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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1972-12-14, Page 25A FROM THE • We who have become ac- customed to a calendar for which the birth of Christ is of central importance, have need to be reminded that this method of reckoning time is not universally accepted with equal significarnce. For the Christian, `this is A.D. 1972,.bit for the Moslem, it is A.H. 1388, the starting point being the year of the "Hegira", or the flight of • 'Mohammed from Mecca to -~ Medina. Some uniform system is necessary for, the reckoning of time. The logical choice would be to reckon time from the original of the world, but since such time of origin rernains uriknown, some -other- method` must be adopted - some point which, for us, is the center of history, and we date events as taking place so many years before or after that date. The use of "B. C. " and "A. D. " is the product .of a -tremendous decisior. - the decision to judge all history in relation to the coming of Christ into the world. His advent was the turning point in human affairs, and from that point life took on a different quality. There is a' common ex- pression used of men whose business it is to deal in "specifics." Such men are said to "go to the heart of things". God, the Eternal Father; deals in "specifics". "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto. Himself", sowrites Paul in 2 Cor. 5:18-19. Canthere be found anything,anywhere, anytime more specific than that? The whole Advent story, it in all of its detail, is set in the context of "specifics." If God was in Christ in that manger; if Divinity • took form in that manger; if "The Word became fleslf' in that manger, there can be ' but one ex- ' planation - "This is the Lord's doing and •it is marvellous in our.eyes". (Ps. 118:23) As we approach the Advent Season again, We should remind ourselves that there is a great difference between "ob- serving" Christmas and "ex- pei:ilencing" Christmas. We catii?iot Areae 'oitr hearts ?t" thr proper observance' of ' Christmas apart from the spiritual experience of Christ- their task". .• ti MINISTER'S STUDY by Rev.. R.C.. McCallum Knox Presbyterian Churc h I TO mas, The Christmas experience is not something to be worked up by the enthusiasm and the diligence 'with which we prepare for the Season's ac- tivities, as good as these . may be. It is rather something .we can have only through God's help and inspiration. We can- not manufacture the Christmas spirit for ourselves. It is derived from somewhere; there is a Source from which it flows, and that Source is God. It is His gift and must be received; it cannot be achieved; nor can it be either conceived or received in a vacuum. It is bound up with h umbl,e shepherds, wise men,- a star, angels., a song", and, best of -'all a helpless Babe, God's love gift to the world. We all have need to experience what Phillips 'Brooks appealed for in his great Advent hymn, "0 Holy Child of Bethlehem, be born in us to -day", At His Advent,,, the Nativity records declare that "some wondered" 'and others "pon- dered" (weighed) these things in their hearts Without question, His Advent was, and is, the greatest thing that ever happened; BUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO IT? Is the focus of our attention directed to a "Babe in a manger" or to "a partridge in a pear tree"? Here, indeed, is cause to "won- der" and "ponder". Are com- mercials more important than carols? Does' the message of what man has to sell take precedence over what God has to give? If such questions are answered in the affirmative, it' is little wonder that Christmas is "here to -day and gone to= morrow". It is like the house built upon tie sand, ,.lacking foundation, and is carried away by the next tidal wave of spen- ding usually ,.the January sales. Nevertheless "Jesus Christ is the very Centre of'the universe with no cre entials' but Himself". The 'Unique Christ has left to us sl unique and continuing influence. It has been observed that "if we were to take out of our culture all that derives from the Christ of Bethlehem, what, we 'should left would resemble some Coventry, or Cologne after the dive bombers, glad completed T. PRYDE & SON CLINTON—EXETER—SEAFORTH—G O DERICH. Memorials -Cemetery Markers and Lettering Frank Mcllwain 200 Gibbons St. 524-9465 This Christrnas Give the fejt from Bainton's IT COSTS SO LITTLE MORE TO GIVE A GIFT WITH THAT PECIAL QUALITY ONLY NTbN'S OFFER. ladies men's garments garments Suedes and leathers Fur trims -all lengths n All season coats with zip -in linings For sports wear Jean jackets Pant suits YARN S — Fur trimmed — Shearling coats — Full length dress coats — Car coats, 'sports', jackets — Wind breakers — Leather vests and shearling vest. Wheeling 4 oz. skeins and Botany 2 oz. skeins. F-Ic 1..T y,n y., y ..