Smyrna times., 1932-12-28
DOINGS SO YEARS
AGO IN SMYRNA

Continued From Page Two)
SMYRNA The Holiday of Holi-
days that is looked forward to for
year by the juveniles, has come
and nearly gone, since our last is
sue-the few remaining days up
til New Years belong only to the
children in its festive sense. Christ
mas Eve is a very essential part
Of the great event. This fell on
Sunday BY the calendar, but it was
in fact On Saturday. The bright
Spring-like day of Sunday would
of itself have made it conspic-
uous day, had it not been SO in
timetely connected with the Christ
mas tide. The congregations were
large. The M. z. Church was sim
ply but neatly decorated. Over the
pulpit recess was the inscription in
large evergreen letters, peace on
Earth" Below this extending to
the gallery was a double line Of
festooning, which with the trim
ming Of the gas brackets constitut-
ed the adornments. The Episco-
pal Church was deliberately dress
ed, Z festoons extended around the
whole inner wall caught in wreath
es at the windows and the gallery
front, while in a line below in
evergreen letters were appropriate
\ scriptural verses, ''Hosanna to the
Y Son Of David, Hosanna in the
Highest" God Ny Strength and
Redeemer," etc. In the rear Of the
chancel on the wall in circular
form and ornate letters was BE
hold, | bring you glad tidings of
great joy" while in line that
formed the base Of the half circle
was Christ is born in Bethlehem"
In the central space was a large
gilt star in dark trimmings, over
the doors at either end Of the chan
eel were Wonderful, Counsel
lor" while other decorations were
in and about the chancel. There
were no flowers in either church.
/ The sermons were preached in har-
mony with the spirit Of the day
we celebrate" A more bright,
beautiful, mild, bracing Christmas
day never dawned on humanity
it was perfect Ere the grey of
morning had heralded the coming
Of the King of Day, the bell Of
the NJ. E. Church rang out on the
clear morning air calling the faith
full to the alteration of the Babe
of Bethlehem as did the song Of
the angels the shepherds on the
Judean Hills. The seventh or sew
enty-five persons who met at the
early hour of dawn went in the ex-
pectation of meeting Him as much
as did the magii when they follow
ed the star to the mange-, and as
one of them expressed it, his pres
ence was just as real as it was to
the two disciples whom he Joined
on the way to Emmaus after his
resurrection. In every house where
there were children the din and
confusion over the gifts of Kriss
Kringle commenced early and was
kept up with but little intermission
throughout the day. Christmas
trees were the attractions in a
great many homes. The Liberty
Cornet Band gave its usual parade
through the streets which was en-
: joyed by those attracted to the
open air The usual Christmas
service was held at the Episcopal
: church with music prepared for the
occasion, closing with a very neal
and appropriate sermon of sixteer
minutes from the Rector on tht
doxology of the angel at the An.
nunciation, "Glory to God in tht
Highest, and on Earth Peace anc
, Good will to Men" The evening
was devoted to the Sunday chool'
of both the churches above named
, each of which had Christmas trees
, That in the chapel Of St. Peter!
, Church was large and beautifully
, ornamented tree at the base d
/ which lay presents for each child
! which were distributed at th'
/ proper time. This was interspers
ed with singing closing with an ap
propriate address from the rector