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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-12-22, Page 2i d'er: ich l°. SPECIAL HOLIDAY GREETINGS SECTION TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1987 Saint Francis and the Christmas story 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 only 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 he stopped suddenly, a light glowing in his eyes. "I know! I know what I can do!" With that 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 afternoon, you would have seen q:, ion i f io nni'' savants mak- Upon entering the cave, they stood transfixed with awe and wonder. 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 'lit. 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-smelling 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. '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 DEADLINE 'Twas one hour before 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 snake -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 rumour. "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, S - 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 I'll 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!"