Evening star., 1945-12-23
lust Between
Ourselves
By Philip II. Love

LIZ yOu lCAllCiHpCI alIC Aooe PCdSS@
time Christmas?
December Is, 1910, it was-five
long, trying years ago. Much of the
rest of the world was at war, but
the United States was still destined
to enjoy nearly another year OF
peace. Norway, Denmark, the Low
Countries and France had been cap
tured by the Germans, and their
peoples enslaved; Great Britain was
staggering from the effects of the
Nazis' blitz bombings. And, on the
other side of the globe, tired old
China was doing its best to stand
off the Japanese.
America was hoping not to have
to fight, but trying to prepare just
in case.
1t wasn't the merriest Christmas
in our history, but it was a heap
merrier than any of the others we've
known since. The community
Christmas tree was bright with col
orful decorations; the crowds that
gathered to see its light turned on
by the late President Roosevelt were
gay. The war and all its misery
seemed long way off.
Even as late as the following De-
cember 6, it didn't seem great deal
closer. The Jap ENJOYS were in
Washington. seeking peace, they
said; the newspapers were filled
with references to the gravity" of
the situation, but the general pub
lie wasn't paying too much atten-
ton. Nearly everybody was having
too much fun getting ready for
Christmas. The stores were filled
with fine gifts, and Santa Claus
was in about as jolly a mood as
ever.
Remember?
And do you remember, too, that
numbing Sunday afternoon, just 18
days before Christmas? :. The un-
believeable, the impossible, had hap
ened :. We were at war. -.
That Christmas was far from
merry. and each succeeding one be-
came less so. More and more homes
were broken up; casualties mount
ed; life became more difficult for
every one. We tried to retain some
thing of the old-time Christmas
spirit, but it was sham, and we
knew it. There just wasn't any real
! Christmas-and never could be
while the war lasted. To those who
accepted the st. James Bibles
Peace on earth, good will toward
men, as to those who preferred the
Latin Vulgate's Peace on earth to-
ward men of good will" the holiday
had become as hollow as the orna-
ments on the darkened community
tree. The spirit of Christmas had
indeed, gone out with those lights
Now. happily, all that is behind
the lights are on again. all merry
; and bright.
i We don't have to force a falss
note of happiness into our voice.
as we say Merry Christmas" Tht
words have recaptured most of theil
old meaning.
The gifts you'll find under YOU
: tree Tuesday morning may not bt
up to prewar standards in eithel
quality or quantity; your father o.
brother may not be home to enjoy
; them with you; there may be man,
other imperfections in this far from
perfect world. But, for most of us
the darkest days OF our lives are
behind, and we can face the future
with fewer misgivings than we've
felt at any other time in the last
four years.
Yes, the words are the same as
they were last year and the three
previous years, but their meaning is
of distinctly prewar quality
Merry Christmas!
Michael Kastanek, who wins q
prize today with his story of how
he earned money for Christmas, sent
this note with his contribution:
This is the third time ever tried
to win something. The first time
I won a teapot, and the second time
a pie. The teapot came from Balti-
more and was broken, but I didn't
,, care. I don't drink tea, anyhow"