HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1998-12-23, Page 6Exeter Times -Advocate
m i;, Editorial&Opinion
Wednesday, December 23, 1998
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Pti L K ATlt)Ns MAIL REGLSTRAT1ON NUMBER 07511
Jim Beckett
Publisher and Editor
Don Smith
General Manager Production Manager
Deb Lord
Published by J.W. Eedy Publications Limited
424 Main Street South. P.U. Box 850
Exeter. Ontario NOM 1S6 • (519) 235-1331
EDITORIAL
A Christmas message
by Elly Van Bergen,
MINISTER. ‘'ARBA GOSHEN l "`:(TED CNURCH
The Nativity scene is one of the most familiar
images of Christmas. As far back as I can
remember our Nativity set was the first, and
early years, the only Christmas decoration put .up in
our home. As a child. I loved those fragile pieces that
were packed away so carefully all year, to be brought •
out at Christmas. I remember the first year that 1 was
allowed to set up the Nativity scene, I spent hours
constructing a stable out of a cardboard box, careful-
ly fashioning the roof peak .to hang the angel who
holds the banner: 'Gloria in Excelsis Deo.'•
At one time some aspect of the Nativity scene was themost
common thing to find on a C`tristmas card. Every school play,
or Sunday school concert, had its moment when shepherds
dressed in bath robes, .wisemen with foil crowns, a chorus of
tiny angels with tinsel halos and wings that wouldn't stay in
' , e, would gather around a young Mary and Joseph and
at a little bundle laying in a straw filled miniature
iiger.
i here is a feeling of warmth and peace to that scene. - a
scene that to many people summarizes the essence•of
Christmas. •
In the birth of Christ - so publicly portrayed by the Nativity
scene, we see poor shepherds, who must be separated from
their families by the demands of their ill paid work, being
specially invited by angels to see the new-born Messiah, We
see them in the warmth o1' the candle lit stable to be the first
to discover God's gift of a child of great promise.
We see too, wise men from far away, men who in their
wealth and wisdom realize that there is something more,
something greater. We see them find the king that they seek,
and kneel in awe before him - though he is but a baby.
We see Joseph, a village carpenter, a man who works hard
for a living, a man of integrity, who struggles to do what is
right by the girl he loves.
And we see Mary herself, a simple girl, radiant in her moth-
erhood,- and like all mothers she will tuck into her heart all
the things that are said to her about her child.
Who cannot be moved? Who cannot see themselves there in
that scene - and wonder'! 1
• There. is tremendous power in the nativity scene, a power
that cannot be overcome by the sounds of war, fear, hatred or
• greed. A power that cannot be quenched by a million adver-
tisements, by icicle lights, by wrap and glitter, nor by those
desperately seeking happiness in more wealth and luxury. It
is the power of the ordinary, of the, humble. - •
Christmas bears W us the gifts of God in ordinary, humble,'
simple ways.
May the peace. and .the hope and the wonder of the Nativity
be yours at this time and always, Merry Christmas.
I'
I
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M
•
t was the week before Christmas
and all through the town.
People were busy shopping around.
They were pushing and shoving not giv-
ing a care:
The true meaning of Christmas was no
longer there. -
No one remembered the babe in the sta-
ble.
All they were thinking about were their -
shows on cable.
No one cared about the shepherd or
wise rnen who followed the star.
Their minds were on the presents they
had bought so far.
So stop for a moment and Think tidally
Ilar& -
Is there soniething more Important than
presents or money in a card. ' -
'1'he true meaning of Christmas Is stilt
here somewhere.
Is it under the tree 'or is it hidden • over
there.
No it's not under a tree or. in shopping
Carts.
The true meaning of Christmas is right
here in our hearts..
WIur1'I N BY 13REI ANY JANKIi ANI) MUM
`;ti,; Zurich Public School
•�..�''� Marcia Melick
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