CHRISTMAS
MERRY
Hot? often this greeting is heard or seen—some tines ue might even feci that it is used
too common, but I don’t think it is. Those uho have the Christmas spirit can say ,
"I'HRHY CHRISTMMS” to anyone md really mean it* Of course there are some uho main
tain there is no such thing as Christmas spirit. Tin esc are the people uho feel that
the uholc uorld is against then--that everyone else is crooked—that they stand alone
against the rest of the uicked uorld* Fortunately their numbers are feu.
Stop to consider—Most of our acquaintances arc. really ’’pretty good folks” aren’t they?
Most of them uould lend us a hand if uo uerc in need. More of them uould speak a
good uord for us than ue might realize. * *
Consideration of others, toloranco of their opinions, recognition of their good points
these are some of the basic ingredients of C.'ristmas spirit. Each man furnishes his
oun ingredients and pours his oun portion*
James W. Wilson,Manager
CHRISTniflS in OTHER LfllOOS
Years ago an old man by the name of St* Nicholas uent about doing generous acts in
secret such as slipping money of silver and gold through the keyholes or undor tho
doors of poor people. He mado many hones happy uithout letting anyone knou uho lie
uas* From this custom originated by this kind old man, the spirit of giving at
Christmas time in memory of the Savior’s birth has garoun into a uorld uido custom of
giving each other gifts. For the children it has dovelpped into a night of mystery
uhen gifts are said to bo loft by Snrta Claus or good old St* Nicholas uho is said to
sneak in at night uith a pack load of toys. In truth this spirit of’giving can bo
said to be the spirit of St. Nicholas still alive in the uorld today* In this country
ho is better knoun as Santa Claus.
In France Bon home Noel, as they call Santa Claus, is accompanied by another ghost —
a thin, weasel-faced old gentleman, with long gray beard,tbreathing dark cys and a
frowning forehead. This is Lc Pore Founttord which means Father W::inner# This second
ghost is supposed to carry a wickerwork basket' filled with tiny birch rods and he
leaves! one for every child who has been greedy, cross or very naughty during the year.
Children in Franco do not hang up their stockings on Christmas Evo. Tiey nut their
shoes in front of the hearth.
Christmas is celebrated all over the world—in Europo,'America, Asia, Africa and Aus
tralia. In the north wo associate Christmas with snow, but south of the Equator at
this time of the. year it is summer. Their celebration must be quite different from
our snowy and icy Christmas. TThilo'we do not hhways have all the snow and ico that
is supposed to accomapany Christmas, there is'something about the contrast between the
cold of the outdoor nor Id and the warm hearth, bright candles and Christmas spirit '
of the indoor world that lends a special kind of enchantment to Christmas. However,
just how wo oppress our Christmas joy with the matorial things that wo have is not so
important as the the spirit of good will that accompanies that expression of the
Chritmas Spirit.