Holiday Gifts & Gift Baskets Blog

Archive for January, 2008

A great many of the sports and ceremonies had long ceased to be performed at the time I was ushered "into this breathing world", still I was fortunate in having for parents those who dearly loved old Terra Nova and whose memories were well stored with anecdotes and history of ye olden time, handed down from sire to son for many generations. Consequently, on each Christmas Eve, when the Christmas votive candles were lighted, and the chairs drawn up in front of the Christmas "back-junk", the yulelog of Newfoundland and as the "mighty flame went roaring up the chimney wide", we were told the oft-repeated stories of early life in Newfoundland - some enchanting, some too sombre to be repeated at this glad time. It is no wonder, then, that I take as much boyish delight on each return of this festival, amid the worry, hurry and scurry of this busy city, as I did some years ago in my island home, when I pleaded with all of a child's persistence to be allowed to "sit up" on Christmas Eve that I might attend the mid-night mass.

For the commemoration of this day we are certainly all the better.

Although the younger generation of St. John's, indeed the whole island for that matter, will probably never realize the great mirth that once attended the return of this glad season, when the ear was' 'cocked" to hear the gun that announced the first family who had partaken of dinner on Christmas Day; when the "I wish you a Merry Christmas" was the "open sesame" to all the good things in the larder; when the Christmas gift box was bestowed; when the poor and needy were made, at the hands of the charitable, to forget the misery and toils of the past year. I remember, when a boy, playing one Christmas Eve in the basement of the Church of England Cathedral, where my father was cutting a "gang" or rigging for the church-ship "Hawk". In running around the basement, chased by my companions, my way was suddenly blocked by boards placed upon empty barrels, and upon these boards were stored "mountains" of beef and loaves of sweet white bread. Running back to father, I asked what it meant, and he told me it was to be distributed among the poor on Christmas morning.

The younger generations remember the "fools." Their time of appearing was the Twelfth Day. They had full sway until the disguise was made a cloak by which to revenge some petty spite. Then they were ordered to be numbered and finally, were allowed out only on condition that they should appear unmasked. This was the command that terminated this old custom in St. John's. It was not, I believe, a statutory law, but merely the will of a stipendiary magistrate, the late Mr. Justice Carter. Some years after they had ceased to appear, one came out on the "Cross" on Christmas Day. He struck right and left, and finally ran into the arms of a policeman who locked him up.

But what I most particularly want to speak about is the "Tragedy of St. George", which was another of the sports of the season of Christmas. Those noble fellows, who, perhaps, all the week were culling or stowing fish, stride and strut as King George, the Turkish Knight, Valentine and Orson and other characters of the tragedy. Acceptably well, too, as I am informed, they read their lines. Old Newfoundlanders who have lived here in Boston 40 or 50 years will repeat the lines of the tragedy today with as much fire and pride as Edwin Booth would the lines of Richard the Third.

Much the same as the "fools" of more recent times, Father Christmas was personified as a very old man, whose face was completely covered by a mask. Each character in the play differed in dress, to describe which would consume too much valuable space.

The following is the cast of characters: - St. George, The Doctor, St. Patrick, Turkish Knight, Dan Donnelly, Father Christmas, Valentine and Orson, and Alexander the Czar of Russia.

The Tragedy

Enter Father Christmas:

Make room; make room, my gallant boys, And give us space to rhyme; We've come to show

St. George's playUpon this Christmas time. (The fiddler stands up and all stand around him)

(Enter St. Patrick)

Yes, St. Patrick you are a famous champion, Besides a worthy knight. But you are not St. George to fight.

What was St. Patrick but

St. George's stable boy, Who fed his horse seven long years on oats and hay. And after that he ran away.

St. Patrick: - I swear by George, you lie, sir.

St. George: -

Pull out your sword and try, sir. Pull out your purse and pay, sir. For satisfaction I will have Before you go away, sir.

St. Patrick: -

Satisfaction you will have; The satisfaction that you crave; Before ten minutes are at an end I'll have your head tumbling in the grave. So now the fight is between you and I; I will conquer and you must die. (St. George falls wounded and calls for a doctor)

St. George. -

Five pounds for a doctor. That won't do. Ten pounds for a doctor. That won't do. Twenty pounds for a doctor. That will and must do. Is there a doctor who can be found, who will cure Your champion of his deep and deadly wound? (Enter doctor) Here I am. I can cure the itch, the palsy and the gout, And if the Devil is in him I can root him out.

