In Other Worlds
In Ireland, single women place mistletoe leaves under their pillow on New Year's night to help them find a husband.
Quotable
by Antonio Banderas, actor
"Expectation is the mother of all frustration."
A Noisy Start
Noisemaking and fireworks on New Year's Eve likely originated in ancient times, when noise and fire were thought to dispel evil spirits and bring good luck.
By the Numbers
At midnight, 2,000 pounds of confetti are dropped on the crowd gathered in New York City's Time Square.
Table Tidbits
Cornbread is especially popular as a New Year's treat in the southern U.S. because its color resembles gold.
Wealth Association
In the Philippines, it is customary to wear polka dots on New Year's Eve to usher in prosperity, as the round dots resemble coins.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
F. Y. I.
From the Page
Before settling on the name Tiny Tim for his character in "A Christmas Carol," Charles Dickens also considered Little Larry, Puny Pete and Small Sam.
State Stats
The U.S. Postal Service once suggested changing the name of the town Santa Claus in Indiana because of the droves who flocked to its post office at Christmas time to get the special postmark.
In Other Worlds
In Greenland, men look after the women on Christmas night, serving their food and coffee and stirring the meal for them.
First Light
Electric Christmas tree lights were developed by Ralph E. Morris and first used in 1895 when many still illuminated their trees with candles.
Quotable
by Hamilton Wright Mabie, American author and essayist (1845-1916)
"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love."
Table Tidbits
In Finland, a rice porridge called riispuuro is traditionally served on Christmas morning.
Before settling on the name Tiny Tim for his character in "A Christmas Carol," Charles Dickens also considered Little Larry, Puny Pete and Small Sam.
State Stats
The U.S. Postal Service once suggested changing the name of the town Santa Claus in Indiana because of the droves who flocked to its post office at Christmas time to get the special postmark.
In Other Worlds
In Greenland, men look after the women on Christmas night, serving their food and coffee and stirring the meal for them.
First Light
Electric Christmas tree lights were developed by Ralph E. Morris and first used in 1895 when many still illuminated their trees with candles.
Quotable
by Hamilton Wright Mabie, American author and essayist (1845-1916)
"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love."
Table Tidbits
In Finland, a rice porridge called riispuuro is traditionally served on Christmas morning.
Think you know your Christmas TV specials ?
You've watched them for decades, from the time you were waiting for Santa to the day you began playing Santa's helper.
You've quoted, ad nauseam, Ralphie's mom ("You'll shoot your eye out!"), good ol' Charlie Brown ("Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?"), The Grinch ("I must stop Christmas from coming!") and George Bailey's daughter Zuzu ("Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.").
They're the Christmas TV and movie classics we just can't seem to get enough of during each holiday season. You think you know practically everything there is to know about who said what and more? Prove it.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, everyone!
1. What's the actual title of the movie about The Grinch?
a) "The Grinch Stole Our Christmas"
b) "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas"
c) "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"
d) "Why the Grinch Stole Christmas"
2. How much did Lucy charge for a psychiatric session in "A Charlie Brown Christmas"?
a) Five cents
b) Ten cents
c) Twenty-Five cents
d) Fifty cents
3. Who said, "Dad, you taught me everything I know about exterior illumination"?
a) Clark Griswold in "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"
b) George Bailey in "It's A Wonderful Life"
c) Rudolph in "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer"
d) Ralphie's father in "A Christmas Story"
4. Who narrated the original 1966 TV show about The Grinch?
a) Burl Ives
b) Fred Astaire
c) Boris Karloff
d) Vincent Price
5. What Bible verse does Linus recite in "A Charlie Brown Christmas"?
a) Gospel of Luke
b) Matthew 28:19
c) Romans 3:23
d) Philippians 4:13
6. In "It's A Wonderful Life," what were the names of George Bailey's children?
a) Zuzu, Pete, Tommy, Janey
b) Patty, Mary, Zuzu and Tommy
c) Tommy, Zuzu, Janey, Jimmy
d) Mary, Timmy, Tommy, Zuzu
7. What is Clarence the angel's last name in "It's A Wonderful Life"?
a) Winger
b) Foster
c) Clemens
d) Oddbody
8. In "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," who was Rudolph's girlfriend?
a) Sally
b) Jill
c) Clarice
d) Monica
9. What were Frosty the Snowman's first words?
a) Hi, kids!
b) Merry Christmas
c) Happy Birthday
d) Let's play!
