The Brussels Post, 1977-12-21, Page 2Frozen apples
Behind the scenes
By Keith Roulston
The message still matters
Brussels Post
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1977
Serving Brussels and the surrounding community.
Published each Wednesday afternoon at Brussels, Ontario
by McLean Bros. Publishers, Limited.
F\4.‘lyn Kennedy - Editor Dave Robb - Advertising
Membc'r Canadian Community Newspaper -Association and
Ontario Weekly Newspaper Association
Subscriptions (in advance) Canada $8.00 a Year, Others
$14.00 a Year, Single Copies 20 cents each.
*CNA
arralKOHND
11072
And it came to pass
Luke 2:1-10
And it came to pass in those days that there went
out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the
world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first
made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all
went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of
Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is
called Bethlehem (because he was of the house arid
lineage of David), to be taxed with Mary his
espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that while they were there, the days
were accomplished that she could be delivered. And
she brought forth her first-born son, and laid him in a
manger; because there was no room for them in the
inn
An'd there were in the same country shepherds
abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flock
by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon
them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about
them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said
unto them, "Fear not: for behold I bring you good
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For
unto you is born this day in the city of David, a
Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a
sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in
swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And
suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the
heavenly host praising God and saying "Glory to
God in the highest and on earth peace, good will
toward men."
The Christmas spirit
soon as they put away th'e elf costumes, and
park the fairyland floats after the Christmas parades,
the big stores begin to plan for next year's parade.
The countdown to the next Christmas begins that
soon.
We all have an appointment with Christmas and
our personal countdown is underway. No other event
in the year gets as much advance planning and
effort. Like the parade planners, for some a year or
more in advance is hardly enough. Each of us has a
list of- things to do, a schedule to meet, presents to
buy, tree to get, baking to do, invitations and cardS
to send out. We have learned to leave little to chance
when it comes to Christmas. Yet there is one thing
that is often left to chance - the renewal of the Spirit-
of Christmas within us.
Actually, some feel that the renewal of the
Christmas Spirit ought to be unplanned, a
spontaneous thing, catching us unawares. Some-
times it happens that way. In the wordsi the
pageantry, the colour, the message of Christmas
touches the deep roots Within us and warms our
spirits. Inspired by the message of the Christ Child,
we learn to care about others, We catch a vision of a
peaceful world, a world where love reigns and people
count.
Each of us can plan to take time to get in touch
with the real Christmas Spirit. Christmas is not
about things, or even about what happened long ago.
It is about something that can happen to each of Us
today. (Contributed)
"Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men", the
prom ise of the Christmas message delivered
by the angels to the shepherds in the fields.
No earthly wish could be greater and yet none
has seemed more unattainable in the 2000
years since the message ,was given.
Oft 'en We tend to be pretty cynical. There
seems to be so little improvement in the
world. Every where we look there is hatred,
war, -death and hunger.
Yet the greatest gift to the world as
Christmas 1977 approaches is that probably
there has never been so little- war and
bloodshed in the last 2000 years as there is
this y ear. There have been so many hopeful
signs in 1977. There were those two glorious
ladies in Northern Irelenad who won the Nobel
Peace Prize for their efforts in bringing peace
to the troubled country. The situation there
may be quiet for only a moment, but at least
it's not monopolizing the headlines with tales
of terror.
The situation in Rhodesia may be
improving. Ian Smith, of course, may simply
be playing another of his tricks, but his offer
to turn the country over to minority rule may
also be genuine and may if the world is lucky,
end bloodshed there.
Of course, most hopeful of all is the recent
developments between Isreal and Egypt two
countries between which there seemed no
possibility of peace only a few months ago.
Today hopes are real that he two may come to
a solution of almost continuous state of war
that has p lagued them fOr nearly 30 years and
perhaps through their mutual efforts peace
may be brought to all the countires of the
Middle East.
All these developments have a long way to
go, of course. The hopes of today may be the
disappointments of tomorrow, but at least in
1977 we have the hope.
Peace though is fleeting. We may settle
the problems of today only to find new ones
arising tomorrow. Peace will never be assured
as long as some people starve while others are
gluttons. At no tithe is the sad state of the
world more noticable than at Christmas. This
year, while Canadians lament the sad state of
their country, While they complain about
unemployment and inflation and say things
have never been as black, they will still spend
hiindreds of dollars apiece buying gifts for
others, gifts that will break or be forgotten in a
matter of weeks. They will stuff thetnselves
with turkey and Candy and drink until they
forget where they are.
MR. AND MRS ALEX BREWER.
Alex (Sandy) Brewer was
born at lot 17 con 7 Grey Twp.
His wife, Tessa Engler Was born'
on the 5th of Grey. They,
purchased the old Brewer farm,
Lots 22 and 23, con 4 Morris from
his Uncle Edward Brewer. They
continued to run this &rib for the
balance of their lives: `They
one son: They were PreSbyteriati
While our children watch endless com-
mercials for the latest inventive toys on their
colour televisions and make long shopping
lists for Santa Claus., millions of little children
in other parts of the world want only one
precious gift, enough, food to fill their
stomachs, to get them through one more day.
While parents in Canada try to decide which of
the hundreds of possible gifts to give their
children, parents in many countries pray to be
able to give their children warm clothes, or a
roof over their heads.
The sad part about Christmas 1977 is that,
while we seem to be making such steps toward
peace on earth goodwill toward men in some
areas, we are already sowing the seeds for
new wars in others. Canadians are paying less
attention to the plight of the one third of the
world that goes to bed hungry this year than
in the past. We've moved into a position of
isolation. We're wrapped up in our own
problems, problems of national disunity and
unemployment, that we don't even bother to
look at the plight of millions who have only
one problem, surviving until tomorrow.
And the tragedy of it all is that if we would
truly adopt the spirit of Christmas, we
wouldn't have to worry about our own
problems. If we really believed that "it is
more blessed to give than to receive" then
we'd be working hard to help the less
fortunate. That spirit of giving, not taking,
would spread into our relations with other
Canadians. If French and English 'were more
intersted in giving than receiving, there would
be 'understanding between the two founding
peoples. If ordinary citizens were , more
interested in giving than' receiving, we
wouldn't have a country driven'to the verge of
bankruptcy by greed. We wouldn't be
demanding more money to buy the little
extras like microwave ovens and second
snowmobiles for every family. We'd be
instead concerned, truly concerned, with
sharing our wealth with the poor nations of the
. world, with helping them to learn to provide
for themselves so that life wasn't just a battle
for survival but a meaningful thing.
The opportunity for peace on earth is within
our grasp, if only we'd take time out of our
grasping for materialistic pleasures' to work
for it: Unfortunately, if the angels delivered
their message today, there'd problaby be no
one to hear it: we'd all be too busy watching.
Our color televisions or listening to our
expensive stereo record players'.
•
McArthur farm Lot 10 Con 6 Grey
IWp. Their son now operates this
farm. They retired to the fOrmer
David Cumin-That-ft home on the
south east cornet of Thomas and
John Streets in Brussels Which is
still owned by his vvidow. There
are font Song'. Mr: Bray was a
member of the United Church and
is buried in the Brussels
Cettietery.
More arena plague biographies
and are buried in the Brussels
Cemetery.
MR. WILBER BRAY
Bert Bray was born at
Leadbury where his father was a
blackstnith and moved to the
Moncrief area when very young:
He married Annie Ward. from
tatty Twp, and they lived'in.
Morris Twp, for about five years.
They then purchased the Peter