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THE NEW TANNER TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2008 8 Distributed to every home in Acton and area, as well as adjoining communities. 373 Queen Street East, Unit 1 Acton, Ontario L7J 2N2 email: thenewtanner@on.aibn.com Mike OLeary Frances Niblock Angela Tyler Rebecca Ring Publisher Editor Ted Tyler Hartley Coles Editorial Contributors Advertising and Circulation Composing Marie Shadbolt Ken Baker Tracey Gardner By Angela Tyler Editorial with Hartley Coles (519) 853-0051 Fax: (519) 853-0052 Every effort will be made to see advertising copy, neatly presented, is correctly printed. The publisher assumes no financial responsibility for typographical errors or omissions in advertising, but will gladly reprint without charge that part of an advertisement in which an error may occur provided a claim is made within five days of publication. All articles, advertisements and graphic artwork appearing in The New Tanner is copyrighted. Any usage, reproduction or publication of these items, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of the publisher of The New Tanner is a copyright infringement and subject to legal action. The first Christmas According to Luke 2:1-16: In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be regis- tered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. But the angel said to them Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people; to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you; you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace among those whom he favours! When the angels had left them and gone to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go now to Bethle- hem and see this thing that had taken place, which the Lord has made known to us. So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. I love Christmas. As soon as our Santa Claus parade happens I am ready to start the Christmas sea- son. I know we should have put our outside lights up when the weath- er was not like it is now, however, being the people we are, the Dude and I didnt. Somehow this year the lights for the roof just never got up. I did however make up for it inside. One night shortly after the parade, I headed to the basement to find the boxes with our decorations in them. The Dude was watching t.v. while, I, the elf, started to decorate. Oh, I forgot I had this one I informed him as I placed another lighted garland up, this one on the staircase. I think thats enough he told me, You already have all the other ones up. This one I bought at the end of last year when the Christ- mas stuff was on sale. I just fluffed him off. He was starting to sound Grinch like. As I hummed Christmas carols (my singing is something to be desired and not many desire it) I soon had Santas out, snowmen on tables and Christmas balls hanging by col- oured ribbon almost everywhere. We even had two minature Christ- mas trees in our bedroom one that when it is lit, well lets just say we dont need a night light in the bed- room at this time. I just love Christmas Okayenough alreadythink about all the hydro youre using the Grinch-ie Dude said. It comes but once a year and I could care less about the hydro bill. Its not even December 1st he continued as I continued to ignore him. I love everything. I love our real tree. I love the stars that light up our front windows. I love the Christ- mas flowers in our bathroom. I love how the spare bedroom door is shut off tight to anyone but me. Thats where the presents are waiting to be wrapped. The bedroom is my Christmas hideaway where I can immerse myself in paper, bows, tape and the presents Ive so care- fully chosen for the people I love. However, with all the decorations, the lights and presents, there is one more thing that I love. Without it up, just wouldnt be Christmas. It may seem kind of silly, yet, I get this special Christmas feeling when I see on t.v. some old Christ- mas specials on t.v.. and I just have to watch, even though it might seem really odd for a 40 year old to be watching them. One night, I had on Andy Wil- liams and his brothers Christmas special on PBS. The Dude looked at me like I was off my rocker. Do we have to watch this? he asked. Didnt you watch these sorts of shows when you were growing up? I responded. He didnt, but for me it reminded me of shows my grandparents would have watched. It was a rerun from the 60s and it was what Christmas specials should be, not what we have now. Then this past week, my all time favourite Christmas shows were on and I was delighted. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus is Coming to Town were on. Not the new ones. These were the old cartoons from my youth that had Burl Ives narrating and singing. How could any Christmas mem- ory not have one of these in them? Sure there are lots of new cartoons and movies about Christmas, but I cant help but get a little misty- eyed sentimental when watching these shows and yes, I do still watch them. They are classics. I cant wait for Christmas mor- ning. I guess its just the kid in me coming out again. And yes, in some way I guess I still believe in Santa Claus because on Christmas Eve, I still find myself looking up into the sky because you never know, you might just see Rudolphs red nose guiding the big guys sleigh to all the girls and boys. HAVE YOU BEEN GOOD?: Guess who the main attraction at the Acton branch of the Royal Canadian Legions Christmas party - well Santa Claus of course. There was a full house for the party on Sunday, Dec 14 with lots of gifts for the children - James Hayes Photo