ChristmasGreetings
Sending our warmest Christmas greetings and celebrating Christmas The Estevan Mercury is proud to present our annual Christmas greetings special. The staff at the Mercury looks forward to celebrating Christmas each year, and that includes piecing together this special keepsake publication for you, our readers. We have often described this publication as our "Christmas card" – and it's a bright, beautiful and colourful Christmas card, too, with participation from people and businesses in the Estevan area. Each year we put a lot of thought and time into deciding how we can make this publication special, so we hope you enjoy it. We want to thank you for your support over the last 12 months, and this publication allows local businesses and organizations to express their thanks as well.
We've made a switch for this year's Christmas greetings. You're going to find articles on Christmas from around the world. There will be stories about how people celebrate Christmas in Russia, Germany, Mexico, England and Ukraine. We have an article on how a FrenchCanadian family celebrates Christmas. You're going to see articles about Christmas in other countries as well. And you can expect to find photos of homes that are brightly decorated for Christmas for this year. We always enjoy thoughts on Christmas from people in the area. We hope you're looking forward to Christmas this year, that you're anticipating spending time with family and friends, enjoying some good food and drink, and creating new fond memories.
We also understand that this is a difficult time for a lot of people. Maybe it's the first Christmas spent without a loved one. Maybe it's a time of loneliness or isolation, or perhaps people can't afford to purchase gifts for family or the food for a big Christmas supper. Let's be mindful of that and remember it's not a joyous time for everybody. If you can do anything to help out, please do. If you're travelling out of town, then we hope you'll travel safely. And regardless of what you're doing, please be smart and don't drink and drive. We hope you enjoy this year's Mercury Christmas card. Hold onto it for a while. If you have friends and family visiting from out of town, we hope you'll encourage them to take a look.
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FROM THE TEAM AT THE ESTEVAN MERCURY! During this time of year, and always...we would like to say thank you. THANK YOU TO OUR READERS.
The Estevan Mercury Office will be from the team at the Estevan Mercury!
Thank you for trusting us as your source for local news. We take great pride in keeping you informed and telling your stories.
closed from December 21, 2023 at Noon to thank January During this time of year, and always...we would like to say you. 5, 2024. Thank you for choosing our platform (print and online) to reach your THANK YOU TO OUR ADVERTISERS.
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resume regular business hours ThankWe youwill to our carriers. January 2024. Fordelivering trusting Estevan Mercury the newspaper every 8, week, Thank you for thethe Mercury every week, in all weather For delivering Monday, conditions. for your local news. in all weather conditions. ThankYOU you to readers. THANK TOour OUR CARRIERS.
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Christmas in Ukraine
Christmas in Brazil
By Kateryna Grishyna Ukrainian Christmas is always a magical day for us. The Christmas celebration begins on Christmas Eve on January 6, which is called Sviata Vecherya. It is marked by traditional family gatherings in the evening ahead of Christmas Day. Family members cook Christmas dinner consisting of 12 fasting dishes, which symbolize the 12 apostles. The festivities start with the appearance of the first star. The main dish at the festive table is kutia, which is boiled wheat mixed with poppy seeds, raisins, nuts and honey. This dish is usually eaten first. The head of the family takes the first spoon of the kutia, after saying a prayer. Kutia was traditionally used to foretell a plentiful harvest and family happiness. After dinner, we always need to leave a portion on the table for the souls of the deceased. After dinner, kids begin
Elizabeth Chabaniuk and Kateryna Grishyna to sing carols, for which they are given either money or
sweets. We call it “the business of our childhood”.