10. What's the name of The Grinch's dog?
a) Barney
b) Max
c) Scout
d) He didn't have a name
11. In what film was the song "White Christmas" introduced?
a) "White Christmas"
b) "Once Upon a Sleigh"
c) "Holiday Inn"
d) "Three Merry Men"
12. What is the only Christmas-themed movie ever nominated for the best picture Oscar?
a) "It's A Wonderful Life"
b) "A Christmas Carol"
c) "Miracle on 34th Street"
d) "Scrooged"
13. In "A Christmas Story," which kid's tongue gets stuck to the flag pole?
a) Schwartz
b) Flick
c) Randy
d) Ralphie
14. In "A Charlie Brown Christmas," how many animals does Lucy ask Snoopy to portray in the Christmas play?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5
15. In "Frosty the Snowman," name the little girl who tries to get Frosty to a colder climate.
a) Janey
b) Karen
c) Amy
d) Marnie
16. In "Scrooged," what was Bill Murray's profession?
a) Ad executive
b) Car salesman
c) Attorney
d) Chemist
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Answers : 1. c ; 2. a ; 3. a ; 4. c ; 5. a ; 6. a ; 7. d ; 8. c ; 9. c ; 10. b ; 11. c ; 12. c ; 13. b ; 14. b ; 15. b ; 16. c
You've quoted, ad nauseam, Ralphie's mom ("You'll shoot your eye out!"), good ol' Charlie Brown ("Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?"), The Grinch ("I must stop Christmas from coming!") and George Bailey's daughter Zuzu ("Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.").
They're the Christmas TV and movie classics we just can't seem to get enough of during each holiday season. You think you know practically everything there is to know about who said what and more? Prove it.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, everyone!
1. What's the actual title of the movie about The Grinch?
a) "The Grinch Stole Our Christmas"
b) "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas"
c) "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"
d) "Why the Grinch Stole Christmas"
2. How much did Lucy charge for a psychiatric session in "A Charlie Brown Christmas"?
a) Five cents
b) Ten cents
c) Twenty-Five cents
d) Fifty cents
3. Who said, "Dad, you taught me everything I know about exterior illumination"?
a) Clark Griswold in "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"
b) George Bailey in "It's A Wonderful Life"
c) Rudolph in "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer"
d) Ralphie's father in "A Christmas Story"
4. Who narrated the original 1966 TV show about The Grinch?
a) Burl Ives
b) Fred Astaire
c) Boris Karloff
d) Vincent Price
5. What Bible verse does Linus recite in "A Charlie Brown Christmas"?
a) Gospel of Luke
b) Matthew 28:19
c) Romans 3:23
d) Philippians 4:13
6. In "It's A Wonderful Life," what were the names of George Bailey's children?
a) Zuzu, Pete, Tommy, Janey
b) Patty, Mary, Zuzu and Tommy
c) Tommy, Zuzu, Janey, Jimmy
d) Mary, Timmy, Tommy, Zuzu
7. What is Clarence the angel's last name in "It's A Wonderful Life"?
a) Winger
b) Foster
c) Clemens
d) Oddbody
8. In "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," who was Rudolph's girlfriend?
a) Sally
b) Jill
c) Clarice
d) Monica
9. What were Frosty the Snowman's first words?
a) Hi, kids!
b) Merry Christmas
c) Happy Birthday
d) Let's play!
