Faith &Familyfor the Holidays Inside
D2 The joy of vulnerability
D4 A Christmas reflection
D6 The Christmas gift that stops us in our tracks
D9 Local events to participate in this holiday
And More
The basics of Advent
The month of December can be a busy time of year. Social engagements related to the holiday season can run the gamut from office parties to school pageants to dinners with extended family. Despite the hectic pace of the holiday season, millions of people still find time to celebrate their faith. For adherents to Catholicism, that includes celebrating the season of Advent.
WHAT IS ADVENT?
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops reports that Advent is a time of preparation for practicing Catholics, who use the four-week season to prepare for
the second coming of Jesus Christ and for the celebration of the birth of Christ, which is commemorated on Christmas Day.
WHAT DOES “ADVENT” MEAN?
The Catholic News Agency indicates that the word “Advent” is derived from the Latin “ad” and “venire,” which loosely translates to “to come” or “to come toward.”
WHEN DOES ADVENT BEGIN?
Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas. In 2024, the celebration of the season of Advent begins on Sunday, Dec. 1, and continues until Tuesday, Dec. 24.
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ADVENT WREATHS?
The Catholic News Agency notes that Advent wreaths have been in use since the Middle Ages. The evergreen wreaths remind Catholics of the eternal life in Jesus Christ. Each Sunday during Advent, one of the four candles on the Advent wreath is lit.
WHY IS ONE ADVENT WREATH CANDLE A DIFFERENT COLOR THAN THE OTHERS?
Three of the four candles on an Advent wreath are purple. The candle lit on the third Sunday of Advent is pink, and priests even wear pink vestments
on this day. The USCCB notes that the third Sunday of Advent is known as “Gaudete Sunday.” The word “Gaudete” means “rejoice,” and the unique color of the candle lit on Gaudete Sunday commemorates that the season of Advent is halfway through.
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ADVENT CALENDAR?
Advent calendars are among the more notable symbols of the holiday season for Catholics, and Christianity.com notes this tradition can be traced back to the mid-nineteenth century. Advent calendars typically feature 24 doors or boxes to open (one for each
day between Dec. 1 1 and Christmas Eve), and they are used by families counting down the days until the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Many families with small children utilize Advent calendars to teach youngsters about their faith, which can help to redirect adults’ and children’s focus to the true meaning of the season during a period when it’s easy to grow distracted by other things.
Advent is a season of celebration for millions of individuals who want to emphasize their faith during a joyous time of year.
God’s Salvation Plan
Hear the gospel/good news (Rom. 10:17) Repentance/change (Lk. 13:3, 5)
Confession of belief in Christ (Rom. 10:9)
Baptism/immersion for remission of sins (Ac. 2:38, 1 Pet 3:21)
Life of faithfulness to Christ (2 Pet. 1:5-10)
We pray our visitors will be blessed and continue to seek and forever draw closer to Christ. He is the one and only Savior.
Foreign Missions
Supported :
Peru Trinidad Guatemala Honduras Philippines Guam
Middle East Asia Mission
U.S. Stateside Missions Supported: Radio Ministry; Texas
SC Missions Supported: USC, Columbia, SC New Neighbors, Sumter SC Sumter Pregnancy Center, Sumter SC House to House / Heart to Heart, Sumter SC Southeastern Children’s Home, Duncan SC Palmetto Bible Camp, Marietta SC
Plaza is a Christ Centered Family
We see ourselves as a people who have been bought with the blood of Christ and placed by Him in Plaza congregation. We exist as a congregation for three reasons. First, we are to reach out into our community and invite others to be in a relationship with Christ. Second, we are to worship our God who is worthy of love and commitment. In doing this we build each other (Christ’s disciples) up in the holy faith. Third, we also exist to express Christ’s benevolence toward those who have various needs. We are an undenominational fellowship with no earthly headquarters. Christ said, “He would build His church” (Mt. 16:18). He did that in the first century and we believe that same church continues to exist. In Romans 16:16 we find the phrase, “churches of Christ” and this is where we get our name.