Many Brazilian Christmas traditions come from Portugal as Portugal ruled Brazil for many years. Nativity scenes, known as Presépio, are very popular.They are set up in churches and homes all through December. Christmas plays called Os Pastores (The Shepherds), are also popular. In the Brazilian versions of the play, there’s also traditionally a shepherdess and also a woman who tries to steal the baby Jesus. Most people, especially Catholics, will go to a midnight mass service or missa do galo (mass of the roster). The mass normally finishes about 1 a.m. On Christmas Day, people might go to church again, but this time the services are often in the afternoon. After the missa do gallo, there are often big firework displays and in big towns and cities, there are big Christmas tree-shaped displays of electric lights. In Brazil, Santa Claus is called Papai Noel and Bom Velhinho (Good Old Man). Many Christmas customs are similar to ones in northern nations, even though it’s summer and very hot at Christmas time in Brazil. Many people like to go to the beach. Sometimes children leave a sock near a window. If Papai Noel finds your sock, he’ll exchange it for a present. Taking part in a Secret Santa, known as ‘amigo secreto’ (secret friend) is popular in Brazil at Christmas. It is traditional to give small gifts all through December using a pretend name (apelidos). On Christmas
Day, people reveal who their amigo secreto was. The most popular Christmas song in Brazil is ‘Noite Feliz’ (Silent Night). It’s common in Brazil to get a 13th salary at the end of the year, so in December you get twice the normal amount of pay for that month. The idea is to help boost the economy around Christmas. This has been going on for decades and most people don’t even question that other countries might not do it. Favourite Christmas foods in Brazil include pork, turkey, ham, salads and fresh and dried fruits. Everything is served with rice cooked with raisins and a good spoon of “farofa” (seasoned manioc flour). Popular Christmas desserts include tropical and ice cream. Brazil’s population is a mix of many different cultures and people that originally came from different countries, so you may have Italian panettone in São Paulo, Portuguese-salted cod in Rio de Janeiro and some African style food in the states of northeast Brazil.The meal is normally be served around 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve and exactly at midnight, people greet each other, make a toast wishing everyone a happy Christmas and after that they will exchange presents. The lunch on Christmas day is also special and after that some people go to relatives and friends houses to visit. This content is by James Cooper with the Whychristmas.com website.
Bright decorations in Estevan Jubilee Place in southeast Estevan has long been one of the best-decorated roads in the city, and this year is no different. Many of the houses have bright lights and novelties for people to enjoy, providing a boost of Christmas spirit.
O Come Let Us Adore Him! The Word made flesh!
Merry Christmas May the peace and blessings of Christmas be yours; And may the coming year be filled with happiness.
Thank you for your continued support.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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Merry Christmas
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WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A VERY
Ho-Ho-Hope It’s Happy!
Merry Christmas AND ALL THE BEST IN 2024!
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Memories of celebrating Christmas in Russia By Anastasiia Bykhovskaia In Russia for Orthodox Christians, Christmas comes after the new year, with Christmas Eve celebrated on Jan. 6 and Christmas Day being Jan. 7. I don’t know if it’s due to calendar order, or because Russia inherited it from the Soviet Union, where religious holidays as well as religions in general were out of favour, but in our family Christmas, even though it was celebrated, was secondary to the new year. For many people, a visit to an Orthodox church on Christmas Eve, preceded by a day of fasting, is a big part of the holiday. Services usually start at about 5 or 6 p.m. with confession. The festive services continue until about 2 a.m. and then the next morning. My family never was religious, so going to church wasn’t a part of our rituals. But for us, as for many others, Christmas was a very family-centred holiday. Unlike here, bigger families don’t really get together and we’d rather spend the day with our immediate circle. In my case, it was mom, dad, my brother and,
of course, our dog. The five of us often would go to the cabin for Christmas, no matter how cold it’d be. Since our main tree would be set up for the New Year in our condo in town, on Christmas Eve we’d go to the nearest forest to get another little one. At the cabin, we had a collection of Bible-themed paper decorations that we’d put on the tree every year with a star on top, and dad would tell us stories from the Bible explaining what those decorations were about. The Christmas supper at the cabin was never anything fancy. We had a wood stove for heating there, and we also used it for cooking while it was burning. But any meal tasted so great, and I remember feeling so happy being there with my family. At midnight, we’d exchange gifts, open some champagne and juices, cheer and then go out to start fireworks or burn Bengal lights, throwing them into snowbanks. The main presents were given for the new year, so for Christmas, we would just exchange some small, sweet things. Christmas day we were all together, no matter how old we were, with laughs and giggles. We would go sliding down the hill at
Estevan Mercury reporter Anastasiia Bykhovskaia has found memories of Christmas in Russia, including sliding down a hill. the nearest lake. Once the program was completed, we returned to the city, where our main tree would remain decorated until Jan. 14, which we call Old New Year - a tradition stemming from the
times when Russia followed a different, Jullian calendar. (Up until 1918, the Russian Empire used the same calendar as used here today, but when the Bolsheviks came to power, they changed everything, adopting the
Georgian calendar used to this day.) On Jan. 15, the holidays were officially over. My family Christmas never was traditional, but it was for many other families in St. Petersburg.
