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Show I I Sun Times, December 19, 1979, Poge 1 5 Ben Lomond Beacon. December 20. 1979. m By Dr. R. Dixon e-- .1 lh 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. 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. Israels 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 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. miiH toUBti m3 rj THROUGH MOTHERS EYES, My beautiful babe, are you really any different? While you nurse, your eyes look to me intently. And your tiny fingers move like the kitten. My heart bursts with joy , am 1 so different ? luppy child, busy in play with scraps of wood. as I may see. You surely are no different And as you nestle, I sing and 1 . ... Stroke damp curls back from your face. Young man of mine, so intense and serious today, do remember words of you that sometimes slip liehind tlx; daily movements of our lives, (Hu: still remain in treasure. Ll birth of 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 hymn freedom , release, rest, strength, consolation, hope, desire, and joy. These feelings are kindled within our hearts as we celebrate the 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 from our bondage. d, Isnt that just like our little cowboy dolls for company For Baby Doll, please bring a tiny -- doll buggy. He needs to be wheeled out in the fresh air on nice days. When Barbara had finished her doll letters to Santa, she puMhem in an envelope and addressed them to the North Pole. We dolls were as anxious as little boys and girls on Christmas Eve. Barbara had arranged a small Christmas tree in the center of the playhouse. It was decorated with gay tinsel and ornaments everything to make the dolls happy. Barbara was thinking so much about the dolls Christmas, she went without hanging up her own to sleep stocking. To make sure Santa would be able to get into the playhouse, the breezes puffed at the door and blew it open just as Santa and his tiny reindeer arrived on the rooftop of Barbaras mistress, to forget herself and remember us? She is always thinking about those she loves. 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, each of us. She said: doll gifts? he chuckled. For Mother Doll, dear Santa, TTie playful breezes came to his help 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, straight down to the Santas For Father Doll, please bring open playhouse door below. some doll furniture for the doU house. Ho, ho, laughed Santa, bounding He cant make the furniture himself from the roof and sliding down the the and he looks so unhappy because drainpipe. The playhouse is the dolls have to stand up all the time. and ready, place, eh? The door is open For Girl Doll, please bring some thanks to the playful breezes. work new dresses. Her wardrobe is getting Quick as a flash, Santa went to doll gifts in the shabby. distributing For Boy doll, please bring some playhouse. He arranged the doll dishes toys. He is lonesome, too, and would A I ;A at thinking of the doll family A ' Christmas time. Ho, ho, ho! laughed Santa. Well life. Well give her the surprise of her of shower presents a give her regular 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 ; ? r -- . - Barbara. Now you must go to teach mankind. Its :rue. I know you are the Christ, Hu: could you tarry longer?. . . I: matters not. . . While youre away. My eyes will see you And my love will yet grow stronger. 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 Santa's surprise visit for us dolls. folded nap on the clean, freshly to clothes on the dryer. He had more it to make them rearrange he family called him kitty, but comfortable, but after he got the so it the was he king, his heart knew in 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 and tail. They hurried to 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. sit anything most of the time, merely YUK. All there was, was cereal in front of the door. some bananas in that cupboard. and Dinner was always served to him on How could humans stand such around. demand-- no tiresome waiting stuff? he thought. It was always the most choice food: Then he realized it was getting late bits of meat, fish or a specially How and they still hadnt come home. prepared delicacy just for cats. and to get them up in the he would manage He slept wherever he pleased took, would invariably exclaim, whenever he pleased. He did now! best me likes Harry everything pretty much as he pleased. 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, because loved him, just The family hide behind and scratch. he was himself. They took turns He had lots of toys 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 full of birds and a field with several many shops 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 didn't 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 person's 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 for the evening, somewhere whose birth we celebrate Umhtfully leaving Harry with some peace and quiet. He had a good time unrolling the Gave the best i t toilet paper and batting balls off the inviting Christmas tree. Then he had a long "Come, jotlow me. " petting him and cuddling him. They were so thrilled if he would give them a little attention! If he were to leap Mo one of their laps, that person Shaw fey Carol Jean ..torning? They would be so tired. It would really be hard. rounds of Harry started making the By Carol Jean Shaw His Harry S. Pussycat was a king. . aJ rmrrTui And still Read aloud Christams story: The Perfect Gift ns heart breaks in agony to see your pain. 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? By EleaseW. King J My Santa' asked himself., Barbara deserves plenty of gifts, too, for . I Warm wood to touch and shape and sell. You really seem a special son. Ours jus! like the others. fs M 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 buggy for Baby Doll. And nmyr what about Barbara? like some small plastic Indian and By Glen W. nMy pride grows daily as you work beside your father. L Santa s surprise visit Perrins We dolls were the happiest we had even been in our lives. Santas coming to the playhouse tonight, dolls its Christmas Eve, said Barbara, our little mistress. No , wonder1 our little glasseyes fairly sparkled with excitement. Tonight was the night wed been dreaming about for two weeks, ever blonde since our about us of all had mistress gathered her and told us about Santa and the presents he brings to good boys and girls. This year, Im going to write Santa a letter and ask for some presents for can you dolls, said Barbara. Santa remember my and for me, skip gifts doll family. Its your turn to be hap- And then, here's wishing you a year that truly holds in store More happiness for you and yours than any year before. Jesus: To long-expecte- py. 5 is c Merry Christmas from Plain City Stake d curly-haire- 1 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 reindeer, the baby Jesus, and the Wise Men on their camels. In older groups the act of giving and receiving gifts supplanted Santa Claus. Continuing up the a'ge scale the answers included more conceptual values such as joy, peace, and love. One young lady quoted the opening red-nose- Cleorfield Courier, December 19. 1979. Page Page 15 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 He stewed they were to worry him so. 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 peered out. Who is that? he asked himself. I dont remember seeing 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 the ot back of big bag he is getting out the his station wagon. Harry became very perturbed. That even person, whoever he was didnt 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 the in door, but chimneys are too hard on my new Corfam boots, the man laughed. By the way, Harry, I have a special present here for you. Maybe 1 was too hard on the guy, inthought Harry. "He has good tentions, anyway." fat Harry watched while the strange the filled and his unloaded man bag He familys Christmas stockings. when Come again," even told him, . the man left. Then Harry sat down to open his with gift. He had a lot of fun playing a and 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. took at Harry lying on the exclaimed. wrapping paper." they "Isnt he cute?" thought How embarrassing. Harry. "1 hove been neglecting my kingly duty." |