HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-12-20, Page 4a
PAGE 4 —GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1979
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DEAR
RE»• DERS
BYGSHIRLEY J.KELLER
Merry Christmas, dear readers. This
is my tenth Christmas with you and a
kind of milestone, d'en't you think?
Traditionally, . this column at
Christmas tells a little bit about the
Keller family Christmas, and this year
is no different. The one year I deviated
from this practice, readers let me know
they missed it. Who knows why?
Things aren't going to be quite the
same this year ... fora few reasons.
The biggest reason, of course, 'is -the
fact that our eldest son and his wife are
in Hawaii this year with Val's parents.
They left December 12 for three
glorious weeks of sunning and sailing
and we're all really happy for them.
Looking out the window this morning at
snow and ice, I'm almost wishing I was
with them.
We trimmed the tree yesterday at
our house. You know, the Keller tree
certainly isn't among the finest dressed
at Christmas, but it does hold the most
memories. Like the green and red
paper chain that Jim made when he
was four. And the Christmas bird (now
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without a tail) that is Lori's special
ornament. And the candle. It was the
first Christmas gift that Randy bought
for me, and while it has long since lost
its glitter, it goes every year on the
family tree.
This year, the candle- has a special
place of honor. Somehow it makes
Randy and Val seem closer. But it
brought a tear or two when we were
reminded by the candle that Son No.
One won't be home this year at
Christmas for the very first time.
There's the two old ornaments from
the trees at home when I was a child.
There s a lovely pink ornament that
our neighbor, Grace Hall, made for' us
one year when we still lived on Victoria
Street. (It always holds a place of
honor) .
There's the first ornaments my
husband and I bought after we were
married. There's one sample left of the
ultra modern ornaments we bought the
year we went 'mod' with a silver tree.
There's the beaded cross and the
beaded star - two family favorites
because they remind us of the Christ
Child Last year, we bought a new
angel for the very top of the tree. It's
our latest acquisition, and probably the
shiniest.
Every year as we decorate the tree,
we recite the history of the ornaments.
That's half the fun. Remembering.
Christmas Eve will be our annual
children's program at Berea -By -The -
Water Lutheran Church and just about
the whole Keller clan is involved in
that.
Christmas Day will be our annual
Christmas service at church in th.,
morning and of course, the annual
Christmas dinner later. We're still
trying to decide the menu. Last year,
we started a new tradition by bar-
becuing our Christmas dinner. Maybe
this year we'll continue that special
feature ... although it is a bit harder
than usual on father.
We leave our gift opening until well
after the church services are all over.
We started that last year too, because
we like it to be a relaxed, uninterrupted
family time that just goes on and on
and on. We open one gift at a time. That
way, everybody gets to see
everybody's reaction. It's twice the
enjoyment •
Boxing Day we are going to Gran-
dma's Christmas in Dashwood. The
family is still growing, with more
members getting married and having
children. What a commotion.
And besides that, most of Grandma's
brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law and
sisters-in-law, come to our Christmas
now. It's a marvellous way for the
grandchildren and great grandchildren
to get to know the extended family.
We're lucky this year. We're going to
have a second Christmas on January 6 -
Epiphany or Little Christmas. Randy
and Val will be home again, God
willing, and we're going to celebrate all
over again. Nice touch eh?
Have a wonderful Christmas this
year, dear readers. If it's a family
Christmas, you're blessed, If it's a
family CHRISTmas, you're doubly
blessed.
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A Christmas Heart
It was such a cold night
that David's fingers were
stinging inside his warm
mittens. It was a long
walk to the church and
his mother and father
were too busy to drive
him there.
'Why did I say I would
' ring the bell this
Christmas Eve?" thought
David" as he trudged -
through the crisp white
snow. "Why didn't I
remember that Christ-
mas Eve would be lots of
fun at home, trimming
the tree and watching all
the gifts pile up around
it?"