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French-Canadian Christmas: Le réveillon By Gisele Corrigal A réveillon is a French-Canadian tradition of a Christmas supper held in the evening of Christmas Eve. The term comes from the word réveil which means to awaken. Taking part in a réveillon meant that you were staying up till morning. It is a tradition maintained in France, Belgium, Brazil, Romania and many Canadian provinces where French people congregate, as well as New Orleans where there are many Creoles. Over time, parts of it may have changed a bit, but the general tone of the evening remains the same. Traditionally, most French Canadians are Roman Catholics. Years ago, the church had a rule that you could not consume food from midnight on, on the day you were going to receive holy communion until you had received the holy communion.Therefore, at midnight on the 24th, Catholics would celebrate the birth of Jesus by going to mass, where they could receive holy communion as part of the service. The mass was generally a high mass and
lasted about two hours. This was followed by a family get-together, usually at the home of a matriarch and patriarch. There the réveillon supper was served. It was always an elaborate feast and included several entrées and desserts as well as alcoholic beverages. After the table was cleared, everyone gathered around the Christmas tree and opened gifts. There was always a lot more chatting, plenty of singing and visiting. The réveillon would end in the wee hours of the morning. Many different foods are served during the réveillon: in areas close to waters, you will find lobsters, oysters, escargots or foie gras. In the Prairies and Quebec, you are usually served turkey with chestnuts, along with tourtière.The meal ends with an array of desserts. In some regions, there may be as many as 13 desserts. Some of the changes include going to a mass that is celebrated in the late afternoon or the early evening, because now, the rules regarding eating before receiving holy communion have been relaxed. A light supper would
Photo by Capelle.rCreative / Moment / Getty Images be served around the normal time. Children were often encouraged to take a nap if the family chose to go to a later mass, say, the 9 or 10 p.m. mass. After the mass, the family would gather together and have their réveillon supper, fol-
lowed by opening of the gifts. Réveillons, nowadays usually wind down between 1 and 2 a.m. Christmas is a time of joy and festivities, and whether you celebrate it in the traditional way or the less traditional way, it is always a Joyeux Noël!
Christmas card lane Souris Avenue North in Estevan has once again been turned into the Estevan Kinsmen Club's Christmas Card Lane. Large Christmas cards have been set up along the busy road, with businesses and organizations sponsoring them to wish the community a Merry Christmas. The Kinsmen have been running Christmas Card Lane for decades.
Merry Christmas! Thank-you for your support throughout the year!
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As we wrap up another year, we think about how lucky we are to know good folks like you.Thanks for making us feel so at home here. We sincerely appreciate your patronage and support.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our entire team!
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English Christmas traditions By Terry Williams My family's Christmas traditions are mainly English with a touch of the Sudetenland (Czech-German). Our traditional English Christmas fruit cake, once baked over the coming weeks to Christmas, is repeatedly spiked and sherry is poured over it to soak, which makes it moist and gives a wonderful, rich taste. A week or two before Christmas, it is covered with a thick layer of marzipan and then iced and decorated. Our English Christmas pudding, a rich fruit and nut-packed steamed pudding, is served hot. In the past when making it, we put a coin in it for luck but with modern thinking, it's not safe and we don't anymore. It's served with a hot white sweet brandy-laced sauce or with cold, heavy cream, and we set a light at the table. We make beautiful fragrant hanging
pomander decorations and/or centrepieces using oranges, cloves and ribbon. They really make the house smell and look Christmassy. Our tree is not decorated until Christmas Eve and always comes down on the 12th day of Christmas, as it was considered very bad luck to keep it up longer. We enjoy hot mulled wine, warm mince pies and gingerbread cookies (Nuremberg Lebkuchen) on Christmas Eve when we decorate our tree. On Christmas Day, in our Christmas stockings, you will always find a fresh orange or satsuma and a German chocolate-covered marzipan bar, along with various other English sweets. All meals are eaten together at the table, and we don't open presents until breakfast is cleared away. We sit together by the tree for the present opening, with a glass of sweet sherry or apple juice for kids. We always set an extra place at our
table for an uninvited guest and have Christmas crackers which are only pulled when we have dessert. Our Christmas dinner is served with white wine. A roasted goose or turkey covered in bacon, pork and chestnut stuffing, bacon and date-sautéed brussel sprouts, roasted parsnips, bacon-wrapped English mini sausages, roast potatoes, carrots, peas pudding, bread sauce, petit pois peas, homemade gravy, redcurrant jelly and cranberry sauce are all served. A Christmas pudding, a cheese board and a glass of Port come as a dessert. Family games are played before Christmas tea (supper). There are some traditional snacks for the very late evening as well, including finger sandwiches, traditional pork pie, sausage rolls, traditional English Christmas cake, warmed mince pies served with sweet brandy butter, stollen (German-Czech Christmas cake) and German-Czech gingerbread cookies.
