The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1952-12-19

lege Ii was not long before Christ T
mas, and l had been looking for
ward TO it. Most of the people in /
Formosa are not Christians but /
Buddhists; therefore they do not |
celebrate Christmas, and there are /
even quite a few who do not know
the meaning of Christmas When
was in Formosa / had known much
about Christmas in the US. by
reading newspapers and foreign
magazines. so that my first Christ
mas i'm the US. was my great ex-
pectation.
saw many Christmas trees in
front Of houses, and heard many
children singing Christmas songs,
and the people walking in the
street seemed as busy as if they
were trotting. The nearer Christ
mas came. the more active and
happier became all the students in
school Most of the conversations
among the students were about
Christmas. They were so happy
that on the day before Christmas
vacation one of them was dressed
just like Santa Claus and some
greeted each student in every
room with MERRY Christmas" 8"
They were singing Christmas
songs and jumping for Joy. But
though it was a great commotion.
il was, for me, wonderfully beau
tiful scene | thought that if there
were no Santa Claus, how taste
less and dry Christmas would be
for every child
During the Christmas vacation
stayed in school On Christmas
Eve. when everybody was at home
perhaps with his family gather
ing around that well-decorated
Christmas tree, listening to grand
mother telling Christmas stories
and father was smiling, some
times agreeing with grandmother.
while mother was busy preparing
for a small Christmas party
was thinking of my family my
parents and only brother and
could scarcely press back my
tears.
After my supper / went TO watch
an operate show on our television
with some friends That night my
mind was strained taut, 81 that
could hear the conversation very
clearly and overcome my sleepi-
ness all night. When il was nearly
~ O'Clock we went into the church
which was already full of people
After having found place for my
self, closed my eyes calmly. An
unspeakably solemn feeling GOV
cred my whole body as if Gods
hand were calming ny tenscness.
Opening my eyes. ! saw Christ
mas crib in front of me; il re
minded me of many stories about
Jesus Christ. AT last | closed my
eyes again and prayed almighty
God to grant us eternal peace
which everybody is longing for
Having returned to my room.
lay down on the bed. but could
scarcely sleep, though | was tired
out II was the first time that /
took part in the Midnight Mass
and, am sure, it will remain i'm
my mind forever.
The following day | woke up
very early. although had slept
so little the previous night AS
soon as l had come out of my
room | met our ianitor. He asked,
instead of greeting me with ''Mer-
ry Christmas" Did Santa Claus
come to see you last night" 1
was at loss to answer his queS-
ton Really, Santa Claus is very
kind and viii take care of every
child not only on Christmas but al
any other time But now he does
not arouse my curiosity anymore.
That morning received a i
Christmas card from an unknown
lady Therefore | called on her in
the afternoon Upon coming into
her drawing room. | was surprised
TO find so many gifts occupying
most of the room We sat down !