• SPECIALS Hand-woven ties and,.. scarf and beret sets. Fur mitts and hat sets. - If we aref to receive the facts that make for appreciation of this "Event from Eternity",,we must put ourselves in contact, with them. When the author, Anatole France, set out to write a "book, 'he changed the decorations in his home, For his work on Joan of Arc, he hung on his' walls beautiful Tapestries' of 15th century France, thus creating ,an , at- mosphere expressive of the period Currently engaging his thoughts. So if we would truly benefit from this approaching „ Advent season, we must expose ourselves to` those truths that would bring Christ nigh, and make Him to beceme theCerr- tral Fact and Figure in our celebrations. We benefit greatly ,'when we hang on the walls of the chambers of.our minds and hearts the incomparable tapestries of the Nativity. Then high yearnings will come welling and surging into our hearts from that "Mystic ocean whose outer rim no man hath trod". The Unspeakable Gift of God is the Divine Response to human longing, for 'the prophecy made so long ago, has been fulfilled, "this Desire of Nations is some". The kings and great men of the world, and even Scribes -and' Pharisees, learned in religious lore, did not know when% that first Christmas dawned. Their hearts were foreign to . the spirit of the Great Event, for they were hard and selfish and self- centered. They did not hear the angels sing, nor did they see the star in the sky. Living within such a short distande'of the scene of the world's greatest wonder, they knew nothing of , it. Is it still true ' to -day? Yet always, from age to age, the star shines and the angels sing to "guide our feet into the way of •peace, bringing `tidings of great joy'.", "The real Christmas . is something out of this world because Someone out of this world has come to this world. God has spoken in time past through His prophets, but in. ,these last times "He has spo; er,l ;.;,, unto us by His Son", His most effective language. Goderich FRENCH Dry Cleaners 35 WEST ST. 524-8452 See this beautiful, soft -blue 'capeskin Dior -length coat with Spanish lamb collar in ' -our showroorn,.---_w Factory Outlet in Blyth ,BLANK ETS Glen Laine satin -bound and whipped edge blankets were awarded the international WWI Mark for Quality.' Only at Bala. ton's Old Mill will you find such' luxurious quality made from our own selected super wools. "' SPORT GLOVES and MITT S — Driving gloves — Golf lovat a blI— Ski awes Mitts nd lttr :dam•. 0. ZAt Otietts'. Ma Or41 Zia 24.'14 WO: It$r 201.4 OPEN 9-6 Monday thru Thursday 9'.9 Friday and Saturday Qty, .,,,At•. y,a tti � , R W. THE SHEPHERDS ARE TOLD OF A SAVIOR From THE LIVING BIBLE e Rf[¢li`ilf#if 11 LUKE 2:8-17 "That night some shepherds were. in the fields out- side the village guarding their flocks of sheep. Sud. denly an angel appeared among -Ahem, and the land- scape shonebright with the glory of the Lord. They were badly frightened, but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring 'you the most - joyful news ever announced, and it. is for everyone! The Savior --yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has 'been born tonight . in Bethlehem! How will you recognise him ?. You'll find a baby wrapped in a blanket lying in a manger!" Suddenly, the angel' was, joined by a vast host of otliers—the armies of heaven—praising God "Glory to God in the highest heaven," they sang, "and peace on earth for all those pleasing him." When this great army of angels had returned again to he,iven, ,the shepherds said to .each other, "Come on! Let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful. thing that has ha`iliened,' which the Lord has told us about.” They ran to the village and found their way to Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in. the manger. The shepherds told eyervne what had.,-hap- pened ad ; hap- pened and what the angel }reset .said- to them about this gild. Illustrations from TAYLOR'S BIBLE STORY BOOK ItRIDGE KAPERS Mrs. Joe Courtoeg 