St. George: -

What is your medicine? Doctor:- I have here a little bottle in the waistband of my breeches called hectum spectum high generosity, mixed up with a hen's tooth and a eat's feather. Put this into a bottomless skillet, boil it over a slow turf fire; knock it 99 times against the walls of Jerusalem, first found out by old Methusalem, whose wife was sick and in great pain, I made her rise and walk again. She lived and bore children seven, and when she died she went to heaven. (The doctor rubs his patient with his wonderfullinament and pronounces in a loud voice):- Rise champion and act your part. (St. George rises and assumes a warlike attitude when he is challenged to mortal combat by the Turkish Knight.)

Turkish Knight: -

Here come I a Turkish KnightWho learned in Turkish lands to fightI'll fight this man with courage bold If his bloods hot it will soon run cold. (St. George accepts the challenge and they engage in deadly strife.) Enter Alexander,

Russia:

Here am I, Alexander, commander of the train; My noble deeds and great exploits have given me great fame; I made the lion to tremble, which did my name indite; Full fifty thousand soldiers - I put them all to flight. The Great Sham, the Great Mogul, with their dignity and splendor; Their honor and their opulence to me they did surrender. King George and Great Monsieur, I made quit the field And Fred Galloway unto me did yield. If any doubt my words, I say scratch up Bradley and boldly play. (music by Bradley)

Enter Orson: -

Here am I, Orson, the wild man of the wood; I never feared danger, but slew all I could; First I was taken by a wondrous bear, And was fed by him for many a long year. Then I was taken by Prince Valentine And little I thought he was a brother of mine; To prove the truth of what I say, My brother Valentine is here today.

Dan Donnelly: -

Come all you heroes and men that would witty,

Come listen unto Donnelly the wight of

Dublin city.The shamrock green I wear over my brow And show me the man who dare oppose me now.

No one I do insist, For I have conquered nations with my mighty fists.

St. John's years ago.

"I never saw the town so crowded," said Joseph as they came to the market place. Men, women, and children filled the streets.

Little babies and small children cried because they were so tired and homesick. Mary looked at the little ones with gentle eyes.

"I am glad my baby is not here yet," she thought. "These poor children are having a hard time."

Joseph led his donkey to the inn. He asked for a good room.

"The best you have, please," he said to the innkeeper. "My wife is very tired and needs to rest."

The innkeeper only laughed in a disagreeable way.

"Dozens have been ahead of you," he said. "All wanted good rooms. But now many of them are glad for a mat on the floor."

"You mean you have no rooms?" cried Joseph. The innkeeper shook his head crossly. He pointed outside.

"You have eyes. Don't you see the crowd on the street?"

"But my wife IS very tired," pleaded Joseph. "She has had a long and tiresome trip. She must have a place to rest."

"Then you had better be hunting one," answered the innkeeper, paying no attention to the young wife. Mary's face was pale and her eyes were heavy. Her back ached from the long, jogging ride.

"Do not worry, Joseph," she said when he came back, looking disappointed. "I am young and strong. . . . Besides, I feel that the Lord is with us. He will not let us be harmed."

Up and down the street went Joseph, leading the patient, shaggy donkey.

"Is there no room?" he asked everywhere. "Don't you have even a small room?"

At last Joseph gave up trying to find a room for the night.

There was a stable back of one inn. "You may sleep in my barn if you wish," said the innkeeper.

Joseph felt sad that his wife must sleep in a stable with the animals. But Mary did not mind.

"I have always loved farm animals," she said.

"These sheep and cows and donkeys will not hurt me. See how kindly they look at me! "

Joseph spread hay on the stable floor.

He put his robe on top of the hay.

"Lie here and rest, dear Mary," he said. Mary lay down on the hay. It felt soft to her tired body. It had a sweet, clean smell.

The stable had no roof, and Mary could look up into the night sky.

"The stars are very bright tonight," she said to her husband. "See that one just above us! Did you ever see a star so big and bright?"

"I never did," answered Joseph.

"I like it out here in the stable," thought Mary. "It is peaceful and quiet. There is a holy feeling in my heart."

Looking up at the sky reminded her of the angel who had spoken to her. She remembered the shining way he had looked, and the great promise he had made.

"This is going to be a wonderful night," she whispered. She felt sure that her baby would come tonight.

The stars kept shining above the stable.