10. What's the name of The Grinch's dog?
a) Barney
b) Max
c) Scout
d) He didn't have a name
11. In what film was the song "White Christmas" introduced?
a) "White Christmas"
b) "Once Upon a Sleigh"
c) "Holiday Inn"
d) "Three Merry Men"
12. What is the only Christmas-themed movie ever nominated for the best picture Oscar?
a) "It's A Wonderful Life"
b) "A Christmas Carol"
c) "Miracle on 34th Street"
d) "Scrooged"
13. In "A Christmas Story," which kid's tongue gets stuck to the flag pole?
a) Schwartz
b) Flick
c) Randy
d) Ralphie
14. In "A Charlie Brown Christmas," how many animals does Lucy ask Snoopy to portray in the Christmas play?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5
15. In "Frosty the Snowman," name the little girl who tries to get Frosty to a colder climate.
a) Janey
b) Karen
c) Amy
d) Marnie
16. In "Scrooged," what was Bill Murray's profession?
a) Ad executive
b) Car salesman
c) Attorney
d) Chemist
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Answers : 1. c ; 2. a ; 3. a ; 4. c ; 5. a ; 6. a ; 7. d ; 8. c ; 9. c ; 10. b ; 11. c ; 12. c ; 13. b ; 14. b ; 15. b ; 16. c
Yes, Santa, there is a Virginia
Dear Editor :
My friends at the North Pole tell me that little children of Christmas don't exist anymore. They say in a world of shortages and disillusionment, the magic of Christmas is gone.
The traditional Christmas tree is a fire hazard, the bright, colored lights that illuminated the sparkle in a child's eye have given way to the energy crunch, sugar plums cause cavities when you can get the sugar, and yule logs are over $50 for half a cord.
The mail to the North Pole is light because the postal system is caught up in bureaucracy and takes 18 days air mail. Christmas cards are being cranked out of mimeograph machines, and health authorities have just warned that eating snow is unhealthy and is germ-ridden.
My very presence in a red suit and a white beard has been decried by child psychologists as a damage to the emotional id of a child and confuses his identity with reality.
Mrs. Claus said if I read it in your newspaper (or Jack Anderson's column, whichever comes first) that Virginia still exists, it is true. Tell me, is there a Virginia?
Signed,
Santa Claus
Age 1,674
Dear Santa :
Yes, Santa, there is a Virginia.
She's not the same wide-eyed, barefoot child you used to visit, but she still exists.
She's a little older now, because during her lifetime she has viewed on television in a week what it used to take a lifetime to see.
She's a little harder to impress, but you must understand she lives in a world of talking refrigerators, dolls with plumbing and phones that talk back when there is no one there.
She's a little more skeptical and cautious of promises, because she's living in a time that questions and demands and seeks proof.
But Virginia still believes because she is a child. And a child must have dreams to know joy.......fantasy to know reality ..... and imagination to create her own private world to escape a real one.
She exists now, and, God willing, will exist forever for you who has never brought war, scandal, disaster, sickness or hatred to our earth.
As long as you bring only a spirit of love and peace, Virginia must believe.
My friends at the North Pole tell me that little children of Christmas don't exist anymore. They say in a world of shortages and disillusionment, the magic of Christmas is gone.
The traditional Christmas tree is a fire hazard, the bright, colored lights that illuminated the sparkle in a child's eye have given way to the energy crunch, sugar plums cause cavities when you can get the sugar, and yule logs are over $50 for half a cord.
The mail to the North Pole is light because the postal system is caught up in bureaucracy and takes 18 days air mail. Christmas cards are being cranked out of mimeograph machines, and health authorities have just warned that eating snow is unhealthy and is germ-ridden.
My very presence in a red suit and a white beard has been decried by child psychologists as a damage to the emotional id of a child and confuses his identity with reality.
Mrs. Claus said if I read it in your newspaper (or Jack Anderson's column, whichever comes first) that Virginia still exists, it is true. Tell me, is there a Virginia?
Signed,
Santa Claus
Age 1,674
Dear Santa :
Yes, Santa, there is a Virginia.
She's not the same wide-eyed, barefoot child you used to visit, but she still exists.
