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Acton Free Press Tuesday Dae 3 Aaron son of Jacob Uvea In Israel on the out skirts of Bethlehem and recently experienced a close encounter of the third kind His this world experience la best in his own words I am Aaron I have been a shepherd most of my sixteen years of life But now after the happen some time ago I am not bo sure I want to remain in the mountains with my sheep That night and the strange things that hap pencd to me to my brothers have made me curiously restless feci as if I have to travel follow something I cannot explain But 1 digress First I must tell you of my life As the sixth son of my father Jacob and the second son of my mother Naomi itwaspredes lined I become a shepherd The younger and lesser sons of our tribe are chosen to mind the animals on which our life depends Although I would prefer to be a scribe such as my older brother Joshua or an important leader like my cousin Joachim I am content with my lot It Is a responsible Job caring for the tribe flocks Without shepherds the fat tail beasts with little brain would fail prey to the wild lion bear or Jackal The five of us who mind the sheep consist of my older brother and three tribe brothers who have taught me the trade I am the youngest Every morning 1 rise don my heavy goats wool great cloak fastening It to my head with the special circlet of goats hair given to me by my mother and hasten to he hills and the flocks Some nights I stay all night watching the flock Other nights I may come home at sunset and my brothers will take my place Before I proceed to the hills I must remember to attach my flute and my sling lomy girdle and take up my staff Without my staff and sling I would be helpless against prey animals Without my flute I would be miserable I also take up a small pouch containing leavened bread olives and a small vial of olive oil The food I supplement with wild fruit for my midday meal The oil is to anoint the many scratches we shepherds suffer in the course of our day All day we are busy Our lands are sparse and we must lead the flocks to fertile valleys where the grass is sweet and still waters run We have to be alert for predators lurking in the rocky ere vices and paths Many days lambs become lost and we must find them before they are eaten Police plan ltd from 1 and utilize the citizens to cut crime said he felt the concerns he has voiced represent the view of per cent of Actonians Harding said he and the force would like to deal directly with the residents but If and others In the community must be the medium to make the police aware of concerns then that would be fine He added people sometimes talk to their councillors and urged the councillors take com plaints and concerns they hear to Inspector Ray Andress who has been appointed to communicate with councils In Hal ton Harding said he t really care how the force finds out Acton feelings but we must hear people concerns and complaints or we can tailor our service to thecommunity needs All three councillors were impressed wild the efforts Harding and the force arc making to lm prove the and Image here They said they hoped would turn out for the open house in large numbers so the police will know the people are serious about their complaints and concerns Following the meeting Doberthien said he was encouraged The police have put the ball in our court now We must go to the meeting next month In larger num bers and voice our concerns It all up to the people of Acton now Since the controversy erupted last month he thinks residents are noticing the police more and the heat Is on the officers here What people are sec more these days are the police doing their Job On the surface it certainly seems they are doing a better Job You have to sell yourselves to the people Doberthien urged Do some PR Besalesmen Improving police relations will have to start at the grass roots Grubbe a supporter of the police who stated She suggested the force publish a phone number for the Acton police station so residents can call and talk to specific officers once they get to know them She also thought there should be a supervisory officer on duty at the Acton office part of each day Harding again said he fully understands why people want the station open more hours It a comfort blanket People won t use It much and it 13 an expensive comfort blanket but perhaps for Acton 11 would be the right thing to do to spend money on a comfort blanket Maybe the region should be looking at spending the money to extend the hours of operation of the Acton office Grubbe said residents assume there wont be anyone at the police office and bo don stop by The police should bo Informing people of the times officers will be In the office She also urged the force consult with Townsley who Is the office receptionist and must bo hearing com plain la and concerns from the public The police will make more use of the bulletin board outside the station and take up stein offer to use his store window for plays Harding said Also Harding promised the force now trailer for mobile displays will visit Acton next year It is a good life and a pleasant one I wa3 quite at peace until the happening that night I must tell you It was a clear night close to the midwinter solstice It was cool and we shepherds had our cloaks pulled foot around us I was to stay all night but I did not mind The stars were bright and I welcomed