The joy of vulnerability
DR. STEWART RAWSON
SENIOR PASTOR , First Presbyterian Church
We are fortunate to live in a city with a legacy newspaper that has remained in print for 130 years. Newspapers keep us informed; they make us accountable to each other, and they offer a platform to tell stories that shape who we are.
As a pastor, I am also grateful for a theological journal called “The Christian Century” that has remained in print for 140 years. The publisher of this journal is a Lutheran minister named Peter Marty. He writes the opening piece for each issue. For December, it is titled “Sheer vulnerability.” Marty recounts an experience that may be shared by many of us. He describes undergoing a procedure at an
outpatient surgical center. He writes, “A nurse hands you some nonslip socks and one of those open-in-theback hospital gowns. They then instruct you to head to a changing room, take off your clothes, and place them in a tiny locker. Once you manage to tie the neck cords of your gown into a bow, a task that always challenges me, you’ll step into a large room.”
Then Marty gets serious, “The instant you look around that room, some version of four uncomfortable words will rattle your psyche: I feel extremely vulnerable. Six or eight other patients, facing you from their own bays (with their privacy curtains halfdrawn or not drawn at all), sit in recliners just like the one assigned to you. Aware that your own backless gown resembles your health insurance plan in a conspicuous wayevery time you turn around you discover something that’s not covered- you’re eager to have a seat…there you sit, surrounded by other precious people in skimpy gowns, frail
creatures all of you, feeling particularly vulnerable as you await the call for surgery.”
Marty observes, “If we’re honest with ourselves, to be alive is to be vulnerable. It’s inextricably part of being human. We’re born naked and without self-protecting parts…just tender flesh waiting for some clothes to arrive and a few modest protective devices that we learn to develop over time.”
(Peter Marty, “Sheer vulnerability,” The Christian Century, December 2024)
It is difficult to be vulnerable, but Peter Marty is right. It is a part of being human. To fall in love, you must be willing to make yourself vulnerable to another human being. To grow and to learn, we must be vulnerable enough to admit we do not know everything. And for those of us who call ourselves Christians and consider ourselves to be followers of Jesus Christ, we celebrate every December the birth of a vulnerable child in the humblest of all circumstances.
We reenact the story of his birth and remind ourselves his parents were poor, lost and hungry. When we tell this story we remind ourselves this is how God chose to come into this world.
God meets us where we are and makes everything significant. Nothing remains the same; everything is made new. When we remember we are
vulnerable, we can be more open to the needs that are around us and our selfishness begins to melt away. Let us not forget the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has never overcome it! Merry Christmas!
ple.
Stewart Rawson is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Downtown Sumter.
These are the things that bind us together this holiday season
Celebrating family, faith, unity and love
DR. JAMES B. BLASSINGAME
PASTOR
Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Blessings,
As the holiday season approaches, we are reminded of all the things that bind us together. The things that bind us include values like family, faith, unity, and love. This season is a cherished time to reflect on the relationships that have been strengthened and renewed of commitment and love to one another. The holidays are a time to celebrate one of our greatest gifts... family. Regardless if united by blood, marriage, or friendship, our families are the foundation of our lives. We all know that family life can be challenging. Differences of opinion, misunderstandings, and the stresses of
daily life often create distance. During this season, let us strive to be forgiving, graceful, and patient as we celebrate at our homes and around the table.
Unity should be something we all strive for during the season. In Psalm 133:1, the Bible declares, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”* Unity does not mean we all think or act the same; it means we come together with a shared commitment to love, respect, and support one another. This holiday season, let us all strive to embrace bridge divides within our family, our neighborhood, and our community.
As we celebrate, let us remember that faith is the anchor that holds us steady in these times. It is through faith that we find hope, strength, and peace. The birth of Jesus Christ, which we commemorate during Christmas, is the ultimate expression of God’s love for humanity. Jesus’ life, teachings, and sacrifice are reminders that love is the greatest gift of all.