Holiday gifts were propped under festive Christmas pines, as the last red rays of sunshine kissed the Cabot Tower goodbye. The thoughtful politician heaved a sad and soulful sigh; The smoke in lazy ringlets from his Concha rolled away, As he sat in cozy comfort by his fireside that day; "By my halidom," said he, "what a treat it is to be Removed for just a day from care and strife, From the steady, strenuous strain, from the passion and the pain, That make and mar a politician's life. "In the whirl of office party warfare I have played a leading role; My unqualified allegiance to my leader fills his soul With pardonable pleasure, for he knows full well that I for the cause that he espouses would politically die; I have tried my best to be from all base desires free; I have tried to further all that he holds dear, Though I frankly must admit I was vexed a little bit, When I lost that job he promised me last year.

"When the war clouds gathered round us I was foremost in the fray; Most nobly did I help him on that dull October day, When our gallant friends, the enemy, our foremost ranks assailed, Many fell away before them but I trembled not nor quailed, My opponent met defeat and I still retain my seat; I have added luster to my family name, Though, to tell the truth, I've tried, when the good wife puts on side, To under-rate excessively my fame. "I dearly love an argument; I dote upon a fight; The thought of stormy meetings fills my bosom with delight; I glory in my victories; I joy in others' strife; Without a frenzied hour or so, pray, what is there in life? Of course, a bad defeat is a thing I hate to meet But once you're in the fight you must prepare To be beaten now and then and to give to other men That portion which is called 'the lion's share.' "Well, I'm sitting here this evening and I'm really bound to say, I wish my life could be one long and merry Christmas Day, For now I come to think of it, those on the other side Are just as good as I am and I'm sorry I have tried By the most consistent use of deception and abuse To make the people think that I was right; Well, they've done the same to me so I hope they will agree To forget it - just as I do - for to-night."

The north wind fretted fitfully; the darkness grew apace; A smile of great beatitude came o'er his rugged face; The children saw and wondered, then to bed they softly crept; His head fell on his bosom - and the politician slept. Gentle reader, pause a while; do not with disdainful smile Turn this page until the moral you can see; If the politician can rest at peace with every man, Most forgiving at this season we should be.

It made him angry for anybody else to be important. The idea that another might ever be king in his place was a horrible thought to him.

The three men wore rich clothing.

Their faces were noble and dignified. They looked like kings, and they also looked like very wise men or great teachers.

These three rich travelers came to Herod's palace.

"Where is the new king?" they asked.

One added, "We hear that this holiday a baby has been born who is to be king of the world."

This was not good news to the proud king.

"What are your names and where do you come from?" he asked haughtily.

"I am Melchior," said one.

Another said, "I am Balthazzar."

The third answered, "I am Caspar. We have journeyed here from the far east to see the new born king." '

"We have come a very long wav," said Melchior in his deep, slow voice.

Balthazzar added, "We were led by a great bright golden star which went ahead of us."

These words sounded strange to Herod.

They made him shiver. He called his court together.

"I suppose you have heard about this new king?" he said to his council. "Or rather, about this new baby?"

Herod's councilmen nodded their heads.

"Does it say he will become a great king?" asked Herod in an angry tone. His councilmen looked nervous, but again they nodded their heads.

"That is what the book of wisdom said," said the keeper of the book. His voice shook, for he was frightened. He knew Herod would be angry.

King Herod was angry. He tossed his head. His long beard wagged fiercely.

"Send those men from the east in to me," he commanded.

When the visitors came before him, Herod made his voice very friendly.

The Wise looking men nodded their heads. They got on their tall camels again. The golden and silver bells tinkled with a musical sound.

It was evening. Up in the sky a star became very large and very bright.

"Yonder star will guide us to the new king," said Balthazzar. "Let us follow it."

The star which they had seen before went ahead of the three men. It led them westward. On and on they followed. They went through fields and across rivers. They traveled in valleys and over hills.

At last the star seemed to stop. It was right over the stable behind an inn.

The three kingly travelers ordered their camels to kneel. They dismounted from the animals and went into the stable, carrying the unique baby gifts which they had brought.

In the stable sat Joseph and Mary. Near them, in a manger, was a very young baby wrapped in strips of white cloth.

The three richly dressed men went over and looked closely at the baby.

"I am an old man but I have never seen a child so beautiful," said Melchior.

He laid a bag of fine leather by the manger.

"I bring him a gift of gold, and I hope he may be king forever," said Melchior.

Then Caspar said, "This baby has a holy look about him. I bring sweet perfumes and incense. I hope he may be a great leader for the people."

Caspar placed his gift by the bag of gold.

