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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1992-12-23, Page 4Page 4 Times -Advocate, December 23, 1992 Publisher: Jim Beckett News Editor: Adrian Harte Business Manager: Don Smtth Composition Manager: Deb Lord tea Publications Mail Registration Number 0386 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: CANADA WNMi 40 rens (65 km.) addressed to non litter clavier addresses $30.00 piss $2.10 G.S.T. Outside 40 mars (65 la .) or any letter cavies address $30.00 plus $28.35 (total 56.25) + 3.94 G.S.T. Outside Canada $68.00 fe ect harinoiiij By Rev. Mark Gaskin, Caven Presbyterian Church Last Monday, at the annual Precious Blood School Christmas 'Concert, half the choir members were singing The First Noel and the other half were singing Angels' Lullabye. It sounded like two different songs being per- formed at the same time. The end result of this unique choir piece could have been a cacophony of sound. It might have hurt the ears of family members and friends who had gathered to watch the younger students of the school. But, that is not what happened. The result was, in fact, a perfect blend of har- monies and words. Later, as I considered what the choir did that night, I thought about the struggle Christians have with this time of year. Our modern cul- ture uses Christian symbols and parts of the Christmas Story to convey very different messages from the ones originally intend- ed. Church and society are singing two differ- ent tunes at the same time. What is the re- sult? Well, Christians can not afford to be too self-righteous about what has happened to their sym- bols. Afterall, some traditional symbols, such as the Christmas tree, were borrowed from other religions. The more modern religion of consumerism is only doing what bias been done before. And the biblical symbols of the stable, magi, shepherds and the Holy Family have remained relatively untouched by the brush of commercialism. Still, many believe it is nearly impossible to hear the Church's "tune" dur- ing this time of year. I have to disagree! I have heard the tune many times this month. True, it has been different versions and in different settings. But, I have heard it. I have heard the Church's "tune" being sung in Somalia. In a Muslim country torn apart by civil war and famine, Christian relief agencies were answering Christ's command to love their neighbours. And, when it became impossible to car- ry out the task, UN peace-keepers stepped in. Not for the same reasons, of course, for their own reasons. Society sang its own "tune" during this inter- vention - but so what? The result has meant people are being fed - and that is harmonious to my ears! I have heard the Church's "tune" being sung as congregations have gath- ered food, clothing, toys and money for disadvantaged families in the area. Yes, schools and banks and stores have sung their own tunes as they joined in this effort. And yes, the "Christmas Bureau" is administered by a social service agency singing its own tune - but so what? The result has meant families are being helped - and that is harmonious to my ears! I have heard the Church's "tune" being sung as they offer a variety of wor- ship services and special events to highlight the Christmas story. And yes, more than a few people use these services and events to make their annual pilgrimage to their church. They are singing their own tune if they feel a once a year visit is enough - but so what? Their presence means they still feel a spiritual need to worship God - and that is harmonious to my ears! Let us remember, even during the original events of the Christmas story two different tunes were being sung. For instance, Mary faced a society ready to condemn her because of her pregnancy. Joseph was ready to give into this pressure until he was visited by an angel and his faith in God was strengthened. And, Joseph and Mary found themselves in Bethlehem, not because they wanted to be there, but because the State had decreed a census was needed. Christians have never held a monopoly on the tunes being sung during this time of year. So Christians need not be intimidated by the tunes being sung by society, by other faiths, and by those whose feelings are summed up by two words "Bah, humbug!" It may be those other tunes deepen the harmony of the tune the Church sings all year long, "Peace on earth and good will to all!" .4. H "Men are never so likely to settle a question rightly as when they discuss it freely." . Thomas Macauley Published Eaoh Wednesday Mornlag M 424 Main St., Exeter, Ontario, NOM 1S6 by 1.W. Eedy Publioatlons Ltd. Telephone 1611-235-1331 0.1.1. 10101210366 Letters to Editor Thanks for your contribution Dear Editor: On behalf of the McGillivray Township History Group and the Council of the Township of McGillivray, I thank you most sin- cerely for the fine contribution you have made to the McGillivray Township Sesquicentennial Cele- brations. The extensive coverage the Times Advocate } has given the book launching o11f "McGillivray Township Remembers" and all the Sesquicentennial Special Events has been greatly appreciated. Yours sincerely Charles P. Corbett, Reeve & Chairman McGillivray Township History Group Be proud of our white squirrels Dear Editor: Recently, I wished to give a "White Squirrel Souvenir". to an out-of-town friend. I inquired in nine stores that I thought might carry souvenirs. One had keyrings and spoons with the Old Town Hall and one had little plaster squirrels without "Exeter" written on them. But not one store in Ex- eter has' White Squirrel souve- nirs. What happened to all the White 11 Squirrel promo- tion? I suggest