She's a little older now, because during her lifetime she has viewed on television in a week what it used to take a lifetime to see.
She's a little harder to impress, but you must understand she lives in a world of talking refrigerators, dolls with plumbing and phones that talk back when there is no one there.
She's a little more skeptical and cautious of promises, because she's living in a time that questions and demands and seeks proof.
But Virginia still believes because she is a child. And a child must have dreams to know joy.......fantasy to know reality ..... and imagination to create her own private world to escape a real one.
She exists now, and, God willing, will exist forever for you who has never brought war, scandal, disaster, sickness or hatred to our earth.
As long as you bring only a spirit of love and peace, Virginia must believe.
The race to change Mr. Claus
I'm convinced the world has become a tilted glacier off which common sense is poised to slide into the abyss.
'Tis the season of giving, and an opinion I read the other day gave me a tightly wrapped migraine. Slate magazine blogger Aisha Harris proposed that from this day forward, the figure we know as Santa Claus ------ chubby, jolly, but more offensively to the blogger, white ------ should be cast as a gift-giving penguin.
I can almost hear the disapproving cries from the Easter Bunny: "Now you've changed into a gift-giving animal? Hey, pal, I'm working this side of the street. Do yourself a favor: Waddle yourself to another corner."
Harris, an African-American woman, argued that converting the image of Santa Claus from an old white male to an animal could spare millions of non-white kids the insecurity and shame she claims she experienced during childhood.
"Whether you celebrate the holidays or not, Santa is one of the first iconic figures foisted upon you," Harris wrote. "He exists as an incredibly powerful image in the imaginations of children across the country and beyond. That this genial, jolly man can only be seen as white ------ and consequently, that a Santa of any other hue is merely a joke or a chance to trudge out racist stereotypes ----- helps perpetuate the whole "white-as-default" notion endemic to American culture (and, of course, not just American culture).
I wonder why Harris believes idolatry or greatness, whether the subject be real or contrived, should be defined by color. I'm sure there are children of different races throughout the world who don't turn their noses up at the sea of presents beneath their Christmas tree every year because the man who slid down the chimney and placed them there does not look like them.
I question whether children even care. Our two children don't view Santa in terms of generosity and joy. The only color they associate with Santa is his red suit. Wise kids, our two.
As if childhood isn't confusing enough, I wonder how Harris might explain to children who love Santa Claus in his present form that he's been transformed into a penquin -----or worse, that he's been replaced by a penquin.
And how might she explain to children where the old Santa has gone?
He got off the night shift?
He went into private business?
He quit when they suspended his frequent flier miles program?
He retired?
Santa's suddenly not white? What's the next disturbing surprise, that the Beatles lip-synced or the moon is made of brie? Why must it come down to color? Why must Santa's race be used for social engineering purposes? When I learned about Dr. Martin Luther King as a youngster, I didn't recoil because a great man's skin color was different than mine. What mattered was he was a beacon of peace for all.
And one so insistent on turning Santa Claus into Penquin Claus ------ Harris even has the penquin lifting St. Nick's surname ------ you'd think she'd know penquins are birds, not mammals as she incorrectly noted.
Harris, beating a drum for equality here that doesn't need beating, argued the time has come that our image of Santa should serve all the children he delights each Christmas?
But hasn't he been doing exactly that for centuries?
'Tis the season of giving, and an opinion I read the other day gave me a tightly wrapped migraine. Slate magazine blogger Aisha Harris proposed that from this day forward, the figure we know as Santa Claus ------ chubby, jolly, but more offensively to the blogger, white ------ should be cast as a gift-giving penguin.
I can almost hear the disapproving cries from the Easter Bunny: "Now you've changed into a gift-giving animal? Hey, pal, I'm working this side of the street. Do yourself a favor: Waddle yourself to another corner."
Harris, an African-American woman, argued that converting the image of Santa Claus from an old white male to an animal could spare millions of non-white kids the insecurity and shame she claims she experienced during childhood.
