The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-25
CHRISTMAS PAGEANTS AND
 PARTIES IN ANNISTON
By IVA COOK

past week the Anniston shop win dows have been ablaze with tempt ing gifts, the toy shops are redolent with the most amazing and realistic limitations of things dear to the childish hearts and poinsettia, holly wreaths and mistletoe make the florist shops and windows in private homes most alluring and spread the spirit of Christmas as one passes along the streets and becomes inn bued with ightheartedness of Christ mas jewellers. A most beautiful story is told concerning the Christ mas wreaths which are so abundant this season. running as follows;
 Once upong a time on Christmas Day a soldier rode away in sword and sash and scarlet coat. As he passed through the frosty woods and fields young and lovely maiden, ar rayed in milky white pearls and flowing robes of green velvet, watched him pass through the fall- ing snow. After the departure or this lover. and the rumors of distant wars came to the fair maiden the months went slowly by. Another Christmas. when once the Christmas bells were pealing to the sky, the WHtA6 W WelihA Aitb NthA
 lonely woods found bush crowned with scarlet berries and thorns as sharp as little swords.
 AS she leaned against the ancient oak. she wove wreath of scariet berries and placed 1t on her hair. As she did 80 the pearls upon her breast were changed Into berries, too, and suddenly she became rooted to the oak-a branch of mistletoe.
 Each year when the Christmas bells ring out, sweet and clear OCT hill and vale, the maiden mist1etoe, in pearls and green velvet still is seen
 And with her in the revels ended
 By music, mirth and folly.
 In sword and scarlet still arrayed,
 Behold the soldisr-holly."
 Tho Christmas pageant When the Star shone," presented Sunday eve ming at the Lyric by the members of the Sunday school of the First Methodist church, was one of the best rendered and most delightful amateur performances ever given In the city. An enthusiastic audience of over 1,200 people witnessed the effort of the members of the cast and the close at tention of the spectators, until the last line was spoken was an evidence of the enjoyment of those who had gathered to witness the evening s entertainment Tho costumes and lighting effects were very beautiful and the scenes were laid In the town of Bethlehem at the item of the birth of Bethlehem at the time of the birth wife. Judith. being the central fig ures throughout. the parts being taken by Mir. R. B. Carr and Miss Mary Porter. The people of Bethlehem gathered around the rabbi listening to his teachings and stories. were in terrupted by the entrance of the shep- herds telling of the birth of Christ. AS they marveled at the story of the shepherds, the star appeared In the east, confirming a part of the report. The appearance of tho wise men of the east asking for the new born King, with their account of what they had seen and heard. was cause for greater wonder, but Rabbi Nathan and his followers were convinced that the long looked for Messiah had at last come and all joined In singing His praises. proclaiming Him Savior of the world.
 The solo parts were delightfully."- rendered by Mrs. Walker Collins. Mrs. J. w. King and Mrs Charles Pinnell, and all of the choruses were well