David kicked at a
chunk of ice that had been
thrown onto the roadway
by a passing car. He
shoved hishands deeper
into his jacket pocket and
hunched his shoulders so
that his chin was down
inside his collar. It was
beginning to snow.
As David got closer to
the church, he could see
the lights of the cars as
they pulled up to the door Everyone here looked so
to drop off worshippers. funny.
He could hear the chatter "What's wrong
of happy people as they David?" asked the soft
hurried along the street voice. "Why are you
to the service. But he laughing?"
wasn't cheered. "Because the people
"Dad's probably here are all 'wearing
putting the star on the top masks," laughed David.
of the tree right this "Look at that one. He
minute," thought David, looks like an angry
his face sad. The fire monster. And over there.
will be going nice and See that lady with the
bright, and mom will be green face? And there's
getting out „the cookies somebody wearing a sad
and the punch. And here I face just like the clown in
am on my way to the circus I saw this
Christmas Eve service. summer.".
It'll be nearly two hours "Those aren't masks
before I get home to have David," said the voice.
any fun." "Indeed not. Those are'
"What's that you're real faces, but what you
thinking David?" asked a are seeing is their in -
soft voice. ner most thoughts
David- spun-a-round—l=ie— rn irrored on their faces."
looked behind him and in "You mean that man
front of him. He looked really is an angry
,beside him and under monster?" asked David;
him. hardly believing his ears
"You can't see me, and his eyes.
David," the soft voice "No, but he's full of
continued. "But I'm all bitterness and hatred for
around you. Did I hear people, he's grown mean
you think y"would and cruel", explained the
rather be `t home voice. "He thinks he's
trimming the tree than covering up his real
going to .. church' this thoughts, David, and for
Christmas Eve?" the people around him, he
David stopped walking. is. But"`I'm showing you
His eyes were wide with what is really in that
wonder and his mouth man's heart. He can't fool
was a gaping hole in his us, David, for we can look
face. past the •smiling ex -
"Come with . me, terior."
David," the soft voice "What about that lady
implored. with the green face?"
And suddenly, David asked David. "What's her
felt himself being problem?"
propelled along the "Green is the color of
street, away from the jealousy," said the voice.
church. "She's so greedy she is
Without any warning at miserable. She wants just
all, David was inside a what everyone else has.
big banquet. hall, The She never has enough. -
walls 'were lined with She's selfish and only
hungry people, and the shares when there • is
tables were heaped with something in it for her."
food. There was gay "Why is that person so
music coming from an sad?" asked David.
orchestra seated high in "Look. The tears are
the balcony. Candles flowing down his
flickered in the corners, cheeks.''
tinsel hung from the "He's lonely and he's
rafters and a beautiful frightened," said the
Christmas tree stood in voice. "There's all these
the corner. people around him, but
David smiled. Then his still he feels all alone.
smile became a grin and That's a common ailment
soon he started to in today's world."
chuckle. His chuckle David began to take
became a hearty laugh. more notice of the faces.
He could see rrpre of
mankind's troubles
mirrored there - anxiety,
grief, pride, lust, im-
patience. It was very sad.
"I want to leave here,"
said David, turning
away.
"Good," said the voice.
"Come with me."
As quick as a flash,
David was sitting in the
midst of his own family.
"Mom," cried David,
as he saw her harried
face for the very first
time. It was easy for
David to see just how
weary his mother was,
and he could tell she was
thinking ahead to
tomorrow when she
would have to be up early
to cook a big dinner, to
tidy the house after the
gifts were all opened and
to entertain all the guests
she would have
throughout the entire
day. How would she get
through it, she was
thinking.
And helping to trim the
tree was David's sister.
Was her face green?
David saw her selfishness
and he could telli it was
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75 YEARS AGO
The principal's report
for November was filed
at the regular monthly
meeting of the Public
School Board on Monday.
