.
I III!
’Twas The Night
Before Christmas
It was Christmas Eve in the
year 1822. Dr. Clement Clarke
Moore sat by his cheerful fire and
listened to the excited chatter of
his children. They were eagerly
anticipating a visit from Saint
Nicholas and talking about the
wonderful gifts they would re
ceive the next morning. As the
father listened, he pondered over
the characteristics of the good
saint.
The early Holland Dutch set
tlers had brought to this country
a tall, thin, asectic saint who
climbed in windows, rode white
horses in some countries, and in
others arrived by boat. Here, he
was called Santa Nikalaus; soon,
the name was shortened to Santa
Klaus, and later became Santa
Claus.
But, in 1809, Washington Irving
had written a story describing
Santa Claus as a chubby little
chap with a white beard and a
jolly manner who sped through
the air in a reindeer sleigh and
descended chimneys. Later, Thom
as Nast, cartoonist for Harper’s
Illustrated Weekly and the origin
ator of the G.O.P. elephant, the
Democratic donkey and the Tam
ft-—
I many tiger, portrayed Santa Claus
i and gave the bearded old gentle
man a red, ermine-trimmed coat.
When Mrs. Moore finally per
| suaded the children to go to bed,
the father sat by the fire a lcmg
| time thinking. That evening he
i had driven from New York to his
! Chelsea estate and the jingle of
the bells on the harness of old
Dobbin had suggested Christmas
i tide verses for his children.
He though of the descriptions
! Washington Irving and other nota:!
bles had given Saint Nicholas; he
• remembered an old Dutchman
who used to do jobs around the
Moore home. Using • him as a
model, Dr. Moore penned the im
( mortal lines—
Twas the night before Christ
mas.
When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring.
Not even a mouse.
On Christmas Day he read the
' poem to his children, and they
lover it. For 124 years, genera
tions of children have loved and
j recited “A Visit from Saint Nich
olas.” It is a poem that interests
| “children” of all -ages, who have
any interest in Santa Claus, or
Saint Nicholas.—(From an article
by E. B. Dykes Beachy in the Na
tional Republic).
CHRISTMAS PRAYER—“Peace On Earth ...”
(By Rev. Robert Treat)
Forgive us, Lord, that we who have known thee these
many years still know so little of Thy Peace. He have
shed our blod for our brothers, and in doing so we hoped
we had stopped tyrants. We have builded our homes on
a far continent, hoping to take our children away from
the old world of despair and greed. We have given our
billions to those less fortunate. We have sent our sons
and daughters to carry Thy Word of peace and good will
to those who are suspicious of us, and who know Thee
not.
Somehow we have failed Thee. Forgive us God. Yet
we would serve Thee, and we despair lest we be cast off
as a civilization and an age that has served its purpose.
Somehow the mantle has fallen upon us to be the grim
keepers of the peace, and it rests uneasily upon our
hearts. Grant to us, and to our leaders, to see and do the
right, that in this hour Thy good will may be served, and
all men may see the light.
ANS EMPLOYEES FORM
ANNUAL DINNER GROUP
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Hemsing (for
merly ANS teachers at Wales)
were hosts at a Community Din
ner at their home on the campus
of the Santa Fe USIS Boarding
School, where Mr. Hemsing is su
perintendent.
Present were Mr. and Mrs. F. J.
Daugherty, for many years at
Gambell, Mr. and (Mrs. C. G. Cald
well, Dr. and Mrs. Johnson, Eli
nor D. Gregg, Mr. and Mrs. H.
Kyllingstad, Mrs. Helen Hatch,
Mrs. Bruce Milligan, and Mildred
Keaton. Mr. and Mrs. Wendell
Cordell were contacted by phone
but due to illness in the family
could not attend.
All present were formerly in
Alaska with the ANS and enjoyed
the get-together so much that they
have decided to make it an annual
affair.
Mildred Keaton well known
nurse of this area is acting secre
tary and states that a news bulle
tin with addresses of past and
present employees will be mailed
soon. Anyone qualifying who
would like to be on the mailing
list is requested to write her in
Dorothy Russell, former deacon
ess at Lavinia Wallace Young
Mission, writes from Kansas City
where she is attending school,
taking refresher courses at the
National College for Christian
Workers.
Miss Russell will be remember
ed for her work in organizing the
native voices into singing Christ
mas Carols in Eskimo which has
since become a part of our Christ
mas every years.
* care of ANS, Juneau, Alaska.
In extending our Christ
mas Greeting, we trust
that the road of life ahead
will lead you to much
i ' i
health and happiness.
THE GLUE POT
t
»
f
r
/\\ you enjoy a Christmas
rich with Joy, Peace and
Good Friends.
LOMEN
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COMMERCIAL COMPANY
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