Evening star., 1951-12-25
Hope That Arose
With Nativity
.Pervades D. T..
Bright-Eyed Children
Hear Greatest Story
RetoId With Gifts

KerOIQ WIN 0IffS
Christmas joy pervaded Wash
ington homes today with the
eternal hope born with the Ma
tivity.
In the churches, in the shouts
of Merry Christmas!" and in
the exchange of gifts, the Great
est Story of all time was retold
again and again.
The hubbub of preparation
over, it was the day when chill
dren ran bright-eyed through the
house, their eager anticipation at
last answered with glistening
trees and shiny toys.
Institutions Hold Parties.
Travel seemed almost at a
standstill today. the lull between
the getaway hustle and the get
backbone hustle due to start
tonight.
By midnight railroads, air lines
and buses should be taxed with
the homecoming throngs, the
tired but happy travellers who
spent Christmas with relatives.
In many charitable institutions.
special parties and dinners en-
livened the day. CaYolers brought
the message of the birth of the
Prince of Peace. The bearers of
gifts were anxious that no one
would be overlooked.
Giving a hearty assist to Santa
Claus was Jim Gibbons Country
Store on Radio Station WMAL.
For distribution to the needy,
the program collected 52,113 cans
of food, $500 quarts of milk,
3,190 pounds of meat. $3.50 pounds
of potatoes, 400 pounds of candy
and nuts, 10 crates of fruit, 1,700
items of clothing and 1890 toys,
in addition to $3.400 in cash con-
tribuUions converted into food and
clothing.
Postal Volume Sets Record.
The Post Office relaxed today
after setting an all-time record
for mail and parcel post deliveries.
Through Sunday 68 million let
ters had been sent from WASH
ington, jump of a million over
last year. Incoming letters
reached 59,987 900, an increase of
about is million. Parcels reached
a figure of 10000. about $4,000
more than last year.
Washington's Christmas had
another traditional tinge shared
by the Nation. It was the lighting
Of the White House tree by Presi-
dent Truman.
In his Christmas message Mr..
Truman told the American people
the world is seeing the rise of a
new spirit of hope for a just and
lasting peace.
Tree Lit by Telegraph.
This, he said. may result from
the sacrifices of free men arming
and fighting together.
The message was broadcast
from his home in Independence,
Mo. Just before that he pressed
a telegraph key, which was the
signal for lighting up the White
House Christmas tree here. The
4O-foot Norway spruce, it's 900
lights shining against 1000 orna-
ments, cast warm glow over the
grounds. Nearly 1000 persons
witnessed the ceremony.
"As we think about Korea we
should also think of another
Christmas, 10 years ago. in 1941,"
Mr.. Truman declared. THAT was
just after Pearl Harbor, and the
whole world was at war. Then al
most every country, almost every
home, was ~overshadowed by fear
and sorrow"
New Spirit Rises.
Mr.. Truman added that the
world "is still in danger tonight"
but a great change has come
about"
"A new spirit has been born and
has grown up in the world" he
said, although perhaps we do not
fully realize it. The struggle we
are making today has a new and
hopeful meaning.
Tonight we have a different
goal and a higher hope. Despite
difficulties, the free nations of the
world have drawn together solidly
for a great purpose; not solely to
defend themselves: not merely to
win a bloody war if it should come.
but for the purpose of creating a
real peace-a peace that shall be
a positive reality and not an empty
hope; a just and lasting peace"
Mr.. Truman said the victory
we seek is the victory of peace"
THAT victory is promised to u.s..
ne added. 1T was promised to us
long ago. In the words of the angel
choir that sang over Bethlehem:
Glory to God in the Highest, and
on earth peace, good will toward
men,"
The 1851 lighting of the living