to be sure.

Credited with the virtue of eas-
ing suffering, myrrh was mixed
with wine to make a soothing

REMEMBER

TO USE
YOUR

WORKWEAR

drink offered to Christ while He
was on the cross— a drink He
refused, choosing to remain con-
scious and keenly aware of the
suffering He was undergoing.

Myrth often was used to ready
the dead for burial; it was one of
the spices brought by Nicodemus
for Christ, after the crucifixion.
Thus Christ received the same gift
after death which He was given at
birth.

In addition to its intrinsic value,
each of the gifts brought by the
Wise Men to the Christ Child had
a symbolic value, as pertinent
today as it was in Biblical times.

Gold, one of the purest of all
substances, represents virtue.
Sweet-smelling frankincense,
because its burning frequently
accompanied religious ceremo-
nies, came to be a symbol for
prayer, and myrrh, with its acrid
fragrance, both a balm that eases
pain and an anointment for the
dead, represents suffering.

When did the Magi arnive at the
manger? While guesses range
from 12 days after Christ’s birth,
to two years following the event,
their arrival is celebrated tradition-

ally on Epiphany, also known as
Twelfth Night, which falls on Jan-
uary 6th. _

In certain countries, such as
Spain and Italy, it is on Epiphany,
rather than Christmas Day itself,
that gifts are exchanged.

A holiday of much merriment,
governed by a Lord of Misrule (a
holdover from Satumalia revels of
Roman times), it was an occasion
for practical jokes and tricks.

It was also the occasion, in parts
of Europe, for ceremonies warding
off the devil, should he roam
abroad on that night.

And it is the finall day of the
Twelve Days of Christmas, origin-
ally set out in the Sixth Century by
the Council of Tours:

As such, the climax of the
Christmas season, it is a time of
great joy, depicted through all
etemity by the image of the Three
Magi, on their knees adoring the
Christ Child, and symbolizing
their worship with the most pre=
cious substances they knew: gold,
frankincense and myrrh.

Special Sidney shopping nights

Ladies’ shopping night in Sidney?!

Tuesday, Dec. 15th 6 - 9 p.m.

Special Discounts — Great Door Prizes — Major draw at 9 p.m. on

Beacon Ave.

Men’s shopping night in Sidney!

Tuesday, Dec. 22nd 6 - 9 p.m.

Special Discounts at participating stores
Late night and Sunday shopping in Sidney
Most stores are open Sunday,,Dec. 6, 13, and 20th 11 a.m. - 4 pm.

(some stores may vary).

They’re also open Thursday Dec. 17th, Friday Dec. 18th, Monday Dec.
21st, and Tuesday Dec 22nd until 9 p.m. (some stores may vary).

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WORKWERR

DOLLARS FOR

CHRISTMAS!

Thousands of

100% Cotton

Sweaters

Assorted Colours

Great Looking
Men’s Cotton

Sport Shirts
STARTING q _

TheReview

Wednesday, December 2,1992 — 8

COLORFUL LIGHTS LIT up the night sky last year during the
annual Parade of Lighted Boats. Although last year’s event
was Celayed for one evening because of high winds, those
brave souls aboard the many participating vessels made
the most of it and had an enjoyable experience two nights
in a row. This year organizers expect about 120 boats to
cruise past the foot of Beacon about 6 p.m. Saturday.

Thinsulate
Ski
Gloves.

100% Cotton

Three Pair Pack of
Polar Paws
Thermal US

NOW

Longsleeve
‘T-Shirts

Mock Necks &
Turtlenecks

5th STREET

South of Beacon

SIDNEY Open Everyday 656-1970

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