Balthazzar knelt and laid a beautiful chest by the other gifts. It held sweet smelling ointments in silver bottles trimmed with jewels.

"I bring myrrh," he said. The myrrh had a very sweet perfume like spice, but it was very bitter. "This myrrh is both bitter and sweet as the child's life will be."

Mary and Joseph were silent, for they did not know how to answer these strange words.

Once more the grandly dressed men bowed low to the baby in the manger.

Then they left the stable.

"We have seen the young child and left our gifts," they said. "Now we will go back to our homes in the east."

But when morning came they changed their minds. Each had had a very clear dream. It was the same dream for all three.

They dreamed that a messenger wearing a cloak made of flame came to them. The messenger spoke to them.

"Do not go back to King Herod," warned the messenger. "Herod is not friendly to this new baby. He wishes to find him and kill him. Go home by another road so you will not see Herod!"

"This is not an ordinary dream," the three men from the east decided. "This is a true warning and must be obeyed."

The three men from the east went home by another road. They did not return to Herod's palace.

One day a messenger from the Governor went up and down the streets of Galilee.

 "Listen, everybody," he called. "It is time to pay your taxes. Everybody must go to the city and pay his taxes. Every man and his wife must go!"

 Joseph laid down his tools and the trough he was making. He went into the house where Mary was weaving.

He told her about the messenger. "The law says that all must travel to the city and pay taxes."

Bethlehem since I am of David's family. Bethlehem is called the city of David."

Mary went on with her weaving. She was making a blanket of soft wool. Her face was happy and peaceful. As she worked on the little baby blanket she remembered the angel's promise.

The promise was beginning to come true. Before long she would have a baby. She could hardly wait to see her little son and hold him in her arms.

"How far is it to Bethlehem?" she asked.

Joseph told her, "It is a long trip and will take us several days. I do wish you did not have to go. The road will be rough and crowded. There may be robbers."

"I am not afraid," said Mary cheerfully.

"You will take good care of me, and the Lord will watch over us both."

Soon Mary and Joseph set out for Bethlehem.

Mary had packed food and fruit in a box for the journey.

She had bread and figs and olives, fruit and cheese in a basket. She carried water in a leather jug.

"What is in the other bundle?" Joseph asked.

Mary showed him a soft woolen blanket and some strips of snow white cloth. They were the clothes for her little baby.

"Will you need to take them along," asked Joseph? "Surely you will not need them in Bethlehem."

"I like to have them with me," answered Mary, wrapping the third bundle in a piece of blue cloth. "I like to look at them".

The little gray donkey made the trip with them. Mary rode on his back while Joseph walked ahead, leading the animal.

Mary was cheerful as they went along.

Her eyes had a faraway look.

"Soon this trip will be over and we will be back in our home," she said to Joseph. She loved her little house with the furniture which Joseph had made.

The thing she liked best was a little cradle which was ready and waiting. Joseph had made it of fine wood. He had carved it carefully and polished it with oil.

Joseph pointed out the interesting sights along the way. He showed her the olive orchards with the bare, twisted trees. They looked at oxen out in the fields. Now and then a tall, proud looking camel went past.

On the hillsides were flocks of sheep, with shepherds close by. Many of the sheep were lying down to rest. The young wife wished she could be with them.

"Their wool looks soft and warm," she said. "I would like to change places for awhile with those gentle sheep."

"We will get to Bethlehem presently," Joseph said cheerily. "I will get a good room for you at the inn. Then you can lie down and have a fine rest."

"I will like that," said Mary.

They went past a wine press where several people were working. Some were carrying baskets of grapes. Others were pressing the grapes to squeeze out the juice.

One of the men brought a small cup of the fresh grape juice for Mary to drink.

"The young woman seemed so tired," he said when the travelers had gone on.

"But did you notice what a beautiful face she had?" said another. "And how sweet her voice as she thanked you?"

After their long travel, Mary and Joseph came to Bethlehem.

What a crowd there was! What rushing and pushing!

"We may be here for several days," said the carpenter, looking around. "It will take a good while for all these people to pay their taxes."

"I do not mind waiting," said Mary. "A long rest will be good."

Mary was very tired and her back ached from the long, jogging ride.

"But Joseph is tired, too," she thought.

"He walked all the way. I am sure his feet are tired."

"Now we will get a room at the inn and have a fine rest," said Joseph.

Mary pulled her cloak about her shoulders. The evening air was cold. She could hardly wait to get in bed and cover herself with a warm blanket.