Evening star., 1951-12-24
All Worlds Christians
Begin Observance Of
Birthday Of Jesus
BY the Assoeiaisd Press

Christians the world over who
have failed for centuries to find
the peace Christ preached, cele-
brated Christmas eve today in
many languages. customs and ira
ditionS.
President Truman is scheduled
to press button in independence,
Mo-, this evening to light the ma
tional community Christmas tree
In Washington and broadcast his
annual Christmas message.
In Vatican City Pope Plus XII
again made an impassioned plea
for peace. 1t was the pontiff' S
18th Christmas message since his
enthronement.
In Korea. in Europe, even be-
hind the Iron Curtain. praises
were sung for the Nativity. Sol
diers of the more affluent coun-
tries fighting In Korea and stand
ing duty in Western Europe or
ganized parties for the children
Of the countries where they them
selves are foreigners.
Pilgrims Visit Bethlehem.
In the Holy Land, torn by the
1948 war between Arabs and Jews,
Moslem Jordan relaxed its bar
riers on the holy shrines of Chris
tianity to let pilgrims visit Beth
lehem and the Old City of Jeru-
salem. Jordan occupies both, but
for the second straight year is
letting 2,500 Christians in from
Israel to worship.
The first of a series of Christ
mas services in the Holy Land
was held yesterday in Nazareth of
Galilee, where Jesus was reared.
1t was held in the Nazareth
church maintained by the South
ern Baptist Church in the United
States.
In Europe, American soldiers,
sailors and airmen are playing
host to more than a quarter mil
lion needy, children at hundreds
Of holiday parties
The three Allied commandants
OF Western Germany donated a
total of $47,60 to make the sea-
son a bit cheerier for poor kids
and old folks in West Berlin. It'll
60 mostly for shoes and clothing.
Gen. and Mrs. Dwight D. Eisen-
mower planned an "old-fashioned
American Christmas at home
home being their quarters at
SHAPE just outside of Paris. A
lew close friends will help them
put away the turkey.
The same fare goes to all Ameri-
can forces overseas hot turkey
dinner for every CT. even on the
front lines of Korea.
Moscow Looks Festive.
In Moscow. foreigners went
about their prayerful tribute to
Christ. The Russian capital looked
a bit festive in preparation for the
celebration of New Years.
Spasso House, the United States
Embassy residence in Moscow,
planned Christmas morning sery-
ices to be conducted by the Bishop
OF F'ulham England).
The Russians traditionally set
up trees in their homes for New
Years like Westerners' Christmas
trees. Gifts are exchanged, but
the celebration is without religious
significance officially.
The Russian Santa Claus Is
called Red Moroz," or Grand
father Frost. He looks lot like
old Kris Kringle.
At Frankfurt United States
High Commissioner John j. Nc
Cloy and his wife will hold open
house Christmas afternoon for
all Americans and Germans work.
ing for him.
The eight-day Jewish festival
Of Hanukkah started at sundown
yesterday with ceremonies in syn
agogues and homes throughout
the world. Children exchanged
gifts as candles were lit.
Hanukkah, which usually falls
about the same time as the Christ
mas-New Year holidays, COM
the rededication of the
Temple of Jerusalem by the Mac
cabeeS about 1000 years after
they defeated the Syrian-Greek
King Antiochus.
In the United States, shoppers
throughout the country today
made last-minute purchases for
the Christmas holiday.
Postmen were making final de-
liveries of heavy Christmas mail. |
the New York postoffice said it
has handled the greatest volume
of yule mail in it's history during
the last three weeks.