The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

@f Lord, make me an instru- ment of your peace .. Where there is hatred, lei me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is despair, hope;, Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, Sjoy. O Divine Master, grant that 1 mnay not so much Seek to be consoled as to console; To be understood, as to understand; To be Ioved, as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; Lt is in pardoning that we are pardoned; And it is in dying that we are born To eternal life. The Many, Customs of Christmas Once again, the most joyous of holiday semsons is, upon us, bringing a spiri- tual renewal and strength- ening of family bonds. Among alI these holiday tra- ditions are found manyý of long-ago and enchanti'ng history. The banging of mistletoe is a practice derived f'rom the British customi of the "Kissing Bal." This special ornamnent wýas made from evergreen branches and was hung in a passagewvay. A berry was remioved ea'ch time a kiss was exchanged. Once aIl bernies were re-- moved, kissing ý,ceased. Decoratîve wetsfor doors and wýindow.s are tra- ditions thoughit to have been înspired by the great Della Robbia famnily of Florence, Italy. This popular wreath patterni of fruit and foliage was originally made to re- semble small, circular gar- lands, surrounding tiny figu- rines. Gradually, the round greens grew in size until ready to stand as art in themselves. The practice of hanging Christmas stockings began in Southern Europe. Le- gend states that an old man was in despair because he had no money for his dau gh- ters' dowries. Saint Nicho- las, hearing of the man's plight, dropped a bag of gold down the oldster's chimney. The gift traveled quickly and landed in a stocking, hung upon the mnantie to dry. The next year, friends and neighbors hung out their prettiest stockings in anti- cipation of the coming of the generous Saint1. Today, the practice of hanging these picturesque socks remains one of the happiest of Christmas traditions. OSCW, INC. Stumped for Gif t Ideas? Why Not Consuit the Stars, Santa Christmas Date It wasn't until 320 AD. that Decemtber 25th wa of- ficially designated as Chirist- mas Day. Before then, the celebra- tion of Christmas was. as- signed to.,various dates, in-. cluding January 6th. e9u2anom 1ee'W« b!e, i/tXeda1e ~/waaPaJ/ ~I1i twv t4b!uý 4 e/#4&c X e-444e X0lu c4$ev HolidayGreenery and Bertnes -A Word of Caution! Decorating with holiday greenery and bright red bernes is an old and lovely tradition. However these bright plants are natu- rally filed with potent chemicals and can be dangerous. Ancient people, living dloser to the earth and more familiar with plants than most of us, knew about the "good and bad" in leaves, cones ýnd buds. Romnantic mnistletoe is for kissing under and decorat ion, but the pale green leaves and waxy white bernies contain natural poisons, and are dangerous! The yew berry, pinkish red and translucent, is also poisonous when eaten. Oddly enough yew berrnes have no harmful effect when eaten by birds. Our feathered friends have enzyme sys- teins that render thepoison found in yew berrnes, harmless! HoIly bernies, shiny and sparkly red are far less dangerous, but can also upset the stomnach. t is important to discourage infants and children froni tasting the temapting looking bernies of holly and yew and Jerusalem cherries, whose attractive fruit is potentially dangerous. Its chemicals are capable of inducing vomiting. paralysis and could be fatal in sufficient quantities. So remember. . - a word te, the wise . . . and most impor- tant, to littie ones! in a quandry when it cornes to givinig gifts? Let the stars be your guide this season. Astrology might give you somie cues as to what certaini sig-ns would be apt to enjoy. Aries, (March 21-Aprîl 20) for instance, are hom-e- loyers, according to astrol- ogers, so a gîft for the home would definitely be in order. Taureans (Aýpril 21 -May 20) enjoy luxurious things, s0 how about a fine sijk tie for him, an expensive per- fume for- her? Gemini people (May 21-June 21) are known for their active minds and would probably appreciate the latest word, game. Moon children are under the sign of Cancer (June 21-July 20) and they enjoy entertaining, making a host or hostess gift most appro- priate for them. Leos (July 21-August 21) also enjoy entertaining, being very sociable people, so gift themn with bar acces- sories. The Virgo personality (August 22-September 22) is discriminating, so what- ever you give, make sure it's the best. Libra people (September 23-October 22) are noted for their love of beauty and the arts ...* perhaps a fine print or classical recording would be the ideal gift for this signl.1 Scorpios (October 23-November 22) have very definite ideas about likes and dislikes; play it safe and give themn gift certifi- cates! Sagittarians (November ,23-December, 20) generally like to- relax out-of-doors, s0 camnping accessories or fishing equipmnent mnight be a good idea. Capricorn people (De- cember 21 -January 19) are hard workers who miay flot alwvays take time to relax; encourage themi to do so with a good book. Aquarius people (Jan- uary 20-February 18) are often avant-garde types, so gift them wîth the latest in fashion or furnishings. Pisceans (February 19-March 20) on the other hand,. are generally sentimental types and would probably love photographs of friends, and family. Look up that special per- son's sign-it may gîve you somne interesting ideas on gifting him or her this holi- day season! GMî Idea: Charms stili delight reci- pients, and can be worn on necklaces as well as on bracelets. There are charms to reflect imost any special interest or skill. w, I ,4ýeýd . et a, t -l 11, /e eý 1 4wz.,.