that through the BIA two or three stores could make a point of carrying mugs, sun catchers etc. to encour- age the tourist trade. I did purchase a White Squirrel pin from the clerks office but I felt there should be more of a variety in town that is proud of its white squirrels. Audrey MacGregor Exeter Youth for youth by youth Dear Editor. In a world with so many prob- lems with drugs and alcohol it is refreshing to see that there are still some young people who are trying to do something about it. I have recently been chosen to help staff the 36th annual Toc Al- pha Christmas Conference in To- ronto. The conference focuses on teaching leadership skills and edu- eating youth Concems Canada at (416) 293 - about the dan- 3400. gers of alcohol I am really looking forward to and drug abuse. the conference and I hope that oth- What makes Toc er youth in our community will be Alpha unique is come involved in more activities that it is run by such as this. youth between 14 and 24 years old. The conference runs between De- cember o-cember 27 and December 30. You can get more information by calling v- ' Sincerely, Michelle Ross Exeter Ways to assist community Dear Editor: As a means of helping to disarm potentially dangerous employer- employee relationships, and to as- sist your community I suggest a short series of articles on ways to cope with recent changes in U.I.C. regulations. I believe these changes were necessary. However, they will fuel tensions and bitterness especially among employees, but also as your recent editorial suggests, create opportu- nity for abuse by employers. Arti- cles pointing out: clear access to councilliatory agen- cies; legal recourse; employment problem counsellors and reminding employers and em- ployees of their moral obligations to themselves, their community, places of employment and their families are needed. And I believe would greatly benefit your commu- nity and your newspaper. Publication of grievances and so- lutions would also be beneficial. One more suggestion would be the creation of independent, volun- teer, reasonable mediating teams of two persons willing to go to the place of employment and assist however possible. Sincerely Bob Mosuriajohn Lucan Just a few miracles, please Santa Claus, Esq., North Pole, Canada, NOH 0110 Dear Santa, How are things up there at the North Pole? I'm not exactly sure whether your home is in the old North West Territories, in the new Territory of Nunavut, or in international (frozen) waters. Ei- ther way, I'm sure that you, Mrs. Claus and the Elves will be burning midnight oil these days, because you must be as busy as ever. I hope you're not too busy to look at my wish list, though. This Christmas 1 don't want any material things. Nothing that might eventually end up on our garage sale table. Elizabeth usu- ally sees to it that I have some clothes to wear, and the kids might get me the books I want. There's no need for you to stand in line at Eaton's or W.H. Smith's. Instead, you would make me very happy if you could work a few international, national and local miracles for me. If you won't manage them all by Christmas Day, I'll understand. Some of them can wait till Janu- ary Here they are: 1. Peace on earth. For a stout fellow who can climb down eve- ry single chimney in the world on the same night, it should be easy to accgrnpiish this. I'd like you to collect all firearms, am- munition and oilier lethal weap- ons in all countries and melt them down. This should include everything from fighter aircraft, tanks, howizers and assault ri- fles right down to shotguns and rivolvers. Get rid of them all. Peter's Point • Peter Helsel And then plant the spirit of love into the hearts of people every- where on this planet. Once and for all. 2. Feed and hungry. Maybe the Elves will have to work overtime for this one. Please, put your computers to work and figure out a way of distributing the world's food resources. Get rid of starvation in Africa and of grain surpluses in North Ameri- ca. There is plenty of food to nourish us all. It just has to be grown in the right places and stopped to the right places. It's only a transponadon and money problem. You have the magic sleigh: put it too world Please! 3. Wipe out ignoranoe. This may prove to be the most diffi- tcult of your oJltths. But ft chap who can steer a sleigh puled by reindeer through the sky should have the power to. do it. I trust you to teach everyone to road and write. In other words, get rid of illiteracy. But there is another form of ig- norance that takes its toll among the human race. Please, Santa, open people's minds to the hu- manity of others. Take away their hatred of those they call their enemies, their fear of those they call foreigners, their bigotry against those they perceive as different, and their discrimina- tion against those they simply dislike. Make all mankind see the light. Once and for all. 4. Pave the Sth Line between Robertson's Comers and the Ste- wartville bridge. I don't care very much about the old Temp any more. It's as battered now" as it'll ever get. But what with the dust and the gravel flying up and the ruts and the holes in the road, our new van is taking an awful beating. So Santa, when you've accom- plished the first three tasks - and only then -- will you please do me that one personal little fa- vour? What's a little bit of grave! and tar for a fellow who mover mountains of gifts year after year? And please, Santa, keep the pavement in good repair! Once and for all. I'd be ever so much obliged if you, Mrs. Claus and the Elven would work all these miracle$` AS.AP. Because if you won't who will? Merry Christmas to you silt Sincerely Yours, Peter