Terry Williams of Estevan reflects on Christmas in England.
Christmas oasis An urban oasis, The Garden on Fourth Street, turned into a Christmas wonderland for the third straight year thanks to the talents and work of local artist Gale Tytlandsvik and her helper crew. Over 15 beautiful trees were decorated with various colour themes and ornaments, mostly donated by the community. Candy canes on the trees are up for grabs. The garden is open day and night at no charge and makes a great setting for wonderful Christmas pictures and warm visits. The area is also under video surveillance. Photo by Anastasiia Bykhovskaia
“DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?” Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season!
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CHRISTMAS Let us echo the message of the season by expressing our sincere thanks to you, our loyal patrons. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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Christmas is beautiful in South Africa
Christmas traditions in Germany
A roast goose is often served during a German Christmas supper. Photo courtesy of Katharina Ulbrich
By Katharina Ulbrich In Germany, the four advent Sundays leading up to Christmas are celebrated with family and friends by lighting candles on the advent wreath. Homes are decorated with nutcrackers, nativity scenes and ornaments on the Christmas tree. One
special German Christmas decoration is the Christmas pyramid, a wooden pyramid/windmill, powered by the heat of candles. Dec. 24 is the day where Santa, der Weihnachtsmann, brings presents in the afternoon. Often, he will visit the house in person, asking the kids to sing a song or recite a poem, before handing over presents.
Dec. 25 and 26 are both statutory holidays and all stores are closed. Families gather around the Christmas tree and enjoy Stollen, a rich sweet bread containing nuts, fruit and sometimes marzipan. The main dish for the Christmas holiday dinner is roast goose, served with red cabbage and homemade potato dumplings.
Because South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas comes in the summer. So, there’s lots of sun and beautiful flowers in full bloom. The schools are closed for the Christmas holidays and some people like to go camping. Going carol singing on Christmas Eve is very popular in towns and cities. Carols by Candlelight services are also popular on Christmas Eve. And many people go to a Christmas morning church service. Traditional fir Christmas trees are popular and children leave a stocking out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. The Christmas meal is either turkey, duck, roast beef or suckling pig, with yellow rice, raisins and vegetables, followed by Christmas pudding or a traditional South African dessert called malva pudding (sometimes also
called lekker pudding). People also like to pull Christmas crackers. The meal is often eaten outside in the summer sun. If it ’s really hot they might even have a barbecue or braai. Mince pies are also popular. South Africa also has several other U.K. Christmas traditions, because of its history with the nation. On Christmas day afternoon, people visit family and friends or might go for a trip into the countryside to play games or have a swim. Boxing Day is also a public holiday in South Africa and again people like to be out and about having a good time. S anta Claus is also known as Sinterklaas (St Nicholas) and Kersvader (Father Christmas) for people who speak Afrikaans (which has a base in Dutch). Article by James Cooper with whychristmas.com website.
Looking great This house on Gallaway Street in Estevan is looking great as Christmas approaches. It has a variety of decorations to greet people as they drive and walk by at night.
Merry Christmas
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As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we give thanks for the many blessings and good fortune he has bestowed upon us.
From my family to yours, wishing you joy and peace this holiday season. Trusting the New Year brings hope of promising days ahead.
May the spirit of the season fill your heart and home with love. We wish you a wonderful Christmas and a year filled with peace, prosperity, good health and good fortune.
