OCR Text |
Show . Sun Times, December 19, 1979, Page 1 Ben Lomond Beacon, December 20, 1 979, Page 5 1 5 Clearf ield Courier. December 19. 1979. Page 1 5 is (00 By Dr. R. Dixon Jennings What is special about Christmas? This question was once asked in a church school. The answers varied from group to group. The young childrens replies included Santa Claus, Rudolph the d reindeer, the baby Jesus, and the Wise Men on their camels. In older groups the act of giving and Merry Christmas from Plain City Stake red-nose- Here s wishing you the kind of day you d most like to spend A day filled with all that's best, and happiness no end. Good wishes for a Merry Christmas are extended to everyone from the Plain City Stake. As we turn our thoughts toward the circumstances of the birth of Jesus Christ; let us also renew our determination to live the doctrines that He taught. Let us work toward establishing peace on earth by emulating the love He had for all mankind. Christmas naturally turns our thoughts to the needs of others. May this be a constant desire within your hearts to love and serve throughout the coming year. receiving gifts supplanted Santa Claus. Continuing up the age scale the answers included more conceptual values such as joy, peace, and love. One young lady quoted the opening lines from Christina Rossettis poem: Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love Divine Love was born at Christmas Star and angels gave the sign. Another note was sounded when a youth said there seemed to be more hope around than he had felt for a long time. People seemed to believe in one another more at Christmas time. What is there about Christmas that awakens hope in our hearts? Is it the expectation of renewal that came with the birth of Jesus? Charles Wesley wrote an Advent hymn that describes .the expectation of the season: d Jesus, Come, thou Horn to set thy people free: From our fears and sins release us; Let us find our rest in thee. Israel's strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth thou art; Dear desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart. Notice what is stressed in this OUR WISH And then, here's wishing you a year that truly holds in store More happiness for you and yours than any year before. To THROUGH MOTHERS EYES My beautiful babe, are you really any differenl? bile you nurse, your eyes look lo me intenlly. And your liny fingers move like the kitten. My hear! bursts with joy, am I so different? W Happy child, busy in play with scraps of wood. You surely are no different ... as I may see. And as you nestle, I sing and Stroke damp curls back from your face. long-expecte- release, rest, hymn freedom, strength, consolation, hope, desire, and joy. These feelings are kindled within our hearts as we celebrate the birth of Young man of mine, so intense and serious today, I do remember words of you that sometimes Slip Ix'hind tlx? daily movements of our lives, Hu: still remain in treasure. Jesus. The Bible pulsates with hope as it speaks of Jesus birth. The Old Testament looks forward to the coming of the Messiah, and the New Testament looks back upon his . humble but glorious birth. Our 1979 Christmas may well be the best ever if we teach and learn well the good news that God has acted decisively so that we can be delivered M pride grows daily as you work beside your father. Warm wood to touch and shape and sell. You really seem a special son. Ours jus! like the others. from our bondage. Now you must go to teach mankind, It's true, I know you are the Christ, But could you tarry longer?. . . I: matters not. . . While youre away, My eyes will see you And my love will yet grow stronger. Santas surprise visit Perrins We dolls were the happiest By Glen W. like some small plastic Indian and cowboy dolls for company we had even been in our lives. For Baby Doll, please bring a tiny Santas coming to the playhouse doll buggy. He needs to be wheeled out tonight, dolls its Christmas Eve, in the fresh air on nice days. said Barbara, our little mistress. When Barbara had finished her doll No wonder ouf littje glass .3 eyes-jjair- ly she pigjthem in an 'sprk(ed. with, excitement! . envelopetajnta, and addressecPthem tolhe Tonight was (he night wed been North Pole. dreaming about for two weeks, ever We dolls were as anxious as little blonde since our curly-haireand girls on Christmas Eve. boys mistress had gathered all of us about had arranged a small Barbara her and told us about Santa and the tree in the center of the Christmas presents he brings to good boys and playhouse. It was decorated with gay girls. tinsel and ornaments everything to This year, Im going to write Santa make the dolls happy. a letter and ask for some presents for Barbara was thinking so much can Santa said Barbara. you dolls, the dolls Christmas, she went about skip gifts for me, and remember my to without hanging up her own sleep doll family. Its your turn to be hapstocking. py To make sure Santa would be able to Isnt that just like our little into the playhouse, the breezes mistress, to forget herself and get at the door and blew it open remember us? She is always thinking puffedas Santa and his tiny reindeer just about those she loves. on the rooftop of Barbaras arrived Writing letters from the doll family home. to Santa was lots of fun. Of course, we Looking over his list, Santa read: couldnt write Santa ourselves, but for Barbaras dolls. Presents Barbara told us what she asked for shall I deliver these where Now, I each of us. She said: he chuckled. doll gifts? For Mother Doll, dear Santa, The playful breezes came to his help I She please bring a set of doll dishes. They blew a sudden gust of again. needs them for her playhouse dinners carried the letter out of which wind, and parties. hands, Santas straight down to the For Father Doll,, please bring door below. playhouse open house. doll some doll furniture for the ho, Santa, bounding Ho, laughed He cant make the furniture himself down the roof and the from sliding and he looks so unhappy because the The playhouse is the drainpipe. dolls have to stand up all the time. is open and ready, door eh? The For Girl Doll, please bring some place, to the playful breezes. thanks I new dresses. Her wardrobe is getting Quick as a flash, Santa went to work shabby. distributing doll gifts in the For Boy doll, please bring some playhouse. I toys. He is lonesome, too, and would He arranged the doll dishes for . rt d, Jesus: , Mother Doll; the doll furniture for Father Doll; the doll dresses for Girl and Doll; the toys and extra cowboy Indian dolls for Boy Doll; and the doll bucev for Baby Doll, 'And