davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Milford chronicle., 1955-12-23
A Day Little Changed BY Time

One of the fine things about Christmas Day
is that it doesn't change much with the pass
ing of years. Only the surface aspects change,
and man, filled with nostalgia for the past,
ignores these as resolutely as possible.
We speak of the "old-time Christmas" and
enshrine it on greeting cards, but in what
important respect does it differ from today S
celebration?
While it is doubtful that any home can
properly celebrate Christmas without having
some children around, it must be admitted
that they are a mixed blessing. The night
before is always a fatiguing uneasy one. The
rising hour on Christmas morning is so in
tolerably early that only the robust are equal
to it. The question always comes up whether
the whole process of opening gifts and trying
out new toys shall be completed before break
fast is put under way. The elders, weak from
upset routine and deferred coffee, invariably
lose this battle to the youngsters, whose appe-
tite gladly waits on more important mat
ters.
While Christmas morning has it's excite
ments not equaled later in the day for children,
it is the afternoon, with it greater opportunity
for quiet pleasures. that makes Christmas
memorable for the adults of the family. This
is the day of all the year that home, its hearth
fire, its visits from the truest Of old friends
its telephone calls to and from distant points
an improvement not available on the old-time
Christmas-se best. Then. if ever, the
worlds troubles are kept at arms ength
where they dwindle to proper size Now it is
apparent, as we should have known all the
time that what really counts is the warm
heart, the old friend, the loved and loving
child, the reasonable satisfaction with one
lot the mOmentary pause in foolish striving
No one would be so blind as to contend that
ours is perfect society, but there is ground
for satisfaction that our poor today are at
least cared for in a more humane fashion and
in way less damaging to their seIf-respect
Milford chronicle., 1955-12-23

its rapidity. Perhaps as some have said,
spiritual force no science can discover Gre
ated this marvellous mechanism against all
the apparent laws Of nature The ability to
believe in such a spiritual force is part Of
the essential nature Of all humanity and
lends meaning and substance to individual
lives, hopes and aspirations.
Once again this Christmas season Chris
tians everywhere will rejoice within their
hearts as they commemorate the birth of Him
whose teachings of humility. faith, RESPONSE
sility and love hold the answer to most Of
the worlds problems
sublimation of human nature which re-
suited in fewer actions being motivated by
greed, jealousy, and hope Of selfish gain would
make it mandatory for nations to observe
code of honor in their dealings just as re-
sponsible individuals must. It is not too
much to believe that the spiritual force that
created the marvel of the human mind will
show the way to the wisdom and strength
necessary to make this better world-one
of peace founded on fair dealing and trust
between all peoples.
Milford chronicle., 1955-12-23

With the Christmas holiday season rush
ing toward a climax, there is not much time
left to give thought to the plight of those most
in need Of live and help at this time Of year.
The i'll at Christmas-especially those in
mental hospitals-are too often completely
left out.
Stories are already in the news of special
programs and parties to brighten the holidays
for homeless children and various hospital
inmates, but at best these are only scattered
evidences of the work necessary to meet a
need which again and again rises beyond the
capacities of the earnest and devoted groups
dedicating themselves to it.
Word from many hospitals throughout the
nation, especially hospitals for the mentally
i'll. indicates that more than 40 per cent of
Milford chronicle., 1955-12-23

make it possible for persons who do not share
the Christian faith to join in the joy and
warmheartedness of festive season. What
we call, and rightly the Christmas spirit knows
no limitations of creed or mode of worship. For
that reason every Christian should welcome
those of differing religious faiths to join in
this celebration of peace and goodwill, of joy
and thanksgiving. By the same token, such
Christians will themselves be more deeply
aware that this is also a religious festival
It is the commemoration Of the birth of Jesus.
It is the very foundation Of faith. 1t is time
therefore for meditation as well as celebration
1t is not too much to suggest that it should
also be time for prayer. Those prayers, typi-
cal of Christynas. will naturally be the voicing
Of worship and praise. And Of thanksgiving.
But they can also remember those who need
sustaining in hardship or grief. Not every
Christmas will be merry" So all of Us who
have been blessed with abundance can make
our own petition for those who are less fortu-
nate. We can ask that those who are sorrowful
can be comforted. that those who are downcast
can have hope that those who are suffering can
have relief
This. too, is in the spirit Of Christmas
Milford chronicle., 1955-12-23
A Jolly Idea Fer All That

