The Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-12-22, Page 1Gaeder ich
SPECIAL HOLIDAY GREETINGS SECTION
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1987
Saint Fr
The Italian sunshine was warm
and bright as Saint Francis
walked in the woods near the
village of Greccio. The years
was 1223 and the month of December.
Saint Francis moved slowly, head bow-
ed. "It's almost here, 11 Natale, the birth
of Jesus, the season of goodwill. But the
people here in Greccio seem to have
forgotten Jesus. They constantly hurt
each other by their cruel and selfish
ways. If pnly I could help them think
about that first Christmas night and
about the baby Jesus, who, when he
became a man, went about doing good."
Saint Francis continued to ponder as he
walked. Then be stopped suddenly, a
light glowing in his eyes. "I know! I
know what I can do!"
Withhat he quickened his steps until
he reached the home of his friend,
Giovanni, to whom he unfolded his plan.
Giovanni was enthusiastic, too.
If you had been in the Greccio Woods
the next afterneon, you would have seen
ion Gio ' se ants mak-
A
cis and the Christmas story
Upon entering the cave,
they stood transfixed
with awe and wonder.
111.3611MOSEMEMIIIIMISIMINERNEMITIEM:
ing their way to the big cave. Some car-
ried boughs of pine and cypress, others
lumber and a bale of straw. Two more
brought from Giovanni's stable a manger
filled with hay. A neighboring farmer ar-
rived with three white cows, sheep and
lambs.
Meanwhile, word had spread around
the village that Saint Francis was in-
viting everyone to come to the cave that
• ht
When it grew dark, men, women and
children approached the cave, bearing
torches and candles. Upon entering, they
stood transfixed with awe and wonder.
There, before their very eyes, they saw
the Christmas story — the stable spread
with clean straw and the walls covered
with sweet-smethng greens. The white
cows chewed their cud and a little gray
donkey looked quietly into the hay -filled
manger, while sheep and lambs crouched
At the appointed time, a young father
and mother came forward and gently laid
their sleeping baby in the manger. When
the picture was thus completed, Saint
Francis stepped from the shadowed cor-
ner where he had been standing.
Looking into the faces of the husband
and reverent wOrshipers, he told the
Bethlehem story of Mary and Joseph, of
the shepherds and the Wise Men. He
spoke not only of the baby Jesus, but also
of Jesus, the man, and implored his
listeners to follow Jesus' way of loving -
kindness.
Later that evening, when the villagers
left the cave to return to their homes, the
winter stars were shining brightly in the
dark sky.
"See!" exclaimed a child, pointing to
one star which was especially large and
bright. "It's the star of Bethlehem!"
Saint Francis heard it and his heart
sang wotj joy.‘ He knew that Christmas —
the real Christmas — had come that night
to the village of Greccio, Italy.
m•••.31.011.
'Twas one
hour before
deadline...
This year, the Goderich Signal -Star
has changed the format of the
Christmas edition. Instead of the usual
children's stories, letters to Santa and
art work, we have put together a wide
selection of Christmas lore consisting of
best -loved stories, songs, and poems.
We hope you will enjoy reading the 1987
Signal -Star Christmas edition. We think
it is also an issue you may want to keep
for years to come.
Before we put this issue together, we
in the newsroom (Sam Kinsman, Ted
Spooner, Rob Bundy, Shirley Keller,
Pat Raftis and myself, Lou -Ann
DeBruyn) decided to add a bit of humor
to the edition. What you are about to
read is the product of one afternoon's
work. We hope you enjoy our 'poem'.
Merry Christmas!
'TWAS ONE HOUR 'FORE DEADLLNE
'Twas one hour befOie deadline, when
all of the staff,
Gave up on their jobs, and walked out
with a laugh.
The copy was hung on the hooks with
great care;
But what did it matter, since no one
was there.
The newsroom was quiet, the door
was ajar;
Left open when everyone fled to the
bar.
"We'll finish the paper later," they
said;
"We've got a time of celebration
ahead.
"Our readers won't mind if their
paper is late.
"It will read just as well after a bit of
a wait."
But before anyone could even reach
their car,
The whole group was stopped by a
voice from afar.
"Get back here," the voice shouted.
"Don't leave me alone,
"I can't do all the work," the voice it
did moan.
We knew in our hearts, the voice was
quite right;
The paper must go out on time, yes,
tonight.
But who is this wise man, this voice
of such reason,
The one who is delaying our holiday
season?
"I have to work Christmas," said the
voice. "Why not you?
"Now get back at that paper, don't
stop till you're through.
"I promise you won't have to work
here all night;
"I've got some things for you that will
-make-your work light, -- • - - • •
"Here's a lead for that story you're '
working on Pat,
"I'll give you some tips, keep them
under your hat.
"Here's an auto -flash camera for you
to use Sam,
"It works everytime, so you aren't in
a jam.
"And for you, my dear Ted, I know
it's not much,
"Here's a local sports team with a
real special touch.
"For that guy Rob with a wierd sense
of humor,
"I've got in my sack a real juicy
runiour.
"To Lou -Ann who suffers from
second-hand smoke,
"I give an air -purifier so you don't
choke.
"To our student Jennifer on her way
to college,
"Here's a book in which to record
your new-found knowledge.
"For that graphically inclined girl
named Michelle,
"I give to her candy canes, Garfields
and bells.
"A new shiny car and a set of car
keys,
"Is what I give Lisa, get your license
soon please.
"No longer forgetful my Stevie, 5 -
Dogger,
"With a computer implant, that
makes your memory last longer.
"For disc jockey Kevin, who,does all
music play,
"A walkman I give so you can listen
all day.
"To Don Hubick the ad man, who
made a request,
"A new secretary who will clean up
your desk.
"And last but not least, to the G.M.
named Shirley,
"A promise from all to have ads and
copy in early.
"Composers, typesetters, I must not
forget,
"Chocolates for all, oh boy, you bet!"
Back at the office with bright lights a -
burning,
Everyone was working and the
wheels were a -turning.
Copy disappeared from the left and
the right;
Pages were filled, what a wonderful
sight!
And then it struck like a bolt from the
blue,
This voice of great reason was one we
all knew.
As he peeled off his fake beard and
the red Santa suit,
We knew in a second who had arrived
with the loot.
The editor of so many Christmas
issues past,
Dave Sykes had arrived to put out one
last.
"Ho -ho, Merry Christmas! I fooled
you I think;
"Let's close up this shop and buy
you a drink!"
As we raced to our cars and turned on
their lights,
A loud cry issued forth, "Merry
Christmas to all and to all a good
night!"
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