the chance to play my flute All was quiet when suddenly a voice came out of the sky At first we all thought It was one of the others having a dream But the voice did not belong of us Ilcame from the clouds We saw a light filling the sky as If the sun was rising but we knew It was midnight I was very frightened At first I thought some strange things were inside my head until I saw my brothers so afraid also The light took on a shape the shape of a robed man voicctoldusnottobeafraid Hemic he brought us great news and 1 II not forget the He said For this day is born to you a Savior who Is the Lord He directed us to go and find the child lying In a manger wrapped In swaddling bands Just then the whole heavens were split and a host of angels sang to the glory of God in he highest wishing peace on earth We were as if turned to stone so afraid were The sky returned to normal and gathered together marvelling at the wondrous vent Jonas said wc must go and find this special babe but the remainder of us were concerned about the sheep It was decided I would remain with the flock but I felt a stirring in my breast and knew I had to go It was against our ways but we all left the flock and started down the hill together We know where we were going but thought we would start looking near the town Bethlehem is not large and we knew we would find a Just born babe before daybreak As we came down from the hills Jacob pointed out a bright star hanging low in the sky seen before Perhaps It has something to do with our special babe he said We all agreed to follow the star and set what we could find As we approached the outskirts the star seemed to be suspended over a building Wc followed and found ourselves stumbling through an alleyway behind an inn toward a small roughly built stable Not knowing what to do we gathered outside the stable door talking low Suddenly the door was pulled open and a worried man peered out demanding of us our Jacob explained our errand and asked if a new babe was born Yes replied the man with reluctance s it a manchild of the House of David The man appeared afraid and tried to shut the door Jacob pushed his way in and saw a young woman clutching her robe around her The hut of recent birth and the woman was anguished A light was glowing from a cattle manger and when wc pressed closer we saw a newborn babe wrapped in swaddling clothes surrounded by a light none of us could understand Peace and Joy flooded our breasts and fell on our knees I know not why but the occasion warranted it Knowing should give a gift to a new babe I pulled my beloved flute from my girdle and laid it by him in the manger He smiled at me that new born babe really smiled Since that time I have been filled with a desire alien to my soul no longer want the lift of a lowly shepherd I must wander and search for what I know not The smile of that babe ii with me it haunts my nights I must go Aaron Merry Christmas Girl hurt in crash An IB yearold Acton girl is in hospital for Christmas following a twocar collision Sunday evening at Main and Mill St Kelly George driving a was taken to Georgetown Hospital following the accident and will be hospitalized for approximately two weeks according to police Police say a 1974 Chcv driven by Steven Johnston of was southbound on Main when the accident with the which eastbound on Mill Police say the George vehicle was totalled In the accident while the Chcv sustained an mated damage Kindergarten class at Joseph s school can t get Santa Thdrsdaj morning He took timeout from to hand cones Legend of Befana Tyler wins Optimist draw Ted Tyler master of ceremonies for the preced draw on Saturday morning Actarlo was the big winner of glass Yule Logs in the Acton Optimists draw Tyler s ticket number was The second prize winner was rural Acton resident H Rensma with ticket number and Sheppard of Milton third with ticket number Smterklaas goes Dutch For centuries the Feast of Slnterklaas has been unique as a Dutch and Flemish event honoring St Nicholas Calendar Day on Do- comber but celebrated on the eve December Why Is St Nicholas Influence so strong In Holland Primarily be cause he was the patron saint of merchants and sailors The actual Saint lived from AD to Decembers 342 or so that his Calendar Day honors the date of his death surprise visit from the toy making to i0trt Ken Terry Kevin Grubbe this festive bright Christmas ill your hearts song and mirth Merry Christmas from I Sandy Brenda Joanne Connie at The Looking Glass IB Main St S Acton Families of Italian origin are familiar with In these days woman lib it is inter est to hear about his legendary lady When the Three Kings were on their search for the Holy Child they passed the house of as she was seeping and cleaning house In answer to her Inquiry they told her She asked lo go with them but they continued on their way without waiting for her to finish her chores When tried to overtake them she failed and so unable to worship the Holy Babe with them A CJuistmns Wis Toddlers to Teens DOWNTOWN ACTON JAsm and a Best wishes to all of our customers friends Elaine Cory Linda Debbie Kathy CHICKEN PIZZA 29 MILL STREET EAST 8532450 I hough times may ever change replacing old customs with new one thing that will never change is our warm wish to you Merry Christmas from BECKERS PLAZA Mars a Staff Beckers Milk at rat wood at Family Cleaners Jake Jennie Kulbcn Halton Hills Furniture Double Happiness