Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1911-12-15
Santa Claus Own Story of Christmas

Grandpa and gradma's heads have
| grown a silvery white, showing signs
Of many and many a Christmas thew
have passed and tonight, Christmas
eve. they are enjoying the bright
glowing fireside with three merry lit-s
tie grandchildren at their side-Ruth,7
Willie and Frank.
Such a merry little family, grandpas
with his long grey beard and hair So
much like old Girls Crinkle, and
grandma with her long flowing white
/ hair, the merry little youngsters are
| like all others of their size, from ones
year old to five years. Baby's first
Christmas, yet he enjoys the coming
event as much as the other members
OF the family and his bright blue eyesJ
show that he understands all that Isl
said or done. Tell US a story grandpa
! said Ruth, as she climbed upon his
knee and began to stroke his longg
! grey beard. Yes said William, tell
us a story of Santa Claus. as it is hisT
| time to be coming home again.
Good old Santa Claus said grandpa
IN his grave voice, good old Santa
Claus, how kind he is to remember all
OF us, and drop a blessing in each
nome for all. And l could tell you
no story of Santa Claus better than
ne can tell of his own life Many
years ago in the land of Palestine
lived many wise men who ruled their
country by many cruel laws. So the
people became very wicked and long.
ed for new rulers. Time after time
the prophets had promised the people
new ruler so they looked for him
among the princes and wise rulers of
the country. But one lonely night
during the reign of King Herod Of
Judea in the city Of Bethlehem there
was born a child called, Jesus, who
was to be king and Saviour of the
world. When King Herod heard this
ne sent the wise men and the priest
and serbs to look for him. AS they
reparted from the kings castle a very
bright star shone in the east and as
they Travelled the star led them and
the rejoiced and were happy for the
light it shone around them as they
travelled. At last they came to the
house where the child was with his
mother, and they fell down and wor-
shipped him and when they had open
ed their treasures they presented I'M
tC him gifts Of gold frankinsense and
myrrh. This was the beginning OF /
christmas. The presentation OF
Christ, the son of God, the Savior OF
the world to his people. Then when
the wise men brought their gifts ana
lay them at his feet a token Of their
JOY for his coming. Since that time
It. has become rule Of all countries
TO choose this day to make gifts 10
their friends in early history the
Christmas festivity lasted much long
er and was celebrated with more
pomp and splendor with the huge
yule log which all gathered around
told stories and made merry Wl'n
dances and feasting.
At 1.-The present day comes '1e
Christmas tree, the many novelty wa,
IN presenting presents. ChuIcnt'
have services, homes are decorateu'
an dthere old Santa Claus with n!s
sleigh and RENDERS, his pockets Ills
cap and big fur overcoat, presentS
hanging from all parts, bounds lol.n
on the nights invasion with presel's
for old and young. Then granupa
and grandma wish they were youns
again, remembering many such oa,'
with turkey, chicken, cranperrle'd
pies, nuts and candies. All soou
things that have been stored ave.
for months. BY this time little Mw
Frank was fast asleep, no douu,
dreaming of Santa Claus, lor Nv
smiled in his sleep. Ruth and "lluau
began to nod perhaps hearing oa nS.
Claus sleigh bells gingle. SO gravy
p and grandma tucked them 10 Wv
with fond kiss good night ana u,e
too felt life worth living and tuin.i
their foot steps toward nlghl
slumbers.
May Mary Frances DavS. ,o