"Whether you celebrate the holidays or not, Santa is one of the first iconic figures foisted upon you," Harris wrote. "He exists as an incredibly powerful image in the imaginations of children across the country and beyond. That this genial, jolly man can only be seen as white ------ and consequently, that a Santa of any other hue is merely a joke or a chance to trudge out racist stereotypes ----- helps perpetuate the whole "white-as-default" notion endemic to American culture (and, of course, not just American culture).
I wonder why Harris believes idolatry or greatness, whether the subject be real or contrived, should be defined by color. I'm sure there are children of different races throughout the world who don't turn their noses up at the sea of presents beneath their Christmas tree every year because the man who slid down the chimney and placed them there does not look like them.
I question whether children even care. Our two children don't view Santa in terms of generosity and joy. The only color they associate with Santa is his red suit. Wise kids, our two.
As if childhood isn't confusing enough, I wonder how Harris might explain to children who love Santa Claus in his present form that he's been transformed into a penquin -----or worse, that he's been replaced by a penquin.
And how might she explain to children where the old Santa has gone?
He got off the night shift?
He went into private business?
He quit when they suspended his frequent flier miles program?
He retired?
Santa's suddenly not white? What's the next disturbing surprise, that the Beatles lip-synced or the moon is made of brie? Why must it come down to color? Why must Santa's race be used for social engineering purposes? When I learned about Dr. Martin Luther King as a youngster, I didn't recoil because a great man's skin color was different than mine. What mattered was he was a beacon of peace for all.
And one so insistent on turning Santa Claus into Penquin Claus ------ Harris even has the penquin lifting St. Nick's surname ------ you'd think she'd know penquins are birds, not mammals as she incorrectly noted.
Harris, beating a drum for equality here that doesn't need beating, argued the time has come that our image of Santa should serve all the children he delights each Christmas?
But hasn't he been doing exactly that for centuries?
The First Noel
"In the countryside close by there were shepherds out in the fields keeping guard over their sheep during the watches of the night. An angel of the Lord stood over them and the glory of the Lord shone round them. They were terrified, but the angel said, 'Do not be afraid. Look, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.' And all at once with the angel there was a great throng of the hosts of heaven, praising God with the words: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace for those he favors."
Although angels and shepherds were supporting players in the happenings of that first Christmas, no retelling of the story is complete without them. Thousands of little girls dressed in white with silver tinsel halos and thousands of little boys in burlap, shepherd crooks in hand, give testimony to that fact. But what do we really know about the angels and the shepherds?
Angels are defined as "pure spirits created by God." The word "angel" comes from the Greek word aggelos which means "messenger". Their prime role is that of intermediaries between God and humanity. Angels appear frequently in the Bible. They are referred to 108 times in the Old Testament and 165 times in the New Testament. They are called "sons of God" and "heavenly beings" and for the most part take on the appearance of human beings. We are told that they were present at the creation of the world and will be there to signify the final judgement with a trumpet blast.
The main role of the angels in the Christmas story is the one their name implies, that of messenger. They told humanity, in the form of the lowly shepherd, of the joyous news of the birth of a Savior.
Even before that momentous night, angels were involved in the story. It was the angel Gabriel who told Mary she was chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. It was an angel who reassured and guided Joseph when he was disturbed over Mary's pregnancy.
And Luke paints the angels in all their glory as they fill the heavens with the joyous news of the birth of the Savior. The image of angels bringing the Good News should give us pause and perhaps inspire us to also be messengers of the Good News as we greet others and celebrate Christmas this year.
Shepherding was a very common occupation in the time of Jesus. Sheep were important for their wool and their milk and for the meat they provided a family. And because of its proximity to Jerusalem, many of the sheep raised in Bethlehem were more than likely used as sacrifice in the temple.
When we think of shepherds we picture a bucolic scene with a gentle person guiding his sheep on a grassy hill, reveling in God's peace and goodness. Quite the opposite was true. Out of necessity, shepherds were rough men. They led hard lives, having to spend much of their days and nights in the wilderness with their flocks regardless of the season or weather. It was not unusual for shepherds to stay with their flocks in the hills in order to keep them together and protect them from wild animals. Mountain lions, leopards, hyenas and bears all lived in the Judean wilderness.