It showed 443 children on
roll with an average
attendance of 374. ,
A meeting for the re-
organization of the
hockey club for the
present season will be
held at the West Street
rink on Saturday.
Indications point to a
lively municipal contest
in Goderich for the
council of 1905. Messrs.
G.M. Elliott and Thomas
Tilt are out for the
mayoralty.
The Star is making
exten ive improvements
in th plant in order to
cope i with increasing
business. Last week the
LOOKING BACK
contract was signed for a
modern two -revolution
Hoe Press, which will run
into the price or'a farm
but is one of the best
machines to be found
anywhere.
At the conclusion of the
County Council
proceedings last week
there was a parting good-
bye. Warden Bowman
and James Connolly will
not seek re-election.
25 YEARS AGO •
Two wheelchairs and 10. -
rest chairs were
presented to Alexandra
Marine and General
Hospital last Thursday
night by the Cancer, Polio
and Tuberculosis com-
mittee of the Goderich
Rebekah and IOOF
Lodges. At the presen-
tation Ceremony, J.14.h
Kinkead, chairman of the
Hospital Board, an-
nounced that an architect
had been engaged to
draw plans for an
proposed addition to the
hospital.
Goderich Elevator and
Transit Company
Limited has awarded a
contract to Ellis -Don
Limited, London for
erection of a new office
building to permit better
trucking delivery ser-
vice.
Goderich's highest fire
loss in four years --$80,000- •
-was reported to town
council last Friday night.
This was the largest loss`
since 1950 when Knox
Presbyterian Church was
razed at a loss estimate of
$300,000.
The Dominion Road
Machinery Company
Limited is gearing for top
level production in 1955
with one large order
already in and others
expected.
Mayor J.E. Huckins
and Town Solicitor J.K.
Hunter were authorized
by• town council last
Friday night to arrange
an interview with the
Ontario Department of
Municipal Affairs to
straighten out the trailer
by-law situation here.
5 YEARS AGO
Snowinobilers feeling
slighted by recent
legislation curbing their
activities can take heart
in the establishment of
the Colborne Snowmobile
Club.,
The Huron County
Board of Educaltion will
express its concern to the
town. Over a proposal to
widen Bayfield Road in
Goderich. jrustees are
concerned about the
safety -of school children
crossing that road.
BillR Clifford • will lie
deputy -reeve of Goderich
following the result of a
recount of the ballots
Wednesday. Mr. Clifford
polled 1,377 votes to 1,354
for Eileen Palmer.
Wilfred Shortreed of
Walton was named
chairman of the Huron
County Bdard of
Education at their
meeting in Clinton last
Monday.
Brick by brick Victoria
Public School is being
torn down and stacked
int? piles. Several classes
remain in portable
classrooms while
demolition continues. ,
new figure skates she'd
been wanting. It wasn'
even big enough to hold
that pretty blue blazer
she'd ,shown mom in the
store window.
David's big brother
was putting the last bit of
tinsel on the boughs
•behind the fireplace. His
facie„ was just red with
anger. And David could
'tell he was anxious to get
out of the house to be with
his friend who were
having 'a get-together at
Joe's place. All the kids
would be there, and there
would be music and
dancing until Christmas
morning dawned But
here he was, stuck at
home with mom, dad and
the kids.
Dad--w-as sitting by the
fireplace, puffing away
on his pipe. But. David
was frightened to see the
worry and anguish
written all over Dad's
face. Dad was concerned
about the bills that were
mounting up this
Christmas - he had told
his wife they •really
shouldn't buy both the
figure skates and the
blazer for their
ungrateful daughter,
even though she had
wanted them so much.
But mom had pleaded
with him, and so both
gifts were stashed away
in the closet as a special
surprise for that silly girl
who was so hard to please
when it „ came to
Christmas presents.
And he was worried
about his eldest son. That
crowd he was running
with - was just plain bad
news. Wouldn't you think
that at Christmas at
least, they would have
homes to go to and,
families to be with?