Christmas never comes and goes without
at least one learned scientific discussion of
whether children should believe in Santa
Claus. There are those who believe that
psychological complications can arise if chill
dren are told that there is a Santa Claus, and
there are those who believe that even graver
completes will develop if they are told there
is not Santa Claus. Curiously, it is the
adults, not the children, who carry on the
debate most vOciferously; on the day after
Christmas especially, most youngsters are
perfectly willing to. take stock Of what Santa
has left them, whether ne is man, myth or
mother.
Just the same, the argument is under way
again. 'The British Medical Journal" learn
ed periodical. after weighing the pros and
cons, has come out in favor of Santa Claus
expressing the view that young children
Milford chronicle., 1955-12-23
The Christmas Child

Because Christmas is the celebration of
the birth of a child, it is the day when all small
citizens come into their own Jesus of Naza-
reth like any child of today's Delaware was
born into world of men who had once been
children. In big and little churches this day
will be read the story of a manger baby. AS
we listen, can remember that Herod had
once. been a child. PLATE and Judas. Peter and
John-all the names we know so well from
Gospel history, these had once been children
there was a Christmas to celebrate or tree
to deck before there had been achieved what
is spoken of as the Christian world.
In that world which struggles today for
enduring peace, it is worth remembering, too,
that none of the worlds wars has ever origi-
mated in the hearts of children. Whether they
laugh or cry, whether they hang stockings or
hang their heads, children do so in world
men have made and are making Yet thousands
of children-for we forget so easily-died cruel
Milford chronicle., 1955-12-23
ChristmasEvethe Time ofGoodCheer

out this afternoon? Faces are wreathed in
smiles. Greetings are upon the lips of the
men and women as they descend in the ele-
vators many struggling gamely to keep their
gaily wrapped gift packages from nudging
the ribs of the other passengers. Even in
the subway, long noted as a battle-ground for
laughter. They are going home to Christmas
weary standees, the warmth and pleasantness
of the occasion overflow into politeness-and
sometimes even into gallantry. What is there
about Christmas Eve that bestirs so happy a
transition? Why, everyone is going home,
They are going home to their families and
to their yule trees, soon to be 'bedecked in
tinsel and multicOlOred decorations. They
are going home to gifts and to feasting and
to singing. They are going home to crack
ling ireplaces and to warmth and to laugh
ter. They are going home to Christina
Eve
Milford chronicle., 1955-12-23

than in the old-time Christmas. PoOrhOuse is
a word that has almost vanished from the
language.
Nowadays our society and government have
imposed upon themselves, and not for just one
or two days year, the responsibility for see
ing to it that the poor at least don't starve.
But there is ample evidence that this has not
stifed individual generosity. It may, in fact.
be regarded as an encouraging judgment on
human nature that personal concern for the
lot of the less fortunate has so largely per-
sisted after government mas taken over major
responsibility.
This concern extends into business What
company or corporation, in our day, would
announce on Christmas Eve that it was cutting
the wages of its employees as did the South
Brooklyn Central Railroad on December "a,
1878. reducing its drivers from 50 a day to
$175?
If wages were lower in the old days, so
also were prices, of course. We can look back
with, envy to Christmas just fifty years ago
and how little it must have cost to stock the
kitchen for holiday dinner. Coffee was IS
cents pound or FIVE pounds for s115: "the
best No. 1 tea was IS cents pound lemons
Is cents a dozen, and sardines. fancy French,
al cents can.
But as we remarked earlier, it is only the
surface aspects that change. The huge old
kitchen range then burned wood or coal the
base-burner in the living room struggled to do
duty for several rooms, ice in the pitcher in
the bedroom had to be cracked in the morning
before washing the horse had to be harnessed
to carriage or sleigh before the round Of calls
could be made, candles or gas lights preceded
electricity these blessings, Inconvenience or
hardships, you win. were subordinate to
Merry Christmas in those bygone days. just
as the automobile. the airplane-and even
television-cannot wholly distract us today
from the basic good-heartedness and simple
pleasures Of this hest season Of all
Milford chronicle., 1955-12-23
Sharing Christmas