At the time of Jesus, shepherds stood on the bottom rungs of the social ladder. They were neither wealthy nor well educated. Most often they were the youngest sons of a large family. They were considered coarse and ill-mannered. Shepherds were often thought of as outlaws who brought their flocks to graze on lands not rightfully theirs. Some shepherds even resorted to robbing unsuspecting travelers. Religious leaders often referred to them as "sinners". The Talmud, the Jewish law book, advised that "no help be given to heathers or to shepherds." The shepherd was considered the lowest element of society.
And yet, when God wanted humanity to know of the birth of his Son, he sent his glorious messengers to the shepherds. God opened His arms to the most demeaned of people. And in years to come the Son of God would refer to himself as the God Shepherd who would give his life for his flock.
This Christmas when we see the shepherds around the manger, let us pray for the love and tolerance to embrace all people and see God's infinite love of each of us.
Although angels and shepherds were supporting players in the happenings of that first Christmas, no retelling of the story is complete without them. Thousands of little girls dressed in white with silver tinsel halos and thousands of little boys in burlap, shepherd crooks in hand, give testimony to that fact. But what do we really know about the angels and the shepherds?
Angels are defined as "pure spirits created by God." The word "angel" comes from the Greek word aggelos which means "messenger". Their prime role is that of intermediaries between God and humanity. Angels appear frequently in the Bible. They are referred to 108 times in the Old Testament and 165 times in the New Testament. They are called "sons of God" and "heavenly beings" and for the most part take on the appearance of human beings. We are told that they were present at the creation of the world and will be there to signify the final judgement with a trumpet blast.
The main role of the angels in the Christmas story is the one their name implies, that of messenger. They told humanity, in the form of the lowly shepherd, of the joyous news of the birth of a Savior.
Even before that momentous night, angels were involved in the story. It was the angel Gabriel who told Mary she was chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. It was an angel who reassured and guided Joseph when he was disturbed over Mary's pregnancy.
And Luke paints the angels in all their glory as they fill the heavens with the joyous news of the birth of the Savior. The image of angels bringing the Good News should give us pause and perhaps inspire us to also be messengers of the Good News as we greet others and celebrate Christmas this year.
Shepherding was a very common occupation in the time of Jesus. Sheep were important for their wool and their milk and for the meat they provided a family. And because of its proximity to Jerusalem, many of the sheep raised in Bethlehem were more than likely used as sacrifice in the temple.
When we think of shepherds we picture a bucolic scene with a gentle person guiding his sheep on a grassy hill, reveling in God's peace and goodness. Quite the opposite was true. Out of necessity, shepherds were rough men. They led hard lives, having to spend much of their days and nights in the wilderness with their flocks regardless of the season or weather. It was not unusual for shepherds to stay with their flocks in the hills in order to keep them together and protect them from wild animals. Mountain lions, leopards, hyenas and bears all lived in the Judean wilderness.
At the time of Jesus, shepherds stood on the bottom rungs of the social ladder. They were neither wealthy nor well educated. Most often they were the youngest sons of a large family. They were considered coarse and ill-mannered. Shepherds were often thought of as outlaws who brought their flocks to graze on lands not rightfully theirs. Some shepherds even resorted to robbing unsuspecting travelers. Religious leaders often referred to them as "sinners". The Talmud, the Jewish law book, advised that "no help be given to heathers or to shepherds." The shepherd was considered the lowest element of society.
And yet, when God wanted humanity to know of the birth of his Son, he sent his glorious messengers to the shepherds. God opened His arms to the most demeaned of people. And in years to come the Son of God would refer to himself as the God Shepherd who would give his life for his flock.
This Christmas when we see the shepherds around the manger, let us pray for the love and tolerance to embrace all people and see God's infinite love of each of us.
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