This holiday season, let us demonstrate love in action. We can do this by checking on our neighbors, feeding the hungry, comforting the lonely, and extending kindness to strangers. We must teach our children the importance of compassion and selflessness, shaping the next generation into leaders of unity and peace. Lastly, we must hold fast to the concept that we are stronger together as a community. By working hand in hand, we can overcome the challenges we face. We all must be committed to demonstrating the spirit of unity and service during the holidays as well as throughout the year. I pray that this holiday season brings you and your loved ones closer together and fills your hearts with the joy and peace that only God can provide. May we all enter the new year with renewed faith, a deepened sense of love, and a shared commitment to unity.
For a child has been
born to us’: A Christmas reflection
SCOTT LANDRUM, PASTOR
St. James Lutheran Church
and his circumstances screamed the exact opposite of what God promised.
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light,” the prophet Isaiah preached. “Those who lived in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined,” he continued. Hopeful words to be sure. Words beaming with confidence and trust. Still, one wonders how in the world Isaiah could say such things. The mighty Assyrian army was assembled and ready to invade. Their treachery was world renowned, their ruthlessness legendary, and all Israel and Judah trembled. Yet, Isaiah kept preaching hope into this deep, deep darkness, and this preaching of his was the Lord’s doing. God had captivated Isaiah with the fact that God is almighty, and God does not lie. That means when God gives a promise, he is both able and willing to keep it. So, Isaiah could not deny the promise of the savior given to Abraham. There was no denying a promise so certain that even amid the death and destruction all around, God’s word stood firm. “For a child has been born to us,” Isaiah sang even when his eyes still could not see it
And there in Bethlehem on another dark night, the old prophet’s faith was vindicated. Cradled in Mary’s arms lay the Prince of Peace, just as God promised. There in a barn, almighty God was found among people who, like sheep, have all gone astray. So we hear tell of God numbered among sinners as he was held underwater by a wild man named John in a river called Jordan, God walking the shores of Galilee preaching, healing, and casting out demons, God sitting in Jerusalem teaching and wrangling with the self-righteous, God hanging wasted on a cross bearing the sins of the world, God dead occupying a cold tomb and God very much alive and well sitting in the place of authority eternally, having the final word about every person.
So, we come to the heart of the matter; what is Jesus Christ’s final word about you? Answer--mercy, grace, and forgiveness are yours. That is his final word. Mercy, grace, forgiveness, that are your promise from almighty God who does not lie and who therefore is both able and willing to keep his word to you. Mercy, grace, forgiveness is your promise, shining like a great light in the darkness. And all because of the child born just as God promised. Merry Christmas!
Nearly a decade ago, my family bought a foreclosure. We moved in and began the process of improving the property.
When our furnace died during late February, I knew the season was nearing an end and the money needed to replace a furnace could be best used elsewhere. We still had our gas fireplace to heat the entire front of the house. We made it through the next few weeks and tackled the repair the next autumn. The best way that I could describe the situation in which many of our clients heat their homes is “all or nothing.” As I have mentioned many times before, our clients often buy substandard housing because it is cheap. However, having a working heating system may or may not be a reality.
A client called me last week. He bought a fixer-upper but has no heat. The house has piping for gas heat, but
he fears it is too old.
Another client visited the Crisis Relief Ministry this week after her central A/C stopped working. She was advised it needed total replacement. The cost of a new heat pump is more than a half-year of income for many of our clients. It was not an option for her. She had heat, then just like that, she had no way to heat her home. All or nothing. We were able to evaluate the need and purchase some plug-in heaters she could use. It is the only feasible option in such cases, but she was thrilled that she could keep warm on the cool mornings we have had.
Each time you give to Sumter United Ministries through the Fireside Fund, you make beautiful stories of hope like this one possible. Thank you for sharing!