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Celebrating Christmas in Mexico By Ana Villareal Christmas in Mexico is a special and joyous celebration that reflects the country’s rich cultural heritage and strong religious traditions. The holiday stars on Dec. 12 with the Catholic celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a significant religious event that honours the patron saint of Mexico. From this day onwards, the country is enveloped in a festive atmosphere that lasts until Jan. 6, known as Día de Reyes or Three Kings’ Day, another Catholic event. We get together with family and friends the night of Dec. 24 to celebrate the anticipation of the birth of Jesus. It’s the grand Christmas Eve feast known as La Nochebuena, when families gather to enjoy amazing meals and exchange gifts. It is considered a really special occasion so we dress in formal attire. Food plays a central role in Mexican Christmas celebrations, with families coming
together to prepare and share special dishes. Turkey, tTamales, bacalaoa (codfish), ponche (a warm fruit punch) and delicious desserts are among the traditional delicacies enjoyed during this time. The Christmas season is also marked by the posadas, a series of processions and gatherings re-enacting Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem. Participants go from house to house, singing traditional songs and seeking posada or lodging. The posadas culminate in a final celebration on Christmas Eve, where a piñata filled with candies and treats is broken, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Religious traditions are deeply ingrained in Mexican Christmas celebrations. Midnight mass on Christmas Eve is a significant event attended by many. Churches are adorned with intricate nativity scenes, and the sounds of traditional hymns and carols fill the air, creating a serene and spiritual ambiance.
A small family reunion to celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe. Photo by Ana Villarreal Christmas in Mexico is a time of Whether through the spirited decorations, warmth, generosity and togetherness. delicious food or religious observances, Families and communities come together to the essence of Christmas in Mexico is a celebrate their shared cultural heritage, cre- celebration of love, unity and the beauty of ating memories that endure for generations. traditions passed down through the ages.
How do they celebrate Christmas in Japan? Christmas has only been widely celebrated in Japan for the last few decades. It’s still not seen as a religious holiday or celebration, as there aren’t many Christians in Japan. Now several customs that came to Japan from the U.S., such as sending and receiving Christmas cards and presents, are popular. In Japan, Christmas in known as more of a time to spread happiness rather than as a religious celebration. Christmas Eve is often celebrated more than Christmas Day. Christmas Eve is thought of as a romantic day, in which couples spend time together and exchange presents. In many ways it resembles Valentine’s Day celebrations. Young couples like to go for walks to look at the Christmas lights and have a romantic meal in a restaurant. Booking a table on Christmas Eve can be very difficult as
it’s so popular. Fried chicken is often eaten on Christmas Eve/ Christmas Day. It is the busiest time of year for restaurants such as KFC and people can place orders at their local fast food restaurant in advance. There was an advertising campaign by KFC in the 1974 called Kentucky for Christmas that was very successful. The traditional Japanese Christmas food is Christmas cake. It’s not a rich fruit cake, but is usually a sponge cake decorated with strawberries and whipped cream. Christmas is not a national holiday in Japan. However, often schools are closed on Christmas Day because it’s near the start of the New Year school break. But most businesses will treat the 25th as a normal working day. One piece of music is especially famous around Christmas and the end of the year in Japan – Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and its final act the Ode to Joy. The music is so famous it’s simply known as daiku (which means number 9). Choirs all over the country sing it in German. One choir in Osaka, has 10,000 people in it and is known as the Number 9 Chorus. It’s thought it was first sung in Japan at Christmas by German prisoners of war in the First World War and over the years it became more and more popular. Another popular activity at Christmas in Japan,
especially in Tokyo, is visiting Tokyo Disneyland and seeing all the decorations and the parades. The Christmas season at Tokyo Disneyland is from the second week in November until Christmas Day. On Dec. 26, all the Christmas decorations are gone, ready for the new year celebrations to start. Japanese children usually get only one gift at Christmas (which young children believe is from Santa). Japanese children seldom give Christmas gifts to their parents, siblings or relatives. Only some special friends exchange Christmas gifts. The new year is a very big celebration in Japan. A Disney-style Christmas might have also influenced how Japanese culture celebrates Christmas as a fun and romantic time, rather than a religious one. Parties are often held for children, with games and dancing. Japanese Christmas Cake is a sponge cake decorated with trees, flowers and a figure of Santa Claus. The Japanese New Year (called ‘o shogatsu’) is more like a traditional western Christmas. New year is the period where families get together, have a special meal, pray and send greetings cards. New year is celebrated over five days from Dec. 31-Jan. 4 and is a very busy time. Article courtesy of James Cooper with WhyChristmas. com.
