The Rural Voice, 1979-12, Page 43CHRIS TMA S
What it means to me
Jean Douglas, who contributed this
special Christmas feature to Rural Voice,
lives on the family farm at R.R.7, St.
Marys. A 1974 graduate of Centralia
College of Agricultural Technology,
majoring in fashion, Jean sews and designs
clothes at home as well as working on the
dairy, beef and cash crop farm.
BY JEAN DOUGLAS
"Christmas!" I love to hear the word. It
conjures up happy joyous thoughts and
traditions to my mind: the multi -coloured
decorations adorning homes and churches;
the sweet aroma of freshly baked cookies; a
brisk walk to church on new fallen snow;
and furthermore, the jubilant gatherings of
families and friends celebrating the birth of
Christ.
Many people complain that Christmas is
becoming too commercialized and con-
sequently, something is lost. I have vet to
figure out what is missing. All the
children's toys amaze me. Who would
have dreamed about a doll that grows or
miniature racing cars that zoom through
the air, when I was a child? Moreover, the
Santa Claus parades astound me. 1 am in
complete awe of how man is so ingenious,
to out -do last year's celebration with his
electronic works of art. After all, I feel that
everything contributes to the traditions
of this festive occasion and sets it apart
from the rest of the year.
As we go to church each Sunday before
December 25 our minister tells the age old
nativity story. He builds his congregation
up to the highlight of the season: the birth
of Christ. We become closer to one another
as we unite in worshipping. It is a time for
joy and thankfulness. Never are humans so
loving, so forgiving, and so grateful as they
are now. We feel closer to our families
during this holiday and want to share it
with them. So like millions of families
around the world, we go home for
Christmas. It is a time to reflect on our past
and to ponder our future. We can
appreciate our accomplishments, and at
this same time. we can recharge our souls
for what lies ahead in the new year.
Accordingly, many folks start to make
prepatatiors for Christmas just as soon as
the new year begins. I am one of these
rare breed. Each new year? I start a
Christmas notebook where I jot down the
wants of my family and friends that they
casually say throughout the months before
December. Nevertheless, this has it's bad
points! First, I must keep the pamphlet
hidden from prying eyes which are not
restricted to the month before Christmas.
Often after I have skillfully tucked it away,
I find myself wondering where it is
concealed.
Second, by the time that I beg in to do
my shopping, ' I am plagued with gift
problems like most people. I have solved
the question which hampers most
Christmas shoppers of what to get for
whom but now I have to decide which of the
gifts to give since the lists often get quite
lengthy. Then, where do I hide it from
those mischievous snoopers again?
However, because I prefer to make most of
my presents, I don't get too bogged down.
If I wrap the articles but put no tags with
names on them, they can be discovered but
to no avail. During the year, I sew,
embroider, and quilt many projects for
giving at Christmas although I have to be
ready with a quick tale if someone arrives
unexpectedly at my home. I would rather
receive a gift that someone has put time
and effort into it's construction. It gives a
personal touch to the present which in
turn, transmits the sentiment of Christmas
to the receiver.
In the autumn after the first snowflake
falls, I get anxious for Christmas just like
children around the world do. It must be a
fall back to my childhood. I dig out my old
recipe..., that have been handed from
gerneration to generation for Christmas.
Then, I buy holiday magazines to find
projects for gay decorations to make for my
home. At this same time, I start humming
a few bars of my favourite carols. Now that
The
Young Farmer
I am in the full swing of Christmas
arrangements, I tackle the greeting cards. I
only write a few at a sitting because I bore
myself writing the events of the past year
to my different friends and relatives. Soon
the parties and dances start. Everyone lifts
off the burdens of day to day living and
celebrates together in the holiday spirit.
Nowhere is the spirit of Christmas more
prevalent than in its songs! From the
children's favorite "Rudolph the Red -
Nosed Reindeer" to the reverent "Silent
Night", there is a melody for every mood
of Christmas. It is pleasant to listen to a
choir harmonizing in church, but on the
other hand, I love joining a group of
carollers. Just about everyone knows one
carol or another or at least can hum the
tune. It is a pity that these joyous tunes are
not heard throughout the year..
Christmas is unique to every individual.
I have discovered in my own life, that the
festive spirit that I experience, is also the
same one that I bestow on others. I believe
that Christmas is only what you want it to
be. During the remaining part of the year, I
yearn for the hustle and bustle of last
minute Christmas shopping in gaily
decorated stores, or for the merrymaking
with friends and relatives over a
sumptuous dinner, but most of all, I miss
the peaceful tranquility that permeates the
air at holiday time. I would like Christmas
to last all year long, but at that same time,
it would not be so special then, would it?
What's it
all about?
Contributor Kathy Underwood, 18, is an
honour student at F.E. Madill high school
in Wingham and editor of the Madill
Minor. She helps out on the family farm at
R.R.1, Wingham and is active in 4-H
Work.
BY KATHY UNDERWOOD
What does Christmas means to me? To
be perfectly honest, (and this is em-
barrassing!) I don't really know. It's an
enigma; something that's there yet next to
impossible to describe.
It could mean just a holiday from school,
THE RURAL VOICE/DECEMBER 1979 PO. 41