Kevin Howell is the director of the Crisis Relief Ministry at Sumter United Ministries.
With home costs, A/C fixes to old houses often too costly for owners
BY KEVIN HOWELL Sumter United Ministries
ABOUT THE FIRESIDE FUND
Each winter since 1969, The Sumter Item has run a fundraiser to collect money from its readers to be donated entirely to Sumter United Ministries.
The faith-based nonprofit provides emergency and life-rebuilding services ranging from food, shelter and clothing to final-notice bill pay, access to educational opportunities and a medical clinic.
The Sumter Item recognizes and appreciates every ministry their staff and volunteers run, but the Fireside Fund was created to focus on one area that becomes critical for the next few months: heat.
Every penny donated will directly help people who live in Sumter by preventing heating services from being turned off, allowing access to propane or other heating sources and, when enough funding is available and the need is there,
funding long-term housing fixes to make homes more efficient.
IN HONOR OF
Each year, The Item’s leadership team picks a person who has recently passed away to which the year’s campaign will be dedicated. The person honored is someone who made a positive impact in the community, whether through service or philanthropy or business leadership.
This year, Sumter lost two stalwarts in local business and community support on the same day, Billy McLeod of Piggly Wiggly and Carl Simpson III of Simpson Hardware Co. McLeod was 93 when he died April 4. His father, Gilbert McLeod, founded Mac’s Supermarkets, which changed into Piggly Wiggly in the mid-1950s, and McLeod worked in the stores for 70 years, dating to 1954.
Mac’s Supermarkets started with two small stores in Sumter. The
McLeod family currently owns three Piggly Wigglys in Sumter and eight total.
At one time, the family had 16 stores.
Simpson was 82 and died suddenly.
Simpson’s father, Carl Simpson Jr., founded Simpson Hardware Co. in 1951 with the purchase of stores in Camden, Hartsville and later Sumter.
Simpson opened a second location at Palmetto Plaza in Sumter in 1963. Currently, Simpson Hardware has five locations: three in Sumter, one in Manning and one in Lake City.
Donations
Drop
The Christmas gift that stops us in our tracks
KEVIN BUYNAK
GROUPS PASTOR
Alice Drive Baptist Church
Christmas was a time for excitement, anticipation, and, of course, presents as a child. For me, the most memorable gift I ever received was a shiny blue bike. It wasn’t just any bike; it was my bike, something that I had longed for and finally, on that special morning, it was mine. But what
made this gift truly unforgettable wasn’t just the bike itself, but the adventure that followed the moment I first took it for a ride.
I remember putting on the oversized, clunky, styrofoam helmet, a quintessential piece of early ‘90s safety gear. I wasn’t bothered by how silly it looked; I was too thrilled about the bike to care. With the helmet snugly on my head and the bright blue bike beneath me, I wasted no time. I hopped on and pedaled off, feeling the wind rush past me as I tore out of the driveway.
Behind me, I could hear my mom yelling and frantically chasing after me, but I wasn’t slowing down. I was free, flying down the street with every turn of the pedal. The joy of the moment had
my mind completely consumed. But at the end of our street, things changed. The quiet neighborhood road I had been speeding down gave way to a much larger, busier street. Cars whizzed by at a speed I couldn’t even comprehend. I didn’t notice the danger. I didn’t see the reality of what could happen if I didn’t stop.
It was in that moment, right before I sped into that open road, a stranger appeared. A man I had never seen before, someone who was simply there, jumped out in front of me and stopped me in my tracks. He didn’t shout or scold, but simply intervened before I could make the dangerous mistake of riding into the traffic. My heart raced from the
thrill, but also from the realization of just how close I had come to disaster. This stranger saved me that day, pulling me away from danger I was blissfully unaware of.
In a similar way, Christmas calls us to stop and look. It’s easy to get caught up in the rush of the season, the buying, the baking, the parties, and forget about the deeper meaning. But God, in his infinite love, provides us with the greatest gift of all: Jesus. His birth is like that stranger on the bike path, a divine intervention in the midst of our busy lives, calling us to pause, reflect, and turn our attention to what truly matters.