Best in their town
Merry Christmas
Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season. Terry and Laurie Fornwald won for the best-decorated building in Carlyle during a contest that was held as part of the Dickens Village Festival. Members of the Carlyle Lions Club selected the winner. Other winners were Wendy's Day Home (best-decorated business), Harold and Carol Ann Smith (best traditional) and Brian and Michelle Romaniuk (best novelty). Photo by Gord Paulley
Merry Christmas! from the team at
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Special Hours Dec 23, 2023 Closed Dec 24, 2023 Christmas Eve Closed Dec 25, 2023 Christmas Day Closed Dec 26, 2023 Boxing Day Closed Dec 30, 2023 Closed Dec 31, 2023 New Year’s Eve Closed Jan 1, 2024 Closed
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December 13, 2023 B9
We wish you a joyous and festive holiday season.
116 Hwy 47 S, Estevan SK, (306) 634-6114
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Celebrating Christmas in the Philippines People in the Philippines like to celebrate Christmas for as long as possible. The playing of Christmas carols in shops can start in September. The formal Christmas celebrations start on Dec. 16 when many people go to the first of nine pre-dawn or early morning masses.The last mass is on Christmas day. The Christmas celebrations continue to the First Sunday in January when Epiphany or the Feast of the Three Kings is celebrated. In the Philippines, the early masses held before Christmas are called the Misa de Gallo or Simbang Gabi in Filipino. Most Filipinos are Christians with about 80 per cent of people identifying as Catholics. It’s the only Asian country with such a large share of Christians. Because of this, Christmas is the most important holiday in the Philippines. Christmas customs in the Philippines are a mixture of western and native Filipino traditions. Christianity became widely known in The Philippines in the 1500s when missionaries from countries like Portugal and Spain traveled to the area. So, people in the Philippines have Santa Claus, Christmas trees,
Christmas cards and Christmas carols from western countries. They also have their own Christmas traditions such as the parol which is a bamboo pole or frame with a lighted star lantern on it. It’s traditionally made from bamboo strips and coloured Japanese paper or cellophane paper, and represents the star that guided the Wise Men. It is the most popular Christmas decoration in the Philippines. Christmas Eve is very important in the Philippines. Many people stay awake all night into Christmas day. During Christmas Eve, Christians go to church to hear the last ‘simbang gabi’ or the Christmas Eve mass.This is followed by a midnight feast, called Noche Buena, which is a big, open-house celebration with family, friends and neighbours dropping in to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Most households would have several dishes laid out and would normally include: lechon (roasted pig), ham, fruit salad, rice cakes (bibingka and puto bumbong are traditional Christmas foods) and other sweets, steamed rice and many different types of drinks. One very special person who helps
Christmas is a very important holiday in the Philippines. Photo courtesy of whychristmas.com. people in the Philippines celebrate Christmas is Santa R-Kayma Klaws. He is a Filipino citizen of Irish descent. He has been spreading Christmas cheer among Filipino children by dressing up as Santa Claus during charity missions and corporate events in poor areas of the Philippines for over 50 years. He has a giant motor sleigh (an air-conditioned bus) that is used in many missions all over the Philippines.
Santa R-Kayma Klaws owns the Philippines’ only reindeer farm at Mt. Isarog in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Ocampo, Camarines Sur. The farm is open to the public for free. The Philippines has eight major languages to say Merry Christmas. In Tagalog, Happy/ Merry Christmas is Maligayang Pasko. Article courtesy of James Cooper with WhyChristmas.com.