Christmas has many facets 1t has its own
traditions. its own symbols. It covers a wide
range. It is a religious celebration of the first
Importance. 1t is a secular festival that is
worldwide.
There are the lights, as there should be,
for this is time of joy, and light is a symbol
of that joy. There is music. This is right both
because times of deep emotion can evoke mu-
steal expression and because the Christmas time
and the Christmas story have called forth some
of the worlds greatest music. There is the cere-
mony of giving And that is right, both in com
emoration of the gift to the world that is the
basis for Christmas and in celebration of our
human need to express love in giving and re-
ceiving. There is family reunion because we
recognize the need and the rightness of being
together.
There has been criticism at times Of the
great emphasis that has been placed on the
secular aspect of the Christmas celebrations
There has been tendency to deplore the en-
phasis on decoration and giving. This criticism
is valid only to a limited extent
Precisely because the symbols and associa-
tons Of Christmas are so broadly human they
have general value ito ali mankind" They
Milford chronicle., 1955-12-23

Traditional Christmas cards often depict
a small town with the Star Of Bethlehem shin
ing down over a little white church. The
hamlet perhaps symbolizes the American con-
cept Of the Yuletide season as a time Of peace
and Of prayer, for there admittedly is a spirit
Of good fellowship found in the little towns
and villages that is lacking in the big city.
There are no skyscrapers shown on the
Christmas cards, and no city streets or roar
ing subways, to amplify urban clamor and
congestion. And yet it is unfortunate that the
Christmas card designers cannot capture the
spirit that actually pervades the large city
on Christmas Eve. Each great city. in it's
owns way becomes a hubbub of cheerful,
helpful humanity as the climax of the yule
celebration is reached
Have you ever been in a big city on
Christmas Eve and watched the giant office
buildings pour forth their occupants through
Milford chronicle., 1955-12-23

great joy, which shall be to all people.
IL For unto you is born this day in the
city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the
Lord.
r. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye
shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling
clothes, lying in a Manager
!. 10. And suddenly there was with the angel
multitude Of the heavenly host praising God,
and saying.
H. Glory to God in the highest, and on
earth peace good will toward men.
Is And it came to pass. as the angels were
gone away from them into heaven, thes hep
herds said one to another, Let US now go even
unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is
come to pass, which the Lord hath made known
unto
16. And they came with haste, and found
Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a
manger.
II. And when they had seen it, they made
known abroad the saying which was told them
concerning this child
49, And all they that heard it wondered
at those things which were told them by the
shepherds.
10. But Mary kept all these things, and
pondered them in her heart.
Milford chronicle., 1955-12-23

l. And it came to pass in those days. that
there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus.
that all the world should be taxed.
q (And this taxing was first made when
Cyrenius was governor of syria.)
g. And all went to be taxed, every one into
his own city.
A. And Joseph also went up from Galilee,
out Of the city of Nazareth into Judaea, unto
the city of David which is called Bethlehem;
because he was of the house and lineage of
David:)
s. To be taxed with Mary his espoused
wife, being great with child.
G. And SO it was, that while they were
there, the days were accomplished that she
should be delivered.
Z. And she brought forth her frstborn
son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,
and laid him in manger; because there was
no room for them in the inn. y
g. And there were in the same country
shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch
over their flock by night.
9. And 10. the angel of the Lord came upon
them, and the glory of the Lord shone round
about them: and they were sore afraid.
10. And the angel said unto them. Fear
not for, behold, I bring you good tfdings of
Milford chronicle., 1955-12-23