529-7109 1. HOLD BINGO Bingo! This was the exuberant cry heard in St. •Joseph's Parish Hall on. Friday evening, December 8, at the An- nual Christmas turkey bingo. Winners of the ten turkeys were: Miss Laurie Doherty, Mrs. Walter Clare, Miss Mary Luanne Clare, Henry Van Dyke, Raymond Hogan, Antnne Van Osch, Desmond Courtney,, Bill Van, Osch, Mr:;. Dorothy Brown, Mrs. Clarence i Doherty. Share the Wealth Winners were; Clarence Doherty with Consolation to Miss Laurie Doherty; Miss Donna Frayne: Eric Drennan. Mrs. Marj Sharpe of Clinton was the winner of the door prize. SOCIAL ITEMS Congratulations to John Wallace who celebrated his. 87th birthday on Sunday, December 10th. Mr. Lorne Luther,, director of District 5, Terry Dalton and Lorne MacDonald' of Local 335 of the, National Farmers Union--rmotored to London on -_Sunday. and. ;Crave.) A-' to -Winnipeg where they will at- tend the 3rd Annual Conven- tion of the National Farmers 'Union which is taking place in Winnipeg Monday, December 11 to Friday December 15. Mr. and Mrs, Peter Martin and son of Glamis spent the --weekend-at-the' home orMr. and Mrs. Mark Dolton, Mr. and Mrs. Cletus Dalton and Raymond Dalton visited on Sunday with Raymond's sister, Mrs, Josie.,Cleary and family in Wallaceburg. Several ladies from this area , attended the Tupperware party held at the home of Mrs. Cletus Dalton on Tuesday evening' December 5. - Mrs, Dorothy Moore and Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Schindler (Mary Martha Moore) of Marine City;` Michigan are spending a few days ' with the O'Neil • families. Clem Steffler, principal of St. Joseph's school, Kingsbridge, is able to be back after having an operation on his 'back in Vic- toria Hospital, London, on NoviOnber 9. Welcome back! ') Your gift, the united way, gFieings hope to the troubled, the • • aged, the abandoned. Give today, and give generously. Maiy Iive alone in this country . GOD More° than 800,000 Canadians were' 'living alone last -year, in their own: self- contained dwelling • Units, Statistics Canada. reported today in a .publication describing household and familycharacteristics obtained - from the 1971 Census of Population and Housing: The figure, which does not include roomers or boarders in private homes, lodging houses oi• institutions, represented 13.4' ,per cent of the six million households and nearly four per cent of,:the total population. In . 1966. there were about 590,000 once -person households (11.4 per cent of total households)mand in 1961, fewer than 425,000 t9.3 "per cent of all households). The 1971 census identified five million families in the population. Thirty per cent of them had no children under 25 living at home. At the other ex- treme, about one per cent (47,550 families) had eight or more. Families with one, two or three children accounted for just over 55 per cent of all families and the balance had four to seven children living at home. Newfoundland had the biggest proportion of families with eight or more children. More than 4,300 families, or four per cent of the provincial' total, were in this category. At the same time, Newfoundland had the ' lowest proportion of one-person households -- not quite si'x `per cent, or less than half the national average. .. The average number of children per family in Canada declined.. to 1.7 in 1971, com- pared with 1.9'in both 1961 and 1966. Families in the Atlantic Provinces and Quebec were larger than in any other region �f the country except Yukon and the Northwest Territories, averaging 1.9 children per family, down from the average of 2.2 reported in 1961 and 1966. Ontario and the four " "western provinces each repor- ted the same average number of children as in 1961, but slightly below 1966. The figures ranged from 1.8 per family in Alberta and Saskatchewan to 1.6 in Ontario and British Columbia. SUNDAY'' ifcs— SERVICES FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH (Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec) MONTREAL STREET near The Square REV. W. H. McWHINNIE F.R.G.S. Organist: Mr,. Frank Bissett 10:00' a.m.—Sunday School 11:15 a.m.—Morning Worship "CHRISTMAS IS. CHRISTT"' 'Meditation on the Advent' Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.—Baptist Youth Crusaders This Church has. an Evangelistic and Missionary Vision. COME AND WORSHIP, WITH US WESLEY MEMORIAL CHURCH T+IE FREE METHODIST CHURCH Park St. at Victoria H. ROSS NICHOLLS, Pastor 10 a.m.