In 2 Corinthians 9:15, Paul writes, “Thanks be to God for his inde-
scribable gift!” That gift is Jesus Christ, the one who came to rescue us, much like the stranger who saved me from riding into danger. The message of Christmas is God’s way of saying, “Stop and look. Here is the real gift.”
This Christmas, as we celebrate with family, food, and festivities, let’s remember to stop, just for a moment, and recognize the greatest gift ever given. It is in Jesus that we find true joy and peace, not in the rush or the wrapping. Christmas gives us the opportunity to pause and reflect on the incredible gift of life and love that God offers. So, take a moment to stop this Christmas, look around, and see the real gift.
Classic holiday films the whole family can enjoy
Decor and gift-giving go a long way toward making December a joyous time of year. Holiday films also do their part to make the season so special. Many people have their own favorite holiday films, and the following are some that can engage viewers who are young or simply young at heart.
“A Christmas Story”
Released in 1983, this warmly nostalgic, humorous film is a perennial favorite among families. It follows the story of Ralphie, who has his heart set on a very specific Christmas present: a Red Ryder BB gun.
Amid wintry exploits and family drama, the true spirit of Christmas manages to shine through in this beloved film. Some of the subject matter can be off-color, and there are some bullying scenes. So this is a movie best watched with children who are mature enough to make it through without being scared.
“Klaus” Perhaps not as wellknown as other animated holiday flicks, “Klaus,” released in 2019, has a personality all its own. Postman Jesper, who is not making the grade at the postal academy, is
sent to work in a frozen town in the North, where he discovers a reclusive toy maker named Klaus. The unlikely duo ultimately team up to make and deliver toys and bring smiles to children’s faces.
“Meet Me In St. Louis” Starring the irreplaceable Judy Garland, this movie musical focuses on four sisters who are awaiting the 1904 World’s Fair in their hometown, but learn that their father has accepted a new job and the family must move to New York beforehand. A Christmas miracle occurs
and all is right in the end. Garland sings a memorable version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” in the film, solidifying this as a holiday classic.
“The Santa Clause” This Disney film came out in 1994 and remains a family favorite. When divorced dad Scott (Tim Allen) accidentally kills a man in a Santa suit, he magically becomes the next Santa. He must learn to cope with the ways the transformation to the man in red interrupts his normal life, eventually giving over to the magic of Christmas.
“Emmet Otter’s JugBand Christmas” Though this 1977 Jim Henson production is a television special and not a full-length feature film, Generation X likely remembers the heartfelt tale of a poor otter family who sacrifice prized possessions to have what’s needed to enter a talent contest. The goal is to win the prize money to buy special Christmas presents. Audiences get to enjoy narration by Kermit the Frog. Films are a popular component that help to make the holiday season so special.
How to keep kids’ minds active during the holiday break
(StatePoint) Even a short vacation from school can cause learning loss and leave kids feeling behind when they return to the classroom. Fortunately, there are many ways to keep minds active during the holiday break, some of which will reinforce the concepts they are learning in school. Here are a few of them:
Vacation Reading
Whether you’re traveling for the holidays or sticking close to home, curling up with a book is a great way to spend some of the inevitable down time. At the start of the break, hit
up the library so everyone in the family will have plenty to read on subjects of interest to them. You might also consider giving at least one title to each gift recipient on your list this year to emphasize the idea that books can be treasured objects.
Online Math Tools
Casio’s suite of engaging education resources can help ensure students keep up their skills during the holidays. Those with the fx-9750GIII graphing calculator or (other easy-to-use models with hundreds of functions) will find
plenty to challenge them when they check out Casio’s expansive resource library of activities, Python programs and more, all of which are available for free online. From calculating slopes and finding derivatives to evaluating inferences and predications based on data, the resource includes exercises for every area of mathematical focus, including calculus, geometry and statistics.
