At the library

Christmas has its origins in ancient times. The Winter Solstice was celebrated by early man from Dec. 21, the shortest day of the year, through the month of January as the days continue to get longer.

The word Christmas is a shortened word for Christ Mass used in 1038.

The evergreen fir was traditionally used as decoration for the Winter Solstice. It reminded people of the lovely greening that takes place in the spring. The earliest trees were cherry or hawthorn trees. Those who were too poor to afford a live tree made wooden pyramids to look like trees.

The first time a tree was used to celebrate Christmas through New Year's was in Estonia and Latvia in the year 1510. Both trees were displayed in the market place, then set on fire reminiscent of the yule log.

The tree was brought into the house and decorated by Martin Luther. Candles were then attached to the tree so the clergy could deliver their sermons under it.

Happy holidays to all of our patrons at the Washington Public Library!

Adult Fiction

Sweet Taste of Revenge by Mary Ellis

Of Blood and Bone by Nora Roberts

Sugar Land by Tammy Lynne Stoner

Tony's Wife by Adriana Trigiani

Large Print Fiction

The Christmas Trespassers by Andrew J. Fenady

Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver

Adult Nonfiction

White Fragility by Robin Diangelo

In the Hurricane's Eye by Nathanial Philbrick

Magic Bean by Matthew Roth

No Better Friend by Robert Weintraub

Adult Biography

Racing to the Finish by Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Like Family by Paula McClain