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B Tyrolese Song" Became Great Hymn "Silent Night"

in the Austrian Alps. is tile, regions known as the Tirol -' the land in the mountains"- is-to be found the birthplace is silent Night, Holy Right. Here. the towering Tyrolean peaks. centuries old and famed for their snow-capped grandeur rise in lofty simplicity into the cool. clear air. guarding little smiling, peaceful valleys.

Far up in these Apine moun- taina. where love of music is aa- ture's gift to every child. nestles the remote town of Oberndorf. Austria. It was here that years ago in 1318 lived a devout young Lutheran pastor. the Rev Joseph Mohr.

Together with his friend. the village schoolmaster and church organist. Franz Gruber. Pastor Mohr destined to give the world this beautiful and most famous of all Christmas hyinns-

The two men. both lovers of great music. had often talked of the fact that "the perfect Christ- mas song had not yet been found". Meditating on this thought. Mohr sat in his church study on Christ- mas Eve. 1818.

Outside. the hushed silence of the night heightened the snow- covered beauty and peaceful still- ness of the mountain scene. The purity and calmness of the high peaks filled his heart with radi- ant peace and joy of the first Christmas tidings. "Jesus. The Sa-l vior Is Born".

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The thoughts which had been long forming in his mind sud- denly found clear. musical expres- sions that night in the song which we have since come to know and love as Silent Night. Holy Night.

The next morning. Christmas Day, Reverend Mohr hurried to his friend's home with the manu- script of his precious song. Gruber read it intently and exclaimed with uncontrolled enthusiasm. "Friend Mohr, you have found it-the right song---God be praised!"

Gruber. thrilled with the spirit of his friend's verses, at once set to work to compose a perfect mel- edy for "the perfect song".

Music By Bach, Hanciel

For I great many people the music of Bach and Handel make difficult listening - until Christ- mas comes around. Then. sudden- ly. everybody starts singing and humming tunes by the two old masters.

The reason for this is that hath Bach and Handel were church mu- sictans. One of their tasks was to eompoae songs for church congre gationa to sing. They proved them- selves masters of beautiful. easily followed melodies in their Christ- mas music. Our most famous Christmas oratories and carols came from Bach and Handel.

"How Brightly Beams the Morn- ing Star" was composed by Bach and his "Christmas Oratorio" con- tains the themes of several other popular choralea.

DID YOU REMEMBER-..

...tn take home a few extra toys? If you are expecting two or. fry to? drop in. you can be sure six will. show up. And three toys and slxi ”Peace,-

three neighborhood small

children do not enhance

on Earth.” ' DID YOU REMEMBER...

To check the Christmas 1181118? Not day before yesterday Not last week. We mean right now A few stores are still open a you can supply new ones. pick up a few more ornaments too DID YOU REMEMER..'..

Those

in. DID YOU REMEMBER...

so using strangers

around your town 'l

tree

To hang some kind of Christ- mas decoration outside the house

Dec. 19.

Finally. the soft. flowing air we now use came to Franz.

"It sings lteelf. your song". he cried to the delighted priest. Gru- ber's real contribution to music lies in the beauty and simplicity of the tune. in its perfect blend- ing in spirit with the pastor's ver- sea. The two men then sang the hymn over together. to have it ready for the church devotions that night.

Later in the same evening. when the villagers were gathered in the grey little church. Reverend Mohr and Gruber sang their new Christ- mas song before it: first audience. It touched those listeners deeply, and after the service. they thank-

Santa's

ed the two friends with tears of Joy in their eyes- i ICC The story of how the song spread from its mountain home in the Tyrol. to become one of the Chris mas favorites in all parts of the.

For nearly a year after its first. appearance the song lay slmosty forgotten in Gruber's desk. Then. i November. lllli). the church organl had to be repaired. and the re- pair man. when he had finished with his work. asked (iriiber to play something to test the organ. The beautiful melody of Silent Night came back in (;ruber's mind. and he played it with all its powerful simplicity and beauty. So entranced was the organ-build- or that he begged to take s copy of the song home with him to his little town across the mountains. From one music lover to an- other the hymn was passcd on. Still it was without a name, and was known simply as The Tyrolese song. because it had first come from the Tyrolean Alps. with that title it was printed in 1842 for they first time. fully 25 years after it? had been composed!

From that time on. the song has been translated into many other languages and carried to all parts of the world to become the most famous and best loved of all Christmas songs and hymns. it touches a heartfelt need. and to all who hear it, it brings the Sa- vior's calm and peace in its strains of beauty and joy.

in almost every town and village in America this Christmas a church choir will render at least a portion of George Frederick Hanela's the "Messiah." When carolera sing "Joy to the World" they'll be singing part of the "Messiah" too. for that carol comes from themes found in the great oatorio. Handel aLso com- posed the musical theme of "White Shepherds Watched Their Flocka."

ft is a strange fact. but both

world is full of interest. Only very c slowly did it come into fame. -

Many a Canadian child, settling down in bed on Christmas Eve, viill wonder anxiously - like gen- erations of small fry before him - how Santa Claus and his rein- deer can possibly circle the globe in one short night. and how be can manage to slide down the chimney of every child in the world in the few hours between stocking hanging and wake-up time.