ly in great war which lasted through many
Christmases They did not die at the hands of
children. They died at the hands of men,
December rs is a child's Christmas. A child
in its helplessness, its willingness to love and
be loved, its gladness at ACCEPTING the world
as new, bright thing, shining toy of life,
fifty receives gifts laid at its feet, even as gifts
were once brought to a Bethlehem stable bed.
The men who brought these gifts gave them to
one they believed held in his baby fingers power
which was to save and renew the world They
brought their offerings to one they believed
was to become a future Prince of Peace.
We may, indeed lay gifts before any
child this Christmas. For if the world is to
be greatly changed, Z peace and good will
are to be ours amcng Dations, it must be the
work and the Inheritance of those who now
in stable a garage, a tenement or a
palace, are Christmas children in world of
men.
Milford chronicle., 1955-12-23

the patients go through Christmas after
Christmas without a visitor or any other
recognition from their relatives and friends
on the outside. These are by far the worst
of, the most lonely, and yet perhaps the ones
who would most benefit by the smallest gift
or shortest visit by their loved ones
1t is sadly ironic that while hundreds Of
bouncing youngsters receive an overwhelming
floor of Christmas good things oftsn more
than is good for them. this tiny boon to the
hospitalized is withheld in so many cases.
If everyone who could-parhcularly friends
and relatives-tried to help with some token
of good will and encouragement, the old pat
tern of neglect might be broken this Christ
mas. There are few among US who can't join
the effort
Milford chronicle., 1955-12-23

should be advised that he really exists To
especially cynical children says the British
publication, it should be explained that Santa
is truly make-believe. but a jolly idea for all
that"
This would appear to be a satisfactory res
olution of the problem It was a jolly idea,
indeed, to find the tree so brightly decorated
Christmas morning, to take note of the cheer
full packages beneath it, to sense the spirit that
brought warm and gentle glow to what other
wise might have been set down as a rather
chilly winters day. One can't help wondering,
though, whether there really are many cynical
children around today-the kind who would
rather curl up with copy Of "The British
Medical Journal" than marvel at the friendly,
graceful tree that has blossomed overnight in
the living room and filled the house with
radiance
Milford chronicle., 1955-12-23
Let True Spirit Of Christmas Rule

Complaint is heard each year that the cele-
bTatiOn Of Christmas has become more and
more commercialized and that the religious
significance Of the day has been subordinated
TO the material
In the. weeks preceding Christmas, much
CI this criticism would seem justified In the
hnrly-burly of preparation for the holiday
there is such preoccupation. with tinsel and
toys with Santa Slaus and his reindeer, with
turkey dinners and glazing decorations that
the real meaning Of Christmas is hard put
to survive.
But. somehow or other, it always does.
Christmas Day is still the birthday Of
Jesus, and once it dawns all the commercial
lied veneer vanishes like snowflake in the
SUM- The true Christmas spirit rules our
hearts. and the message Of peace goodwill
toward mehe has no trouble getting through,
despite all the tinsel on the tree
Churches everywhere this day of the Ma
tiyity will be thronged with worshipers Civ
ing their first thoughts of the day to the
Infant Saviour. The old hymns Of Christmas
will fill the air. the carols whose words no
Milford chronicle., 1955-12-23
Merry Christmas!

Christmas is the heartbreak Of being for
gotten, the bare rooms and the chill thoughts
of the friendless and the destitute. It is a
child's nose pressed to the toy-shop window
and the pennies saved for loved ones pres
ent. 1t is all the sick-beds in the land that
hold boys and girls unable to run laughing
to Christmas tree-and the happiness to be
found in helping the helpless.
Christmas is all these things, and much
more. Il is an Infant lying in the straw of
a manger, while an angelic choir gives voice
to the first Christmas hymns. It is a blessed
gift, and so we say:
Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas to
everybody"
Milford chronicle., 1955-12-23

