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ay : 1 Watch your label; it (ell when your sem P RT PERRY STAR wel Editor and Publisher ln : $1.50 per year in advance, PORT PERRY, ONTARIO, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24th, 1942 5 cents a single copy AT HAS HAPPENE TO CHRISTMAS? = OMETHING HAS HAPPENED TO CHRISTMAS, The Editor and Salt AND IT [SNOT A PLEASANT HAPPENING. AE For many people, Christmas has lost much of its Port Ferry Star joy, because it has become a time of competition in a: hy kins J ig : present giving. Because the great feast has been Fialinas geannn, an . . . . throught the Rew Wer ~~ commercialized. We are so busy buying and selling that we have not time to write Christmas in full. We [BA] © let it go at "Xmas." Leaving Christ out of Christmas = means much. This year most of us will have to stay at home; and perhaps we can regain the spirit of good fellowship by our own fireside, or by the fireside of one of our family. Perhaps we can regain something of the spirit of the Christmas Carol, and some poorer or more lonely people will be happier because of our thoughtfulness. Perhaps in the singing of 'Silent night, holy night" we can regain a devout thankfulness for blessings here such as the world has seldom, if ever, seen before. Perhaps we. shall be able to picture the humble birth of the One who became the mightiest power the world has ever known--a power for absolute g goodness, and justice, and eternal vision. : Perhaps our vision will follow Him as "'He went about doing good." We may note the long days of loving service; and listen in spirit to His prayer in the night solitude, . BN In this true "way" we can see that the foundation of the Christmas spirit was laid. We shall begin to realize the eternal joy of service, without hope of reward, except that inner light of unselfish love that has eased the burdens of life, and brought true happiness to millions, In this way our eyes will be opened in faith to believe in the ultimate tri- umph of righteousness; and the divine capability of the human being, not merely : ; in our own set, but of those who are hungry, down-trodden, terribly miserable, Then we shall see more clearly those evils, little and big, that are eating WAN MN ; 2. the heart out of thie Christmas spirit. Callousness may leave us, and sympathy MA 8 - \\ = & may come in its place. In that day we shall learn that what is wrong is 'our - He io & buginess'" to right; what is careless is dangerous; what is 'selfish is destructive 4 of the very things upon which we depend for our own happiness, -- When these visions come to us through pain, and suffering, and sorrow, we shall return to the simple Christmas joys. There will be no need to hunt for pleasure. It will be right with us in the home, and with our friends. Competition, and freed, and love of praise, will give place to genuine pleasure of true love and friendship; and our Christmas feast will be worthy of its Founder--THE CHRIST CHILD. Bruce Hutchison, writing in Maclean's Magazine, says: "If we do not realize what Christmas means this year; if we are not pre- pared now to accept in our practical daily lives the idea that came into the world with Christmas; if .we have not learned the lesson yet, the bitter lesson of the past ten years, then it is probably too late to-save us. If we have learned it, there-will-be a new feeling about Christmas this year, a new hope, and a sober happiness that we have long lacked." --- oN ~ Zz ; | Bm 2 TONGS = IR SN ie a I a Se - a eT -- Bint RN OR ES 2 = AV WEE PAE ACAI ATU,