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2-Ororio Weekly Times, Wednesday, December 2th, 1978 Orono Weekly Times Beyond Christmnas sentimentality A cartoon which appeared a few years ago on the front page of the Manchester Guardian Weekly is a challenge to the religious sentimentality some of us indulge i at this time of year. There are two figures in the foreground - Santa Claus and a smail boy. Santa bas been reading to the boy from a book which is identified on its cover as "The Christmas Story". Santa has a puzzled expression on bis face, and we cari understand his puzziement when we read the cartoon's caption which indicates that the boy has just asked him, "And~ how did it end?" In the cartoon's background we see the answer to that * question - a large cross in silhouette, with a man hanging from it. Not a very Christmasy drawing. Not the kirid of thing we put on Christmas cards, but it does make the point that the Christmas story shouid not be isolated f rom the rest of tbe story of Jesus Christ. Christmas was flot celebrated in the Church bef ore the second half of the fourth century. Apparently some Christian leaders were uneasy about a testival beirig established at the time of the traditional pagan mid-winter festivals, such as the Roman Saturnalia. (Perhaps some of the good citizens of Rome complained about the sneakiness of the Christians in. trying to "religienize" the Saturnalia) Easter was the great central festival from the earliest dasof the Church. It proclaimed that the crucifixion did not mark the end of the mission of Jesus, but, rather, that it marked a new beginning. There can be no doubting that wheri Christmas was adopted as a special celebration of the Church it was viewed in the light of Easter, the festival of the resurrection of Jesus. It is not enough at Christmastime for Christians simply te, concentrate their attention on the infant Jesus, the Babe i the Manger. They must also remember that the mari Jesus brought bis purpose anid bis mis sion into final focus in bis death on the cross and in his resurrection. Christmas isoiated hy sentimentality is, in the long mun,' Christmas made irreleveant for faith. The Office of Church in Society Excited over work ahead Although on Monday evening at tbe Social Services. commitee meeting of the Town of Newcastle there appeared to be some confusion over just what was going on as to the operation of the Orono Towni Hall this does flot appear to carry over to the newly appointed chairman of the Hall Board. in speaking with Stirlinig Mather on Saturday at the Santa Skating party at the Orono Arena be certainly had some definite ideas of where he feit the management board should be going and to what could be done at the hall. It was rather refreshing te hear some enthusiasm being spoken over the future of the hall in Orono and just what miust be faced to bring it back to a useable state of ciearliness and use within the community. The Orono Town Hall does have some character about it and to demolish the building as has been occasionally expressed would seem a shame.,We do have a surplus of community centre halls in-thp cemmunity and ail appear to have their limitations. No doubt it will become difficuit to finance ail such halls but then it would be a disaster to let the Orono Hall deteriorate when it is located on our main street. We wish Stirling and his board well in their deliberations in bringing new life anid activities to the Orono Town Hall. Bitching timie is over For those who watched W5 on Sunday evening this will be nothing new. We were, however, somewhat impressed with the vitality and cônfidence of a young businessman in his late twentîes in Calgary. His vitality was quite evident and his confidence in people and Canada was reassuring after hearing se much about what a mess Canada is in. Ron Miller stated that the bitching time for Canadians is over and it is time te go to work. He contended that anyone could make it if they gave it a real effort. Certainly we would agree that bitchirig time should 5e over and the crying of Canadians is becoming a drag to the nation. Surely an air of confidence and some hard work would do ne one any harm but would in fact bolster this nation to new heights of achievement. We canet continue te be spoon-fed through goverriment handouts anid unrealistic wage settlements. We must give te receive. We would disagre witb Miller that everyone cari be successful because everi with ahl the confidence and work there rests in success another sense whicb ail are not endowed. But achievemerits are always positive and even practical for every mari, womnan