Historical Day Trip Take
a day trip to a historic site to bring the past to life. Whether you visit a battlefield, the home of a notable fig-
ure, or a historically preserved city center, your trip will provoke discussion and keep minds engaged. If taking a scheduled tour is not possible due to limited holiday hours, do a bit of research on the site beforehand to give your family more context about what they will be seeing. This will make the trip more enjoyable and engaging.
Exercise Staying active is not just good for physical health, but it’s also good for the mind and soul. With no P.E. class on the schedule, however, kids may be missing
out on their daily dose of exercise. Be sure to go on a walk or bike ride each day or get out in the yard for some touch football or Frisbee. If the weather is frightful, visit a yoga studio or even stay home and do an exercise class on YouTube.
This holiday season, balancing educational and healthy activities with fun and relaxation can help ensure your students return to school focused, engaged and ready to start a brand new semester.
Even though the debate continues regarding the merits of artificial and real Christmas trees, it seems there is a winner, at least within the United States. According to Statista, 47 percent of American households own an artificial Christmas tree, while 24 percent purchase real trees. Though real trees might not be as popular as their artificial alternatives, the number of real trees purchased each year remains significant. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, roughly 25 to 30 million real Christmas trees are sold annually in the United States. Canadians may favor live Christmas trees, or they’re at least skilled in growing them. In fact, Canada exported more than 2.4 million fresh Christmas trees in 2021, and 97.2 percent ended up in the U.S., according to Statistics Canada. In June 2022, there were 1,895 business locations across Canada in the nursery and tree production industry.
Notable Christmas celebrations around the world
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas all over the world. Christmas celebrations include various time-honored traditions that celebrants hold near and dear to their hearts. Depending on where someone lives, their Christmas traditions may look quite different from those in other parts of the globe. It can be enjoyable to learn how Christmas is celebrated elsewhere and perhaps even incorporate a few new traditions into your celebrations. Take a peek at these customs near and far.
• Seafood and beachside celebrations: Australia is located in the southern hemisphere, which means Aussies are enjoying the peak of their sum-
mer come Dec. 25.
A white Christmas is unlikely, unless the “white” refers to white, sandy beaches. Santa is probably swapping his thick coat for a pair of board shorts, and heavy, roast-laden meals are unlikely to make it onto the menu. Instead, Australians dine on seafood feasts and spend Christmas outdoors camping or at the beach.
• Krampus parade: Some Christmas elves are not so jolly. Just ask residents of the Austrian, German and Hungarian Alps. Each year in this region, a true “Bad Santa” is the talk of town. Villagers believed that Krampus, a half-man, half-goat creature with a legion of ill-tempered elves,
roamed the mountains wreaking havoc. Krampus was said to abduct miscreants and set unruly youth or even intoxicated adults straight. Today, Krampus is more the “bad cop” to Santa’s “good cop” persona. Krampus is celebrated as an antihero at parades and other events.
• Las Posadas: According to Scripture, Joseph and Mary had to make an arduous journey from their hometown to Bethlehem for census purposes while Mary was pregnant. When the couple arrived, they found lodgings were nonexistent, and Mary ended up giving birth to Jesus in a manger surrounded by animals. In celebration of that journey, people
100 years ago this month:
Historical events from December 1924
The month of December has been home to many historical events over the years. Here’s a look at some that helped to shape the world in December 1924.
• Boston Arena hosts the first National Hockey League game ever played in the United States on Dec. 1. The league’s two newest franchises, the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Maroons, lock horns in a 2-1 game eventually won by the home team.
• On Dec. 1, Richard L. Cowan of Toronto and C. Lewis Fowler of New York sign an agreement to start the first chapter of the Ku Klux Klan in Canada.
• More than 700 people perish when a devastating earthquake strikes present-day Indonesia on Dec. 2.