And why had his wife
invited all those people
for dinner tomorrow?
Why hadn't she kept
Christmas simple just
this once, so she could ,
enjoy the day along with
everybody else?
Christmas was no e'n-.
joyment for him with her
running the whole day
through making - her
guests over -comfortable
and keeping them over-
fed.?
David's eyes fell to the
floor.
"Who are you?" David
asked the voice.
"I am the Heart of
Christmas," the voice
said smoothly and
quietly. "I come to earth
ust once a year, at t
Christmas -time, to
examine the hearts of where the organist sat
t people. I can tell when the engrossed in his work:
true Christmas Spirit has His face was shining and
entered a person's heart - happy, and David could
and when a person is only tell his only thought was
pretending." to give his best talents
"I wish you hadn't through his music this
shown me what you see," Christmas Eve.
answered David dejec- "0 Come All Ye Faith-
tedly. "I didn't know ful." The congregation
people are like this. I was standing now, to
didn't know my mom and meet the processional of
dad weren't enjoying young children as it made
Christmas. I didn't know its way to the front pews
my sister was greedy and of the church.
my brother was bored at "Joyful and Trium-
our house, even at phant." David studied the
Christmas." • faces of the people who
"And what about you, were in church. Here and
David?" asked the voice. there he could see sad or
"Weren't you wishing you angry faces, worried or
were someplace else,' frightened faces. But
having more fun?" most of the faces
"Yes," admitted -David mirrored happiness and
slowly. contentment and real joy.
"Come with me, "Come Ye,,0 Come Ye,
David," said the voice. To Bethlehem". The
"We have one more stop minister approached the
to make before I leave altar and turned toward
you." the congregation. His
Immediately, David face was positively
found himself at the exuberant. David could,
church door. Mrs. tell his heart was over -
Cranston, the old lady flowing with the peace of
who • walked with two the Christ Child.
canes, grabbed his hand "Come and Behold Him
as he entered the Born the King of Angels."
building. There was Mrs. Cran-
"Merry Christmas, ston, singing as though
David," she smiled, and she hadn't a pain or a
her face was radiant, problem in the world.
"I'm so happy to see you. And she was still
Are you going to ring the . beaming, only now David
bells tonight? I love to Could tell she was deeply
hear the Christmas moved by the sound of all
bells." the voices and the organ
"Yes, Mrs. Cranston," around her.
David replied politely. At last it was David's
His eyes were fixed on turn. He grabbed the bell
her glowing face. Thererope and pulled hard.
was no ugly mask there. "Oh Come Let Us
"The bells are so joyful Adore Him." The big bell
at Christmas," went on in the belfry pealed
Mrs. Cranston excitedly. loudly and David's face
"They draw everyone's broke into a beautiful
attention away from their smile.
sadness and greed and "Oh Come Let Us
pain and worries. And
they help people see the
truth about Christmas.
They help people un-
derstand that Jesus
Christ was the first
Christmas gift and the
only Christmas gift - we
really need. One gift, one
time. A Saviour."
"Yes, Mrs. Cranston,"
David said, his mind
whirling with many
things.
"David, come along,"
said the voice, drawing
David to the. bell loft at
the back of the church.
"The service will soon be
starting."
As he climbed the
stairs to the belfry, David
could hear the organ
music. He peaked
hrough the great pipes
down into the organ
Adore Him." The bell
was really ringing now
and David's young heart
was Ieaping with joy in
time with the clanging.
"Oh Come -Let Us
Adore Him, Christ The
Lord." Tears of thank-
fulness streamed down
David's cheeks, for now
he knew what Christmas
was. It was the birthday
of The Christ, The Holy
One, Very God of Very
God.
As the music died away
and the congregation
settled down in their
seats for the service, the
voice spoke.
"I'm leaving you now,
David," it said. "I can
see you have a new un-
derstanding of Christ -
Turn to,page 5 •
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