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Show ( Gutter tlie I I (Rainbow , CAR0L LEM0N- - I was feeiing rather 'Grinchy' as I came to work the other morning. The day had dawned with a grey, dreary feeling, and the clouds hung heavy over the valley. The girls quibbled as they set off for school, the truck spluttered as I fired It up, seemingly unwilling un-willing to wake up and start the day. As I turned the corner a Christmas Carol came sailing over the radio and hit me with a jolt. 'Tis the Season to be Jolly', they sang happily. 'Tis the season sea-son all right, I muttered, 'The season for the check book to feel pinched - for the children to get that 'Gim -me this and gimme that' look in their eyes, and the season for hustling and bustling bust-ling all those meetings, parties and shopping excursions. ex-cursions. The thoughts alone had worn me out. 'What's the matter with you?' I sternly reprimanded. reprimand-ed. 'Christmas has always been a favorite time of the year for you. Where's your Christmas Spirit?' True. I've always loved the feeling in the air at Christmas. . . the snow, the Christmas tree, the music, it's contagious and to me has been a warm, glowing, enjoyable time of the year. The commercial come on Is hard to take. I hear people say that 'They start the glow of candlelight shining shin-ing in the window. Carols were sung gifts thoughtfully chosen and lovingly lov-ingly given. True, a homemade home-made treat, or a simple orange or apple, perhaps some special candy or cookies, cook-ies, or a rag doll sufficed, but the children awoke with the same sparkle in their eyes as children do today. That visit from Kris Krin-gle Krin-gle or Father Christmas was as eagerly awaited by those long ago children as today's. For the past few years I've pretty well let Christmas Christ-mas pass me by. I've considered con-sidered myself lucky just to be able to plow through it. This year I hope it will be different. I want Christmas Christ-mas all around me. It IS the season of Joy. If I want to emulate old Ebenez-er, Ebenez-er, I can. . . but it's my loss. The story of a baby born in a time of trouble is nothing noth-ing new. But that Baby grew . to change the course of the world, and of men's lives. Peace, love and joy were the messages he taught -and love thy neighbor. Sharing, giving of self for others, bringing happiness to others, are all part of the holiday, spirit. Christmas Christ-mas Is a state of mind. . . And to my mind, it's beautiful! the season earlier every year.' 'I'm glad to see it end.' What's happened to that ages old TRUE spirit of Christmas? The world has always had t's share of Mr. Scrooges and Grinches. . . those who pull in their antennae and close their senses to anything any-thing that might resemble enjoyment and celebration. Rather than participate and partake, they chose to ignore. ig-nore. The loss was theirs only. As in everything we do these days, we've overdone Christmas. We feel we have to spend a small fortune giving lavish gifts or it won't be successful. Christmas has always been a special time. Holly and Mistletoe graced the Mantlepiece centuries ago. The Yule log burned brightly bright-ly on the hearth. The goose or turkey feast was prepared with love, and family and . friends were welcomed by |