• The SS Belgenland departs New York City on Dec. 4. The ocean liner begins a cruise around the world that would last for months. Though at
least 350 passengers are on board when the ship departs the Big Apple, just 235 remain for the duration of the trip.
• Decree No. 2980 creates the State of Syria on Dec. 5, uniting the State of Aleppo and the State of Damascus under a common native assembly and administration.
• The Chicago Bears defeat the Cleveland Bulldogs 22-0 on Dec. 7. National Football League rules at the time made no provision for a postseason championship, so the Bulldogs, in spite of the loss, are deemed the league champion because their winning percentage (.875) was better than the Bears’ (.857).
• The Book-Cadillac Hotel, at the time the tallest hotel in the world, opens in Detroit on Dec. 9. The luxury hotel includes 1,136 rooms and 31 stories.
• Gold is discovered
near the Swedish village of Boliden on Dec. 10, revealing what would become the largest and richest gold mine in Europe. The mine would not be exhausted of its gold supply until 1967.
• American Tobacco Company founder James B. Duke gives $40 million to The Duke Endowment on Dec. 11. The trust fund, directed to support four colleges, awards the largest share of the gift to Trinity College in Durham, North Carolina, provided the school change its name to honor James Duke’s father, Washington Duke.
• Exiled former Albanian Prime Minister Ahmet Zogu leads an invasion of the country with guerillas backed by Yugoslavia on Dec. 13. Zogu enters the capital city of Tirana on Dec. 24 and declares the country a republic.
• On Dec. 14, the temperature in Fair-
in Mexico and Guatemala celebrate Las Posadas, a procession representing Mary and Joseph’s journey and their struggle to find lodging.
• La Befana: In Italian folklore, La Befana is a witch-like old woman who, like Santa, delivers gifts to children throughout Italy. Instead of this gift-giving taking place on Christmas, La Befana hands out gifts on the Epiphany Eve in a similar way to how the Three Magi brought presents to Baby Jesus. Le Befana also is believed to fly through the night sky to sweep away all the troubles of the old year and clear the way for a fresh start.
• Move over reindeer: Although reindeer often garner fanfare
this time of year, the Yule goat is a Christmas symbol and tradition in Scandinavia and northern Europe. Each year in towns throughout Sweden and other areas, large statues of Yule goats are built on the first day of Advent and stand throughout the holiday season. This tradition dates back to ancient Pagan festivals, and some believe the goat is connected to the Norse god Thor, who rode in the sky in a chariot pulled by two goats. Holiday traditions differ considerably in various regions of the world. Celebrants may want to consider incorporating foreign traditions into their own Christmas celebrations this year.
field, Montana, drops from 63 F at noon to -21 F at midnight. The 84-degree change sets a record for the greatest drop in temperature in a 12-hour period.
• Masked and armed vigilantes seize 15-year-old African American Samuel Smith from his hospital room in Nashville, Tennessee, on Dec. 15. Smith, who had been arrested for shooting and wounding a white grocer, is hanged from a tree near the grocer’s home. No one is ever charged with the crime.
• Fritz Haarmann is sentenced to death in Germany on Dec. 19. Known as the “Butcher of Hanover,” the “Vampire of Hanover” and the “Wolf Man,” Haarmann had been found guilty of murdering 24 men, and is ultimately executed by guillotine in April 1925.
• After serving just 13 months of a fiveyear prison sentence,
Adolf Hitler is released from Landsberg Prison on Dec. 20. Hitler’s release is part of a wider policy of general amnesty for political prisoners.
• A Christmas Eve party in a one-room schoolhouse in Babbs Switch, Oklahoma, ends in tragedy on Dec. 24. A student handing out presents accidentally brushes a wrapped gift against a candle flame near a dry Christmas tree, igniting a fire that ultimately kills 36 people.
• The Broadway Theatre in Manhattan opens on Christmas Day. The theatre remains open today, and is one of just a handful of theaters that is physically located on Broadway.
