The White Falcon - 09.12.1988, Page 9

In
%nd
about
Iceland
There is an ancient Icelandic legend that tells of
13 brothers known as the Christmas Lads.
Although they resemble Santa in stature, clothing
and disposition, they are goblins.
The action begins on Monday when our little
buddies come down from the mountains one by one.
The last of these lively characters arrives in town
on Christmas Eve and then the whole process
reverses itself on Christmas Day with each one
returning home one by one.
As the legend goes, Gryla, the momma goblin, is
always first in the tales’ because she was by far the
most vengeful of the family. As with all goblins,
mom and dad were cannibals and their favorite
meal was children.
Now Gryla definitely had a problem with looks;
beauty was nothing more than a word in her
gcabulary. Besides the ability to experience 300
raines at once, she also had to worry about
ming 300 beards and brushing a pair of teeth
at resembled burned lava. She had 15 humongous
tails which each had a sack attached to it. In each
of these sacks she could keep 20 naughty children.
Time and age have improved her looks to a
somewhat more gentle appearance, although she is
still used to frighten Icelandic children into
obedient and respectful behavior.
Her sons were no angels in the beginning either.
They were mischievious rogues who came from the
mountains during the Christmas season to steal and
plunder. They took all the bad children they could
find.
ucau
^^oca
%
Spoonlicker
Food Bowl Llcker
This incredible family also had a pet black cat
called the Christmas Cat. This feline would go
along with the boys to visit mankind at Christmas.
Mr. Christmas Cat would come prancing into town
skinny and starving. But by his return — after
chowing down on all the bad kids he came across —
he would have changed into a giant monster.
After Christmas, he would be unable to eat 8t
all, so it was no wonder that he would have a
massive munch attack around Christmas.
Since the old days, ideas have changed about
goblins. They are no more monsters in one's mind,
but they were changed into big, ugly and ciumsy
humans. Even Mr. Christmas Cat has mellowed
over the years.
Today, the 13 brothers are said to be friendly,
bringing gifts and telling children stories. Mr. Cat
has even curbed his appetite and limits his meals to
children who didn't receive any gifts. This is why
all Icelandic children today receive gifts, even if
it's only a deck of playing cards and a candle.
It all starts Monday but will run thorugh Jan.6,
the last day of Christmas in Iceland.
Schedule of
religious services
Saturdag
5:00 p. m. Catholic Vigil Mass
Sunday
8:30 a.m. Episcopal/Lutheran
Liturgical Communion
Service, multifaith chapel
9:30 a.m. Protestant Sunday School
(Contact chapel at <1111 for
class location.)
9:30 a.m. Catholic Mass
11:00 a.m. CCD (Sept, thru May, High
school, Family Services)
11:00 a. m. Protestant Morning Worship
(Communion-First Sundays)
12:30 p.m. Catholic Mass
Lav Reader Services
9:00 a. m. The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints,
Elementary School
10:00 a.m. Church of Christ, Family
Service Center
12:00 p.m. Gospel Service, Elementary
School
3:00 p.m. Christian Life
Fellowship, chapel
Weekdays
11:30 a.m. Catholic Mass (Mon.-
Fri. First Fri. of each
month with luncheon.)
Contact the chapel at 4111 or
4211 for other activities.
December 9, 1988
9