Junior Canada. as well as an- swerleaii parents. can reliix San-

-ta's task isn't quite so formidable

as it seems. This jolly old saint who gladdens the heart of chil- dren at the Yule season is a crea- ture of many guises. and his is not a one--night show lie has, in fact. from December 6 to January it to make his benevolent rounds. Among the first children visit-

sters of Holland -and Belgium They reach their peak of excitement in the first few days of Deccmbcr. in anticipation of the feast day of St Nicholas.

The saint himself Arrives on the eve of the day. and showing him- self in his red bishop's robe and miter. checks in person the con- duct of each child during the fore- going year.

His arrival is announced by I

Saint Nicholas in Holland rides thro ugh a town on his white horse. sands of people. mostly children, cheer from the windows and in the streets.

ed by the gift-giver are the young-1

No. One- Night Show

3 After deliiering warnings or presents are drawn from an Urn praises. according to ilie indivi- of Fate. This is s time for joshing dual, Santa takes his leave. pro-land suspense: niaiiy blanks may -mising to return when infant eyeslbe drawn before a satisfactory are closed fast in sleep. package is fished from the urn.

This he does leaving gifts in the; The". however, are Ems nf Sec. ywooilcn shoes that have been set.ond"y imponanca For their loll! Carefully Oll Wllld0W Sm lll' bearts' desires, Italian children set .hcartlistonc. and taking care to re- out their shoes nu me evening of m0l'e the SUWIW and CBFTMS lll8lEJanuary S. for the convenience of tliouglitful children have left in e - e- - their footwear for St. Nick's hung- ry white horse. l in France. too. gifts are left in lslioes. except in this country it is Petie Noel (the Christ Child), or Bonliuninie Noel (Father Christ- .mzis' who rewards deserving lit- iilc ones. in the small villages ll'llll(lf'Cfl czirry little cniirile-light lcd creclies throiigh the streets lsuiging carols and collecting pen .nies. l Children's processions are an im portant feature of the Christmas celebration in Romania. too From December 24 through the Rist. they niarrli in the daytime hearing on a high pole s six-pointed star and iinkliiig bells. and in the evening go about singing greetings. carry in: long bags with which to re- ceive gifts.

In ltaly. pre-Christmas activities include much reciting of small lpocms or little speeches by young-

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Games For All Make Christmas

get-togethers. one of the best was with golden knives and hung out- to nislta these gs IIIHIOP-.lldO the home of each Druid to able for all concerned is to eegegell keep away evil spirits. in games which the whole group no play. ' - charm. But that is only one leg- A nice one to start off with would.-ond attaching to mistletoe. There he a sugar rlum Hunt. Have one are others. member of the family bide Christ- One comes from r it -via and mas candies ahead of time in vari- would have ill believe that when ous nooks and corners around thepBIldel'. the God of Poetry. will house. At a given signal everyoneikillcd by In arrow cut from the starts hunting and gathering the-mistletoe, his mother. the goddess

pieces. The one who gathers the greatest number would be given ay BOXING DAV- prize. 2 Boxing Day ions was aptly

The Christmas Puzzle is enot.lier.named, for on that day one of good one to get things going. Lookuhe most historic boxing matches through some msgssines. which arelwas staged at i'iushcutter's Bay. filled with pictures of Santa Clausisydney. Australia, in an open air at this NM! 0! Year. Cut out enoulhlring. It was for the world heavy- 05 these t0 80 8l'0llllll- puts them weight championship, Jack John on stiff cardboard, and cut them son. the giant American negro. into pieces. Then put each xroup took the title mm the Moo: 1- 0f Piece! in I separate paper bag. inch Tommy Burns. who was giv- At the aisnal. everyone ope!" I has ing away several inches and more and starts puting the puzzle boge- than a stone Police stopped the "let .bout in the 14th round to save The Xmas Scramble Contest is Burns from needless ishment 800d till” I Kmllll with older child--from the utterly ruthless Johnaon.l ren in it. This is simply a contest it was the only world boxing title to see who can unscrsmble a group fight ever go be held on 30mm" of words the fastest. Just for fun. Day, See if you can work out the follow-ll ing - astiia, erireden. ehsgily. .dynca, gosiknct. erte. trepcsl.

hupno. slsorc. and aiborb.

CHRISTMAS JOYS

plt's the little things at Christmas That make the day worth while. The holly at the window.

,l.a Befana. an old woman dress- A neighbor's friendly smile.

"d. in 'lag' ""1 ”dl”5 3 b"”"" iThe smell of turkey in the house stick who comes with aslics for The postman at the door,

ylhgh::Sd'ar:H:utf':)rut"1': too .The children's talk of Santa Claus. but W! the riim Kings or the Th” ”'"'I” ”" "if ”'”" lThree Wise Men who arrive in the The story of a little Child who in a manger lay;

idark hours of January 5 to dis- The joyous chime of Christmas bells,

ltribute toys and goodies after the 'small fry. weary or dancing to tam-

jhourines and singing Nativity songs, All these make Christmas Day.

