christmas Trivia Quiz # 15

George, in "The Strike". Somebody gives him a card that says that money has been given to a charity on his behalf. So, he does the same, except he makes up the charity. He gets wine and cigars as gifts and gives out donations to "The Human Fund" ("money for people"). Mr. Kruger, his boss, decides to give some money to charity on the company's behalf. When he checks out "The Human Fund", he finds that it doesn't exist. George lies and tells him that he gave out fake Christmas gifts because he celebrates Festivus. Festivus was invented by Frank Costanza. He was trying to buy a doll (??) for George but another man took it and the doll was destroyed. Now he celebrates Festivus with an aluminum pole (no tree), the "Feats of Strength" and the "Airing of Grievences".

Dunbar (1460-1513) was known for the striking character of his opening lines (his poem on the Resurrection begins ""Done is a battell on the dragon blak"). This poem's opening lines are from Isaiah 45, 7-8: "Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour forth righteousness; let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring forth together; I, the Lord, have created it." The text was used in the Catholic liturgy as the introit (entrance antiphon) for the fourth and final Sunday of Advent. The final line of each verse is from Isaiah 9, verse 6. Dunbar's fascinating poem takes it's cue from the nature imagery used by Isaiah and describes the birth of the Savior in similar terms:

"Heavens, distill your balmy showers;

For now is risen the bright Day-star

From the rose Mary, flower of flowers:

The clear sun, whom no cloud devours,

Surmounting Phoebus in the East,

Is comen of His heav'nly towers,

Pro nobis puer natus est."

The use of Latin, as well as the idealization of the Virgin Mary, recalls Scotland's medieval, pre-Reformation past, while the reference to the pagan gods (Phoebus in verse I, Aurora in verse III) hearkens back to antiquity. Dunbar is best known for the poems he wrote for the royal family, notably the romantic ode "The Thrissill and the rose", penned for the nuptials of James IV and Margaret Tudor in 1503. His body of work includes much comical and darkly satirical poetry, some of which occasionally earned him the disapprobation of the royals. The 20th century Scottish poet Hugh Mc Diarmid esteemed Dunbar above all Scottish poets of the past, and when asked to select a model for contemporary poets stated decisively "Not Burns, but Dunbar!"

This year, Grandpa thought Clark was mature enough to read it.

Gaudette means to rejoice. It is the day on which the pink candle, the shepherds candle standing for joy, in the Advent wreath is lit. There is also a hauntingly beautiful carol from medieval times called 'Gaudette'.

There really is a French carol which translates as "What is That Beautiful Smell."

The Biscochitos cookies are a great favorite of New Mexico. It is crisp and tender and will remind you of black licorice.

Elaine is hesitant about taking her picture at first, but Jerry backs Kramer up and recommends that she get her picture taken for a Christmas card. Although they don’t notice it at first, Kramer and Elaine make the card with a picture that shows Elaine’s nipple.

They had planned on going to Hawaii, but because of complications on the flight, they had to turn around and go back to LA.

The Puritan English Parliament ignored the celebration of Christmas from 1643 and in 1647 officially abolished Christmas; it was not until the Restoration in 1660 that Christmas became celebrated again.

Christine was ready to go off on her own when Drew told her she had to go with Doo-Dah. When she questions Drew as to why, he tells her, "Because he's your father?"