and child. We would also agree with Miller when he says it is time for politicians at ail levels of government to DO what they think is good for people rather than SAYING what people want to hear. This is so true and f ilters down even to our local SAMAT QU E1 Report from Queen's Park Sam Cureatz, M. P. P., I Durham East 1 Tradition and message of Christmas Usualiy the views expres- sed in this column are of a politicai nature. This week, however, I thought I'd like te TOT LOT UNDECIDED (Continued f rom page 1) Tot Lot area and that the Town wouid have te recupe this meney and aIse money that was te be spent on the Tet Lot. He said this should corne from the sale of a lot or lots on Robins Rond. The financial aspect ls aise te be considered in the Town Manager's re- port. At a recent meeting of the Public Works department it was passed that, if. the walkway was te be censtruct- ed in the Tot Lot that it wouid be placed along the west fence. It was also moved thaxt a new chain link ferice bt constructed next te the Orono Cemetery. Furiding for the project was te corne from other than the public works departmnert. The same motion included a section that the Town would not extend the curb on Robins Road at Taunton Road and that thls entrance would remain untouched. A letter to Santa Below is a Santa Caus, letter written by Christine Ferguson, Grade Three pupil at Lockbart. Dear Santa: 1 have been good. I have belped my Mem and Day and my sister. 1 helped my Mom make the beds. 1 belped my Dad wben he went outside te work. I helped my sister when she made a mess. 1 helped ber dlean it up. And I helped my Dad feed tbe dogs. My sister wants for Christ- mas Jane and Jannie. 1 think my Dad wants a new tie. My Mom wants onie ring, one necklace and two earrîngs. My deg would like some dog food. 1 hope we do net have a storm. 1 hope Rudolph is net sick. I hope your sleigh does net break down on Christmas night. 1 hope you get fat before Christmas, 1 know your elves are werking very, very bard making toys and other things, 1 bave watched most of your shows on T.V. I hope you can bring me for Christmas a sing aiong radio and a typewriter. How do you go up cbim- neys? How cari reindeer fly? I wiil leave some Christmas cake and cookies. Say hi te the elves and the reindeer and of course, Mrs. Claurs. Good- bye, Santa, I love you. Christirie Ferguson, Gr. 3. turn my attention te une; traditions and message of the Christmas season which is now upon us. The anniversary of the birthof Christ is the greatest festival of the year, which, throughout historic centuries, has been celebrated ini mary lands and in many ways. Although varicus countries have impressive legends about the first Christmas tree, it is generally beiieved that the decorated pine or cedar is of German enigin. And when the tree was brought te No-rth ÀArefca by German immigrants, the del- ightful custom was quickiy taken up by 'the New World settlers of ail nationalities. The carol was 'already popular before the fourteenth century ahd has retained its popuiarity throughout the succeeding centuries. Over a huridred carols have survived and are now a definite part of most church services held at Christmas. 0f comparativeiy recerit enigin is the holiday greeting card which was maied around the middle of the nineteenth century. The early ones were pen-flourishes sim- ulating birds, scrolls and flowers with the greeting beautifuiiy written under- neath.1 1 I think most people don't realize that Santa Claus is really a native of New York. The Dutch settiers brought' him te New Amsterdam as a rather austere person dressed in antique bishop's robes. Af ter New Amnsterdam be- came New York-, St. Nicholas- became Santa Claus, a rosy- cheeked, plump and jolly old man with reindeer and a sleigb te bring presents to al good children. This time, his fame 'quickly spread te the homelands across the ocean where, he instantly became popular as. the secret deliver- er of holiday gifts te young and old. Although these traditions help make the Yuletide sea- son more festive, I would hope that ail of us would find a few moments during thls busy season te consider those less fortunate than ourselves. But more importaritly, 1, wouid hope.that we neyer lose sight. of Othe true message of Christmas; peace, hope and brotherhood. This is some- tbing for wbich we ail are responsible. My wife Kathy and I anc our two sons, Draýdon and Ryan wish you aIl health and joy throughout the festive season and the new year. 1 wish you and your family Christmas and a Happy New Year SAM L. CU REATZ M.P. P. DURHAM EAST Drive caretully over the. festive season