—Sunday School 11:00 a.m.—Worship 7:00 p.m.—Evening Service WELCOME CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH BAYFIELD ROAD AT BLAKE STREET EVANGELISTIC FUNDAMENTAL REV. R. BRUBACHER, Pastor Church 524-6445 Residence 524-9497 10:00 a.m.—Bible School Free Bus Service 11:00 a.m.—Sermon "THE POWER, OF GOD AT V QRS,"!,__ 6:30 p.m.—Y.P.—"Word of Life Club" 7:30 p.m.—Evening, Service Wed., 8 p.m.—Prayer Meeting and -Bible Study WELCOME TO THE FRIENDLY CHURCH CuT Knox Presbyterian 'Church T REV. G. LOCKHART ROYAL, ILA., Minister T REV. DONALD C. MCCALLUM, Assistant WILLIAM M. CAMERON, Director'of Praise SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17,' 1912 10:00 a.m.,--Sunday School • 11:00 a.m.--Divine, Worship Sermon: ANI4IAL ADVENT SERMON SERIES: (3) "A PROMISE IS NIGH" (Nursery and Junior Congregation) * * * CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE * 8:00 p.m.—CGIT Vesper Service 8:45 p.m.—Young People's Society int fr to Worship * * Tart to • erve RICH ;SZCN4.LrSTAR. THUi $DA.Y. DECE1 BFiR I' 1012 TO THE E AREWEtF' Y,►, rouath; fcalh th►aa�lrh tth« �aNx ,I thi,rh4�t4ovu: d0ttt. stat fir;? evil. far Thou w't with fi Ord Fs* MRS, MARGARET JANE MUGFQRD Mrs. Margaret Jane Mugford of ,Goderich Township died Friday, December 8 in Alexan- dra -Marine and „General 'Hospital following a brief illness.'She was 96. The former Margaret Jane Hornby, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Sarah (White) Hornby, Colborne Township, and was born May 23, t876. She had been a resident of Colborne Township until moving to Goderich Township 42 years ago. She wase h a member of Vic- toria Street" United Chu'rch.- " Her husband, Frederick Mugford, predeceased her in 1943. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. W.L. (Nellie) Hewitt, North Bay, and,, Mrs. Bruce (Laura) Grigg, Goderich Town- ship; five grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Funeral service was onday, December 11 at .Mc Ilum Funeral . Horde with., Rev, Leonard Warr .officiating,. Interment was in :Maitland Cemetery. Pallbearers, were Kenneth "Grigg, ' .Allan Grigg, , Ted Grigg and James Hewitt,. all grandsons .4f the deceased, A community that supports its health and welfare agencies makes a wise -investment in its future. Give the united .way. In- vest in your future and --the future of our community, WIL.IAMS E •...ERY MEM ORIALS And Inscriptions Stratford - Ontario Bob McCallum. " Representative 65 Montreal St., Goderich Phone 524-7345 SONDAY DEC. 17 The'Cook Family OF Brantford will sing Rev. Cleve Winger will speak WESTFIELD FELLOWSHIP HOUR 2:00 p.m. HURON MEN'S CHAPEL, AUBURN. 8:00 p.m. "Wise Men Still Seek Him" • EVIL PREVAILS WHEN GOOD MEN DO NOTHING COME TO A GROWING SUNDAY SCHOOL. IF YOU NEED A RIDE, WE HAVE • A BUS. Bethel Pentecostal Tabernacle Affiliated with the P'antecostal Assemblies of Canada CORNER OF ELGIN AND WATERLOO STS. REV. PETER' G. ST. DON, Pastor "Special: Friday night, 7:45 is our Sunday School Christmas Concert, Comm. and be .our guest!!" SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1972 10:00 a.m.-tSUNDAY SCHOOL 11:00 a.m.—WORSHIP SERVICE 7:00 p.m. --EVENING SERVICE Tuesday, 8:00 p.m.—Bible Study and Prayer Friday 8:00 p.M. Youth Night For further information about church services call 524-8506. "If God is your partner, make your plans big." J ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH December 17 ADVENT Ili Holy Communion at 8:30 a.m. Holy Communion at 11 a.m. Sunday School and Nursery at 11 a.m. Parish Christmas Pot Luck Supper and Concert at 5 p.m. All Welcome • Wed., Dec. 20 Holy Communion at 7 p.m. (Chapel) Organist -Choirmaster: Mr. Paul C. Baker F.R.C.O., L.R.A.M., A.R.C.M. Rector: The Rev. G.G. Russell, B.A., B.D. Victoria Street' Unfred'ChrcIr. HOUSE OF FRIENDSHIP " REV. LEONARD WARR 10:00 a.m.--Bible School For All Grades 11:00 a.m.—Worship Service Sermon: "THE GREAT RESCUE" BENMILLER UNITED CHURCH ileililmrimmumerganssmsamorturnesixtmesoutala 1:30 p.m. Worship Service and Bible School 8 p.m. ---CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT MUSICAL 1N•—E---:L---C--O--M--kE North Street United Church REV. ROBERT L. RAYMONT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1972 10:15 a.m.—All Sunday 'School 11:00 a.m.—Family Worship "WHITE GIPt SUNDAY" Sermon: "WHAT IS alb ,GIFT?" W44. -04544•E 'Write H. Dotteret ;* Diractpr dt Musla Mistt Clare McGthvanMAttslaitraflt Visitor