now. what about Barbara?, Santa asked himself. deserves thinking of the Christmas time. doll My heart breaks in agony to see your pain. And still I know, you have all mighty power. I kneel here now, and through my tears I see my babe, my child, my fine strong son. Gladly I would take your place, Am I really very different than any mother? Barbara, too, for family aV Ho, ho, ho! laughbd Santa. Well give her the surprise of her life. Well give her a regular shower of presents for her playhouse!" With a twinkle in his eyes, Santa reached into his bag, of toys and brought out pans and kettles, a small doll clothes washer, an electric stove, an ironer, and a real kitchen cabinet for one corner of the playhouse. Why, he even put down tiny rugs and linoleum on the playhouse floors. Now Barbara can really set up housekeeping with her family of dolls, laughed Santa. He whisked into his sled and was off. Santa chuckled clear to the North Pole as he thought of the surprise for Barbara. Indeed, Barbara was surprised on Christmas Day. This is the best, the merriest, and happiest Christmas ever," she told the dolls, as she saw all of the extra gifts Santa had left. Why, our playhouse is furnished as completely as Mother and Fathers home. Santa didnt forget a thing. Isnt he wonderful! We dolls all nodded our heads up and down, as if to say, Yes, yes indeed, Santa is wonderful and so is Barbara, too, for planning Santas surprise visit for us dolls. ,3 By EleaseW. King Read aloud Christams story: InlSlFFf folded nap on the clean, freshly to had He the on clothes dryer. more it make to them rearrange he family called him kitty," but comfortable, but after he got the knew in his heart he was the king, so it clothes all fluffed up, it was a cozy didnt bother him too much. bed. After all, they did wait on him paw When he woke up, he was hungry. door the to and tail. They hurried open He opened a cabinet with one paw and whenever he wanted to come in or go inside to see if there was slipped to say out. He didnt even have anything decent to eat. Anything most of the time, merely sit YUK. All there was, was cereal in front of the door. some bananas in that cupboard. and on him to Dinner was always served could humans stand such How demand no tiresome waiting around. he thought. stuff? It was always the most choice food: realized it was getting late he Then a or specially bits of meat, fish still hadnt come home. How and they prepared delicacy just for cats. to get them up in the would he manage and He slept wherever he pleased Look, would invariably exclaim, whenever he pleased. He did likes me best now! Harry as he much pleased. everything pretty Harry had a large brick home, all The family always said, Look, isnt carpeted and warm. It was full of soft Harry cute! no matter what. furniture for him to lie on, leap on, The family loved him, just because hide behind and scratch. turns took he was himself. They He had lots ofjoys and things to amuse himself with. He had balls and spools of thread to chase. He had crackly newspapers to hide in and prickly brush rollers to toss. He had mittens to put under the beds and a warm fireplace to curl up in front. When he got bored, he would go outdoors for a tour of his kingdom. It I scoured was a very nice kingdom. It had trees many shops full of birds and a field with several and catalogs mice for whenever he felt like going hunting. In summer, his family planted his For the best present with flowers. In the winter, kingdom ever they shoveled the walks for him. yoryou. But Harry did' have one very important responsibility. As king, he had But your gift made mine to get everyone up and going each look shabby morning. If he didnt get them up and cheap. bright and early, everyone was late for everything. He usually accomplished this task You gave me by springing onto each persons chest your time and demanding loudly as he could, and love. that they get up. That would always bring them to their feet in a hurry. You remembered the one One night the family had gone By Carol Jean Shaw His Harry S. Pussycat was a king. The Perfect Gift whose birth we celebrate Gave the best i t inviting "Come, jollow me. by Carol Jean Shaw ' n't T somewhere for the evening, thoughtfully leaving Harry with some peace and quiet. He had a good time unrolling the toilet paper and batting balls off the Christmas tree. Then he had a long petting him and cuddling him. They were so thrilled if he would give them a little attention! If he were to leap nto one of their laps, that person ..loming? They would be so tired. It would really be hard. of Harry started making the rounds the window sills, anxiously watching for their return. When they finally came in, he really let them have it. He told them in no uncertain terms how inconsiderate they were to worry him so. He stewed and fretted until he finally got them into bed. He was worn out by all the hassle. He had just settled down for the night, when he heard a loud clatter outside. he thought. Holy Now what? cats! I thought I could have some rest. Who in the catnip would come at this time of night? He jumped onto the window sill and asked peered out. Who is that? he I dont remember seeing himself. that character around here before. He looks sort of strange in that wooly red suit, with his long white hair and beard. I wonder what he was in that of big bag he is getting out ot the back his station wagon. Harry became very perturbed. That person, whoever he was didnt even bother to ring the doorbell. He just walked right in and started dumping things under the Christmas tree Harry told him off. How dare he just barge right in and start making a mess! But the fat old guy just kept right on cluttering up the house with his packages and junk. I hope you dont mind my coming in the door, but chimneys are too hard on my new Corfim boots," the man laughed. By the way, Harry, I have a special present here for you. Maybe I was too hard on the guy, inthought Harry. He has good tentions, anyway. Harry watched while the strange fat man unloaded his bag and filled the He familys Christmas stockings. even told him, Come again, when the man left. Then Harry sat down to open his with gift. He had a lot of fun playing and a and string the wrapping paper lot of fun playing with the catnip mouse that was inside. He had so much fun, he played and played for hours. In fact, he played so long that he overslept. He was sleeping soundly when he heard the family come into the room. Look at Harry lying on the wrapping paper, they exclaimed. "Isnt he cute?" How embarrassing," thought Harry, "1 have been neglecting my kingly duty, |