PAGE TWELVE THE MICHIGAN DAILY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1951 PAGE TWELVE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1~51 CHRISTMAS ANCESTRY: Influence of Paganism Shown in Yule Customs (PAID ADVERTISEMENT) MEM MONSTROUS SUCCESS: !Ensian,, Prices wise De. 21 OUT MONDAY Although Christmas now con- veys to most people a religious significance, the early church fa- thers once tried to stomp it out as a remnant of paganism. Before the age of Christ, the Saturnalia and the Kalends of January were held at this time. The ancient Romans celebrated with feasting and merry-making, while the "Lord of Misrule" gov- erned the city. Masters paid hom- age to their slaves ' and wierdly costumed revelers took over the streets. Another celebration was held in Europe in mid-December, when a CU' instructors, Wife Creates Paper Angels By ALICE BOGDONOFF Angels are not only made in heaven. ' With one hana on her two year old daughter and the other in paste and paint, Mrs. Richard Wilt, wife of a University art in- structor, creates paper machee angels in her "Santa workshop" --the cellar. The angels, which usually reach a height of three feet or more, are "simply" made from chicken wire, and layers of newspaper put on with wall paper paste, Mrs. Wilt explained. However, upon examining a completed angel, the work seems far from simple. Minute details bring to life the carefully con- structed blue, white and gold angel. Tissue paper and paper napkins are transformed into features, jewels and colorful costume. After "around 18 hours of work" the completed angels are ready for their descent to Ann Arbor house- housewives and local store win- dows. Angels are not the only bit of Christmas artistry which emerge from Mrs. Wilt's basement. The entire window of a local State, St. store is brightened up this year by Mrs. Wilt's display of castles, tap- eatry and "seasons greetings." The attrac.tive blond housewife began this "extra curricular ac- tivity," as she calls it, in 1939 as a display artist in Pittsburg. She made her Michigan debut last year when the Little Gallery in Birmingham, Mich. began to sell her art work. Last week, Mrs. Wilt delivered her first order. The buyer - Mrs. lobert Angel. general slaughter of cattle and hogs took place to decrease feed- ing and shelter problems for the winter. IN THE middle ages, the Church tried to bring an end to these "in- dulgences of the flesh" and point- ed out their pagan ancestry. How- ever, celebrations continued and the Church accepted the ancient Saturnalian date as a suitable time for the celebration of the birthday of Christ. Historians have been unable to discern the exact date of Christ's birth. It is evident, however, that it was not in the month of December for this is the rainy season in Palestine and shepherds would not have been "watching over their flocks by night" at this time. The Christmas tree, a well- known symbol of the yule this sea- son, originated in Germany. Fron earliest times, art evergreen tree was decorated during the winter and it was incorporated into their celebration of Christmas. Perhaps the Romans lent their touch to this custom, too, for the laurel spray played a prominent part in their celebration of .the Saturnalia. * s " CHRISTMAS GIFTS are be- lieved by many historians to be an outgrowth of the Roman cus- tom of rendering gifts yearly to the emperor. From the earliest days of the recognition of Christ's birthday, Christmas has been a children's holiday and gifts have been given them from many sup- ernatural beings. Wizened old men, misshapen dwarfs, beautiful fairies and in some countries the Christ child Himself have been represented as the donors. The United States adopted the teutonic Santa Claus, a corrup- tion of the Dutch spelling of Saint Nicholas. Although an American immi- grant, children in the United States have claimed him for'their own, and are already anticipating their yearly "visit from St. Nick." Orientation Week Leaders Needed Men with or without previous experience are needed as orienta- tion leaders for the spring ori- entation period, beginning Feb. 4, according to Chairman Jay Strickler, '54. Those interested may apply be- tween 3 and 5 p.m. tomorrow through Thursday at the Union Student offices. MEMs Plug Sales With I * * * * * i Zany antics Michiganensian monsters storm- ed campus Thursday, coaxing and threatening students to buy the 1952 'Ensian before prices go up to $5.50 Friday, Dec. 21. Chanting "Fee, fie, foe, fum: have you bought your 'Ensian," the MEMs invaded classrooms, businness placesa nd faculty of- fices clad in hooded black robes and grotesque masks. NEARLY TWO dozen student monsters spent Thursday warnir* of the approaching price hike. Women were favored victims of the MEMs, who took advantage of their anonymity by embracing both friends and total strangers. Most students seemed to enjoy the MEM antics. However, a few faculty members did not appre- ciate the distraction in their classes. One professor, writing on the blackboard, failed to notice the entry of an 'Ensian monster. As students in his 'class began to gig- gle and guffaw, he turned sudden- ly- and announced a bluebook for the next class session. Most embarassing incident of the day was when a MEM grabbed another robed figure from behind, only to discover she was a nun. One dejected monster reviewed his sad MEM day story. "I was slapped on the face in Martha Cook, kicked out of the Library and speech class and my own girl didn't recognize me when I walked her home," he said. 4 '' "4 j - .4 -Daily-Al Reid MONSTER INTERVIEW-Four MEMs (Michiganensian Monsters) invaded the office of University President Harlan H. Hatcher in the Administration Building to discuss sales plans. Both-President Hatcher and Vice-President Marvin N. Niehuss (right) said they wanted to order their 1952 'Ensians before the prices are raised 10 per cent next Friday. MEMs also visited faculty offices in classroom buildings all over campus. kT >t 1t I EV ERtYONE VANTS FROM FOL ETT'S FOR CHRISTMAS r " )." L SSTJ we'i f-I5 w ..^.Dr ~a *lo * 014 GOOD WILL-Tim eout.was taken by a group of wandering MEMs to assist Salvation Army mem- bers collect Christmas donations near the Nickels Arcade. The hooded monsters were especially effective in relieving by-passers of their change, using force when necessary. -Daily-Al Reid SCIENTIFIC REVERSE--A botany student was looking for little monsters in her microscope, but ended up with a big one when this MEM halted momentarily on his tour of class buildings. n 4 Ch-ietna4 eugeetione ;r Fountain Pens Fountain Pen Desk Sets Stationary Gift Boxes Playing Cards Pinking Shears Book Ends Buxton Pocket Books Robinson Reminders Photograph Albums Scrap Books Brief Cases Plastic Telephone Covers (Assorted Colors), Card Shufflers Ladies Manicure Sets Men's Manicure Sets Diaries Magnetic Memo Pads Telephone List Finders Calendars Games ;;. .T NEW PORTABLE TYPEWRITERS immediate Delivery SMITH-CORONA V. 1. I i -irauy-. Xl neia 7TNCTTCPPC!TTVtI VT !TTM TZIIirpntIv ctlidvinr in the main floor --Daily-Al! Reid ' I