Christmas around the world: Australia In Australia, Christmas comes in towards the beginning of the summer holidays. Children have their summer holidays from mid-December to early February, so some people might even be camping at Christmas. Because it’s so hot at Christmas time in Australia, there are quite often massive bush fires across the country. Many volunteer bush firefighters are involved in saving people and property, and they travel from all over Australia to help in other states. Some Australians hang wreaths on their front doors and some people will also go out Christmas carol singing on Christmas Eve. People also decorate their houses and gardens with Christmas trees and Christmas lights. Neighbors sometimes have little competitions to see who has got the best light display. The neighbors often visit each other to look at the light displays at night. Sometimes the displays are put out as early as Dec. 1. One street in Sydney raises over AUS$35,000 every year for charity with their co-ordinated street display. Some Australians also decorate their houses with bunches of Christmas bush, a native Australian tree with small green leaves and cream-coloured flowers. In summer the flowers turn a deep shiny red over a period of weeks, generally by the week of Christmas in Sydney. Poinsettia plants are also popular
plants used as decorations. In each state capital city, there is a large Carols by Candlelight service. Famous Australian singers like The Wiggles, John Farnham, Anthony Warlow, Colin Gery, Niki Webster and many more help to sing the carols. These carol services, held in different cities, are broadcast on TV across Australia. There are also huge Christmas pageants in each state capital city that are broadcast across the country. Most towns and cities have festivals and parades. In some places, there is a fireworks display at the local park. Many towns, cities and schools also hold their own Carols by Candlelight services, with local bands and choirs helping to perform the Christmas Carols and songs. As it is the middle of summer in Australia at Christmas time, the words to the carols about snow and the cold winter are sometimes changed to special Australian words. There are also some original Australian carols. When he gets to Australia, Santa sometimes gives the reindeers a rest to use kangaroos. He also changes his clothes for less hot ones. Children often leave out carrots for Santa’s reindeer and there might be some cake for Santa, with some cold beer, but it’s often non-alcoholic because Santa has to drive his sleigh. Presents are normally exchanged be-
tween families on Christmas Day. On Boxing Day, most people go and visit their friends and often have barbecues at the beach. A famous yacht race from Sydney to Hobart in Tasmania is held on Boxing Day. Another Boxing Day tradition is the Boxing Day cricket test match. It starts every year on Boxing Day and is held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Flying Doctor Service has to work thoughout Christmas. On Christmas Day, the people who live in the outback send Christmas greetings to each other over the radio network.
Most families try to be home together for Christmas and the main meal is normally eaten at lunch time. Most people now have a cold Christmas dinner, or a barbecue with seafood such as prawns and lobsters along with the traditional English food. On Christmas Eve, fish markets are often full of people queuing to buy their fresh seafood for Christmas day. Some people like to have the traditional Christmas pudding but there might also be cold desserts like pavlova and trifle. Article courtesy of James Cooper with WhyChristmas.com.
Christmas on Kohaly Many residents of northwest Estevan prepared their properties for the holiday season well in advance. Houses were lit up and yards decorated, making the neighbourhoods look cozy and festive. One of the houses on Kohaly Avenue had a colourful Christmas family arranged on the front lawn. Other places in the area also have a great variety of fancy décor, making the area a great Twinkle Tour destination.
Christmas
Thank you for your continued support & business this past year. Wishing everyone a safe and Merry Christmas & all the best in the New Year!
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Christmas festivities in Spain Most people in Spain go to midnight mass or ‘La Misa Del Gallo’ (The Mass of the Rooster). It is called this because a rooster is supposed to have crowed the night that Jesus was born. Christmas Eve is known as Nochebuena. In the days before Nochebuena, children might take part in ‘piden el aguinaldo’ where they go and sing carols around their neighbourhood, hoping to get some money. Most families eat their main Christmas meal on Christmas Eve before the service. The traditional Spanish Christmas dinner was pavo trufado de Navidad, which is turkey stuffed with mushroom truffles or pularda asada, which is a roasted young hen, although they are not commonly eaten now. In Galicia, a region in northwest Spain, surrounded by water, the most popular meal for Christmas Eve and for Christmas Day is seafood. This can be all kinds of different seafood, from shellfish and mollusks, to lobster and small edible crabs. Popular desserts and sweets include mazapán (made of almonds, sugar and eggs), turrón (made of honey and toasted almonds) and polvorones (made of flour, butter and sugar). After the midnight service, one old tradition was for people to walk through the streets carrying torches, playing guitars and beating on tambourines and drums A few different languages are spoken in different regions in Spain. In Spanish, Merry Christmas is Feliz Navidad; in Catalan, Asturian and Occitan it’s Bon Nadal; in Galician Bo Nadal; in Aragonese it’s Feliz Nadal; and in Basque it’s Eguberri on. Apart from Christmas, there is another festival that is celebrated in Spain that is about the Christmas Story. It is called Epiphany and is celebrated on Jan. 6. In Spanish, Epiphany is called Fiesta de Los tres Reyes Magos; in English this means The festival of the three Magic
