Word: customs
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Dates: during 1920-1929
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Summer passed with its flowers, fall with its gleaning; the stalks stood bare in the fields. A general taxation had been decreed for all the Roman Empire. In compliance with custom it became necessary for Joseph to make the nine days' journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, far south in the province of Judaea, the city of David, there to be taxed. It was nigh Mary's time but he took her with...
...wife, the queen at Windsor Castle; and after that its popularity was established in Britain. It was a German army that took, as well as Death, the Christmas tree to France. During the Franco-Prussian war the Germans, celebrating Christmas in their fashion, spread a love for the custom all through the invaded country. It remained for the U.S. to develop the municipal Christmas tree, erected on the public square in many a city, token of the whole community's rejoicing...
Indeed, an impartial observer, mindful of the origin of many a Christmas custom, might think of this holiday as one that embraces all creeds, all times, in a common human experience. It occurs at the time of the winter solstice, when the sun reaches its farthest point south, and the day begins to grow longer. Pagans throughout the world, in ages past, held festivals at this period. In ancient Rome at the Saturnalia (Dec. 17-21), windows and rooms were decked with holly wreaths; and at the Sigittaria (Dec. 22), it was customary to give presents, especially dolls...
...custom of singing carols had a definite Christian origin. Early Franciscan friars, strolling through Italy, put the tale of the birth of the Babe into homely ballad form, the better to win simple hearts. Over the Alps they went, throughout the World, singing of the sweet mystery of Bethlehem. Their songs lingered behind them. The Spanish peasant added episodes out of his dark Moorish imagination. In one group of Spanish carols the three wise men become gypsies, who read the palms and tell the fortunes of Jesus, Mary, Joseph. In Germany an ancient custom still endures, in some old-world...
...free of charge to the audience of "Fiesta", but there will be no sale of tickets to the public. Contrary to current rumors the management of the play states that it is not a substitute play for "Fiesta", but that it was planned earlier in the year following the custom of the Dramatic Club in past years