-RUTH BURST. '

. are sound asleep.

shower of sweets on a clean sheetlslells. They lilln Wltll their Elders that has previously been spread in in the observance of the Holy Fes- readiness upon the floor. As tbelllillll. Wllklh llegllli Wm! the b00ll'l' children scramble for the treats. lieling of a cannon at sunset on Christ-

enters, accompanied by his little

Bach and Handel were 'born in 1685, lived for many years within thrity miles of each 0tl'lt.'. and never met. Yet today. the Christ- mas music they wrote is sung by men. women and children 'in count- less churches of many "faiths all over the world.

iFlowers Are Part Of Yule Legends

There are several flowers appro- priate during the Yuletide season which are connected with the birth -of Christ by the legends of histo .

Sainfoin, or "Holy Hay." is sad to have cradled the infant Christ ' in the manger. The snowdrop is

Bug: the flower of the Virgin Mary. and

is said to be the emblem of the i candles she lighted on Christmas. According to legend. the Christ-

gng minute Cm.i5hms mas rose was divinely created. A cards? If not. you can send tele- jsliepherd maid wept at having no grams to reach them by December 3'" (9 lay before "'9 Babe in the 25- You can even have a messen- ma"ag"' suddemy 3" 3””-9i -lit" ger call at your house while the p”,”d "' he"- 0" l'93l'”'Fl Wll.V ill? guests you invited in for snacks maid" weph me "lull l"llt'hPd "9 (here. and Probably everybody the gound vvhere. her tears had will remember someone far away ml” "Pd '"?'"9dll”9lY ill! place who should have a Christmas greet W” whm wlth Chl'i5l"l3S r0Se3.l

.which the maid gathered and laid ,in the manger.

I The chrysanthcnium is said to .have appeared first on Cliristmag Eve near the manger as a sign int may enjoy the Wise Men that they had reach- some of the Christmas glow thatled the Split Whrrr the star had is in your home and reflect itlhlddell them-

Rcmcmbeni meow" everyone has a part in this Christ- Y circle. and "MS NIP". not Just your small scatter.the more you will gather.

Singapore Christmas

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I by a throbbing generator behind

place. the coffee shop.

in red and gold. and a chalky-faced nlng psrty' anywhere.

boy with icddcncd lips and black- QHN-ll FY85 po-ztm-ed and yelled in

Ii glittering costume of China.

Up the stairs of the coffee shop we went. The drum of the tocleb' stood against the wall. surmounted!

& a maker of porcelain cups glut mm M i ' sampans pass I Cit!-'I rltbber the trees I . the week. the water whispering and and deelnrebeckiing under their bows Peace tacit-an out sen 'tu 'll -t from their safes as nannies new ";r:.We1's'.l

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the more cheer you

.the wiring for the coloured lights and watched the opera. By mid- the Only two storey building in the night there was as much drink left- pln half-filled glasses and discarded The stage was hrightly decorated l boitlee to supply an average eve-'

Somehow we struggled home by the light of a lantern. through the. snrientipslm grove and past .pond, through the hummocks of .mud cones thrown up by the crabs and on to the aand-bar. The wildl

the duck t

74133-

servani. Black Pete. who holds a sack and a rod for the naugbty.l

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Christmas Eve Memory Check Y

Here's wishing yes all a very merry. Merry Christmas!

Crocketfs Quality

Jewellers SUMMERSIDE

Just a light hearted greeting to gx wish our friends and patrons a ;

Merry Christmas and a Holiday V . j 5eesee that's cheery and bright. j

lumen Plumbing 8: l "?"'l'l0l"'

lmas Eve. After prayers. their fast is brok en with a banquet. following which

listeners and advertisers.

Tears On The Mistletoe

We all" know that in the very yFriga. wept so much that her tears lucky plan Not so distant past. mistletoe was wor- fell on to s sprig of mistletoe and tryfoili of mid-Wales. Many oi , Christmas is the time for fault shipped by the Druids. It was cut froze into tiny white berries.

Legend also

In some parts of the world. mis-

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llytheeou

farmers there take down the m tells us that mlstle- tletoe that has decorated the 1 - toe should never be showed to fall house during an and all to the ground. For thus its charm and "feed it marriages were sealed under its is destroyed.

the Festive se to the first cowau.

calve in the New Year. This . lllDl10l0d to bring good luck to u tletow is considered to be an. un- cow - and its owner!

Our entire 311! visits roe all the blessings of this holy season and joy and

happiness in the years come . . .

Rogers & Arnett I.tcl.

SUMMEESIDE

When Santa Claus makes his Christmas visit of your home, may he bring you and yours all of the good fhingrin life --- health, happiness, and prosperity! This

is the wish we've tucked into Santols pack for all of our

thank you for your friendship and wish you I very

Merry Christmas!

GULF BROADCASTING CO. LTD.

SUMMERSIDE, P. E. I.

claw.

l24OKs.

I. C. SCI-lUIMANi

With heartfelt sincerity, we

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