Kings. Epiphany celebrates when the kings or wise men brought gifts to the baby Jesus. In the Catalonia region of Spain, there’s a Christmas character called Tió de Nadal (the Christmas log), or he’s sometimes known as Caga tio (the pooping log). It’s a small hollow log propped up on two legs with a smiling face painted on one end. From Dec. 8 (the Feast of the Immaculate Conception), Catalan families give the log a few morsels of food to ‘eat’ and a blanket to keep it warm. On Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, the log then gives out small gifts. People sing a special song and hit the log with sticks to help its digestion and the log drops sweets, nuts and dried fruits. When garlic or an onion falls out of the log, all of the treats are finished for the year. The Caga tió is also found in many home in the Aragon region where it’s known as Tizón de Nadal. Children have some presents on Christmas Day, but most are opened at Epiphany. Children believe that the kings bring presents to them at Epiphany. They write letters to the kings asking for toys and presents. And on Epiphany Eve ( Jan. 5) they leave shoes on windowsills or balconies or under the Christmas tree to be filled with presents. Gifts are often left by children for the kings, a glass of Cognac for each king, a satsuma and some walnuts. Sometimes a bucket of water is left for the camels that bring the kings. If the children have been bad, the kings might leave pieces of coal made out of sugar in the presents. Some communities have Epiphany Parades with each king having a big float that is shaped like a camel. Sometimes there are also real camels in the parade. Often the wise men throw out candy to the children watching the parade. Article courtesy of James Cooper with WhyChristmas.com.
All lit up
Estevan’s water tower has been illuminated in green and red colours recently as Christmas approaches. The lights that shine on the water tower can have their colours adapted for special occasions and events, including Christmas. Photo by Christine Jones
The Mercury’s Christmas promotions are back, and it’s not too late to enter The Estevan Mercury is spreading Christmas cheer in the community through its various promotions this month, and it’s not too late for the public to enter. The Mercury has introduced Christmas Bingo this year. Our readers can visit the participating businesses and pick up their Christmas Bingo card. Then they can read the Estevan Mercury and/or the Carlyle Observer – whether it be the print editions of each or online through the digital editions section at SaskToday.ca – to find the winning bingo numbers. There is a grand prize for a blackout, and smaller prizes for a cross, any two lines or any single line. Everyone who chooses to play can enter their non-winning card for a prize.
All entries can be submitted to either the Estevan Mercury, Carlyle Observer or through contests@estevanmercury.ca. Please see our ad in the A section of this week’s paper for details. Our Letters to Santa promotion, sponsored by South East Eyecare, is back for another year. From now until Dec. 14, children can write their letters to Santa and submit them to the Mercury. Santa is an avid reader of the Mercury and SaskToday.ca, checking out both several times on a daily basis. The keepsake Letters to Santa page, which can be found in the Mercury each Wednesday until Dec. 20, is very entertaining and a fun feature for all. One lucky letter writer will be randomly drawn to win $100 cash. You can submit your letters by dropping them off at the Mercury office or submitting them by email to contests@estevanmercury.ca. Santa is responding to the letters this year. Finally, Twinkle Tour is back in the Mercury for another year. The promotion is presented by the Mercury and the Floor Store, and is sponsored by GenCo Asphalt and Coldwell Banker Choice Real Estate. Twinkle Tour encourages people to look for, find and mark off different light displays and as they journey through the colourful lights and sparkle of the Energy City.
A list of the scavenger hunt items can be found in the Estevan Mercury each week, starting Dec. 6 and continuing until Dec. 27, or online at https://forms.office.com/r/ FY98uRGW9r. All entries can be submitted through the online form, dropped off at the Estevan Mercury office or emailed to contests@estevanmercury.ca. The deadline for entries is Jan. 7, 2024, at 11:59 p.m., and the winner will be announced in the Jan. 10 edition of the Mercury. One lucky entrant will win $50. Also, the Mercury’s ever-popular Christmas Catalogue is back for its sixth season. This year’s edition boasts some perennial favourite advertisers and quite a few new businesses. Also new for this year’s catalogue is a collaboration with our friends at the Carlyle Observer. The Christmas Catalogue includes a few businesses with locations in both Estevan and Carlyle. “We felt that by printing 11,000 copies that go out to over 40 communities across the southeast corner, the businesses that participated would have more coverage and all of our readers can shop locally for their holiday gifts this year,” said Estevan Mercury sales manager Christine Jones. Our Christmas Catalogue has something for everybody and it can still be found at retailers in the community.
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