• Singing “Jingle Bells” at her parents’ theater in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, 2-year-old Judy Garland makes her show business debut on Dec. 26.
Gifts for holiday hosts
Millions of people open their homes to relatives and friends each holiday season. Taking on the task of holiday host can be a labor of love, as it involves not only a commitment of time, but also a financial investment. Lending Tree reported that 60 percent of Americans considering hosting holiday gatherings in 2023 expected to spend an average of $556 on their celebrations. Six-figure earners planned to spend even more, indicating they expected to spend $764 on holiday hosting.
Guests benefitting from holiday hosts’ hospitality can offer tokens of their appreciation upon arrival. The following are some great gifts to offer hosts this holiday season.
• Beverage of choice: A bottle of wine or another spirit can be a great gift for holiday gatherings. Let hosts decide if they want to serve it with the meal or save it to enjoy at a later time.
• Curated food basket: A guest can put together a basket of different foods, including crackers,
cheeses, jams, bread sticks, and other items that can be enjoyed as snacks or appetizers.
• Holiday plant: A poinsettia or Christmas cactus may be fitting this time of year, and a holiday host can enjoy seeing it grow during the season.
• Kitchen tools or serving items: A beautiful olive wood serving platter or cutting board might be appreciated, particularly if guests arrive with it covered in a charcuterie spread.
• Scented candle: Hosts can set the mood and add to the ambiance of an entertaining space with lit, scented candles, which make for a great gift. Guests can inquire as to the hosts’ preferred aromas or stick with safe bets like vanilla or cinnamon.
• Holiday ornament or decorative piece:
Guests can offer ornaments for the tree or another decorative item for hosts who are repeat entertainers. Dating the decoration or having it engraved can transform it into a memento hosts can relish through the years.
• Comfort and care assortment: Hosting takes effort, so a box of items to pamper holiday hosts can be a great gift. Fill the box with a loofah, bath bombs, shower gel, moisturizing cream, and massage oil. Holiday hosts invest time and money into making their homes welcoming spaces to spend the holidays. Guests can treat these
Festive events in Sumter this holiday season
“ARTHUR CHRISTMAS”
The Sumter County Library is showing “Arthur Christmas”, a family fun movie about Santa Claus use and what happens when the unthinkable happens and Santa misses one child while delivering gifts.
Friday, Dec. 13, 3:30 p.m. Sumter County Library Wesmark Branch, 180 W. Wesmark Blvd.
SANTA’S VILLAGE
Santa’s Village is located at the Heath Pavilion: kids can write letters to Santa and take pictures with Santa using your own camera (participation in both are free), while sipping hot cocoa and enjoying the music and entertainment for the night.
6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13; Saturday, Dec. 14; Friday, Dec. 20; and Saturday, Dec. 21 165 Garden Street, Sumter, SC,
“NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS” — SIP & GOGH
Join the fun for an evening of painting Jack and Sally as we creep into Christmas. Kids ages 14 and up are welcome to join the classes alongside an adult. Visit www.sipngogh.com for more information.
Dec 13, 2024·Fri, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM 1116 Alice Dr, Sumter, SC
O’ HOLY NIGHT NATIVITY — SIP & GOGH
Join the fun for a morning painting a beautiful nativity. Kids ages 14 and up are more than welcome to join our evening classes alongside an adult. Similarly, kids ages 8 and up are also invited to our Saturday classes, accompanied by an adult.isit www.sipngogh.com for more information.
Saturday, Dec. 14, 3 to 5 p.m. 1116 Alice Dr, Sumter, SC
ELIJAH BRADFORD’S CHRISTMAS AT MR. THADDEUS HOUSE
A comedic stage play exploring the complexities of family and the power of uniting in love. “Christmas At Mr. Thaddeus House.” Visit www.elijahbradford.com for more information and tickets.
Dec 21, 2024·Sat, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM 5200 Live Oak Road, Dalzell, SC
