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/ The Canadian Statesman 7Ve«Ae«dt*, Bowmanville, Wednesday, December 23,1992 13 In the Christmas Spirit In the Loft I stepped up to the door and stood with my feet slightly apart and I rapped lightly on the door. A voice answered harshly, "Go away!" it said, "the inn's full." I continued to rap...louder and louder. My knuckles became raw and bruised. I replaced my right hand with my left 1 . I would make the innkeeper heed me. I jerked my head up. I heard footsteps. footsteps. Perhaps it was the innkeeper, finally finally coming to me through the corridor. corridor. The door was thrust open and muffled sounds from the overcrowded inn reached my ears. "I am sorry," said a voice. It was a pleasant voice. It was quite different from the angry voice I had heard earlier. earlier. "Every room, every corridor, every nook, already has a body to fill it. There is no room for you here. "I will try to find another inn," I ' mumbled. My voice was low and inaudible. inaudible. "Here's a woollen blanket and a lantern." Both items were thrust into my arms. "There is a stable that you may sleep in. Go around to the back of the inn. Follow a well worn foot path until you reach it. You may-sleep in the loft. If you need a ladder there is,one leaning against the outside wall. Do not be frightened by the animals. They are gentle and tame." I nodded and stepped away. "Thank you," I said, "I am grateful. grateful. May Jehovah keep you." "It is the least I can do," was the reply. Underneath my. bare feet I felt the grass flatten. Dew had already settled and the soles of my feet became wet. Thelantem's light spread around me in the cold night. The path was indeed well worn. I heaved the door open. Then,, turning around to close it behind behind me, I saw a star in the sky, bright and radiant. I did not remember it being being there before. Somehow I felt that the star was facing me. I smiled up at it. It was so bright and so warm. After finding the ladder I ascended slowly to the loft above. I spread the blanket out and layed down. After resting a while and eating my bread I heard voices approaching the bam. The door was heaved open. I peered through a crack in the floorboards. Below Below I saw a husband and a woman large with child. He shadowed her gently and then they both sat down. They looked exhausted. No doubt they had experienced the same trouble that I had. What if she gave birth this night? My thoughts slowed and I fell into a deep sleep. When I awoke, the woman was cradling, a child and singing to it softly in hushed tones. His face reminded me of the star. It seemed that the world was singing. Some shepherds entered the stable and wrapped themselves around the baby. I heard the word Messiah whispered. whispered. Could it be? Was this child the promise that the old priest had spoken of? Was this the mighty ruler that the great book had spoken of? My heart beat faster. Suddenly I knew with certainty certainty that I was in the presence of the long awaited Christ child. I wished that all the world could have seen that child, heard the singing, and seen the star that shone that night. By Jessica Hiemstra Knox Christian School Grade 8 Christmas Poem f watched him heal people, I had to Be cleansed, he was so perfect, so humble Bom in a manger. I watched him get arrested, I tried to stop him but fled, how could .x . they kill - - The Messiah who was bom, In a Manger. They nailed him to a cross and - killed him, They gave him à crown of GREETINGS OF THE SEASON We'd like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family thé best of the season. May the peace and joy which is its true meaning be with you always. We have been happy to serve you throughout this past year and look forward to serving you in the future. And we wish you all the happiest of holidays The and ° most prosperous New Year - -m. i mm* -e-» -■ Mario Veltl'i VELTR1 ^ 19 Gr thorns and spit On him, If.it wasn't for that night, In a manger. He saved our lives by dying for Us, He took our sins away, He died In love for us, I remember, that night In a manger. By Scott Bouwmeester Christmas Poem I was a wise man, I travelled a long time, I saw the birth of Jesus, In a manger. I followed a star all the way to Bethlehem, I gave him Gold and Silver, In a manger. I went to Herod, to see what he knew I followed the star, To a manger. . . Herod asked us to come back, we didn't because of a dream, we loved the boy, In a manger. Herod wanted to kill him, we didn't want to tell where he was, he was so helpless Laying in a manger. I gave him gifts of value, he didn't Know what they were, He was the Christ child Bom in a manger. I watched him grow up, he was so kind, I remember that night, In a manger. ? o° , w - •o. I y ij. . 0 0oo 0 ° TVtcL UAt to offet * tout to- owi many (oondexjut pUotiU- Met juUnono. Wo ice* * joy to ovwc you cuui toe toot, foouxuwt to oteittÿ tfotc agrUn- i* titc kc*w futmt. 00 o OQ >111 Ik, 0 O o 0 -nH* » Q <uut 'Hew- tyon! pvotK ail of cu■ at: WITZKE GREENHOUSES R.R. #3, Bowmanville, Ont. Pebblestone Rd. 728-9530 your friendship and support are the most precious gifts, and rue thanhjyoufor them. 9dave a very dakfuj t 78 King Street West Bowmanville 623-1933