Show High l r 1 Times T b This Is Christmas By FLORENCE BITTNER A day of magic when peace descends upon earth good will to men doesn't seem an impossible dream and many dreams come true This is Christmas THE VERY idea of Christmas requires that people think not of themselves but of others and the day dayis is made up of many ingredients the most important of which is love supported by a strong band of thought- thought CHRISTMAS IS gifts brought proudly home from school wrapped with tender awkwardness in decorated crayon-decorated paper It is secrets whispered in corners and cries of Dont come IN here It is shopping excursions with children whose loving selections total more than their hoarded savings It is the reflection of colored lights on snow and beautiful cards sent from far away places IT IS the worn work-worn hands of a farmer carefully painting painting painting paint paint- ing small handmade table and chairs the love on the face of a tired mother as she doll clothes while her children sleep or the bewilderment of the face of ofa ofa ofa a grandfather as he tries to choose from a selection of toys I Christmas is many sounds It is carols caroLe sung by famous choirs or by a group of small wriggling children who forget half the words It is the tinkle of colored bells swaying in a cold breeze and the words Merry Christmas Christmas Christmas Christ Christ- mas never spoken too often to loose their friendly ring CHRISTMAS IS many scents and flavors It is fudge and fruit cake and nut shells and popcorn Christmas is closed bedroom doors and much giggling in corners It is packages wrapped by small children who emerge bearing gifts of many corners and six shades of ribbon CHRISTMAS IS lists and work and the love that grows larger to provide the cement that bi binds th the family together together together to to- gether for the rest of the year CHRISTMAS IS the Eve when all the hurrying and the work has come to its conclusion and the home holds all the gifts and the most important gift of all allis allis allis is the home itself and the family it shelters And finally Christmas is the morning when in the rosy glow of the Christmas tree and the faces of the family all the effort and the hurrying and expense are suddenly worth the bother IT IS the night pierced with the calls of children it time to get up YET and the final weary Yes Come on on from parents as eager as the children children children chil chil- dren and the thump of their feet hitting the floor in unison After the family has knelt together for the prayer of and thanksgiving for what we really celebrate there is a minutes minute's silence as we stand in awe in front of all that magnificence IN THE dark room with only the tree lights lit an air of wonderous magic hovers over the doll by its cradle the sled dimly seen and over all the mysterious and beautifully wrapped gifts In no time at all the lovely wrapping paper is torn discarded in piles and as each child takes time to examine with slow delight the treasurers they've received received re re- mother and dad can sit down and enjoy their greatest happiness through the joy of their children FOR TillS THIS one day it is possible to believe tl the e world does remember the words of him whom we celebrate this day And this is my commandment that you should love one another as I have loved you |