one seems ever to forget the prayers first sung
at Bethlehem by chorus of angels.
In countless home, the spirit Of Christ
mas will find expression in families met
in joyful reunion, sharing affection and trust
and offering thanks to God for the bless
ings given them in the past year. 1t will
find expression in the merriment of chill
dren and in the wondrous realization that
there is greater delight in giving than in
receiving.
Fears Of commercialization and its ex-
cesses melt fast in the warmth of Christmas
charity Mans love for his fellowman, and
most especially for the less fortunate, is
given fullest play. The hungry are fed and
the needy clothed and the sick comforted.
There is a general impulse to assist others,
to relieve the afflicted, to make some child
happy e--s--sss 4--~s
That is part Of the spirit of Christmas
and it has its source is no slogans of ali age
Of commercials but in a bare stable in the
Judean hills, where lowly shepherds worship
ed and the shadow Of a Cross fell across a
manger.
Milford chronicle., 1955-12-23

Christmas is home and family and chill
drens laughter. It is the smell Of pine needles
and homemade fruit-cake. 1t is starlight in
the frosty dawn and young ones waiting with
breathless impotence for the great day to get
under way.
Christmas is peace and goodwill and low
ing kindness It is friends sweeping through
the doorway with gusts of gaiety It is holly
and mistletOe and a child starry-eyed with
wonder at his first Christmas tree It is turkey
and all the trimmin's and Mothers pies and
See how tall your Johnny's grown"
Christmas is the warmth of being remem-
bered and the greater warmth of giving It
is as boisterous as a boy with a brand-new
drum and as serene as candlelight at the win
Milford chronicle., 1955-12-23
How Silent Night Came Into Being

The time, the day before Christmas Eve
1913: the place, tiny mountain village in
Austria. The organ of St Nicholas Church
was broken, and the organist, Franz GruBer
could not repair it in time for the midnight
mass, for which he had planned a musical
program. He went to the young parish priest
Joseph Mohr. in distress.
Father Mohr agreed to write words
for simple melody if Gruber would
Milford chronicle., 1955-12-23

compose one which could be sung to the
accompaniment Of a guitar. which the or
ganist played. Walking home that cold. clear
night, after having administered the last
rites to a dying woman, the priest gazed
upon the heavenly canopy Of stars, ahd the
inspiration for the verses came to him.
Next day, Gruber set them to music, and
Silent Night Holy Night" was given to the
world.
Milford chronicle., 1955-12-23

serve. To bus and taxi drivers who at
Christmas are on hand to shuttle party
bound folk about, dropping them of at
corners or before bright dOorways, and
going on their lonely ways To those
who man the power stations, on whom
depend the brililance Of Christmas lights
land the operations of thousands of toy
electric trains). To those who in broad
casting studios and newspaper Offices
keep watch over the news of a quiet
world, at Christmas.
And Merry Christmas!" to all
mothers and fathers, at this season, who
have planned and scrimped and done
without so that Christmas for their
children would be a bright and glowing
day to remember-the mothers and
fathers who stay up half the night help
ing Santa Claus to assemble trains, to
trim trees and to transform living rooms
into fairylands, and who manage some
how to be surprised, on Christmas Day,
at the wonder of the tree and the pres
ents beneath it. And. of course, a ring
ing Merry Christmas!" to children
everywhere. There is not one Of Is
who would not like to be, just for Christ
mas Day, a child-to see a bullying
Christmas stocking through a child S
eyes. to 60 from gift to gift with child's
wonder and delight, Merry Christmas
to all children-and may the spirit Of
this day ever shine before them bright
and clear!
Milford chronicle., 1955-12-23
A Merry Christmas To All

And a Merry Christmas!" to all those
who man the ships at sea, who in the cold
December night watches are remembering
stockings hung by chimneys, and Christmas
dinner tables around which heads will be bow
ed in grace.
To the many others who are found at their
posts on Christmas, seasons greetings! To the
trainment, in whose cars are belated gifts and
travellers hurrying home the engineers whose
Christmas lights are red and green signals
along the rails. To the pilots whose Christmas
journeys are lit by flashing beacons below and
steady starlight above, high in the cold, still
December sky.
Merry Christmas," to all those who on
this holiday in hospitals, and to those who
faithfully and patiently are ministering to
their needs To the nurses whom many cor
ridors this night-will take few moments
from their duties to join in candlelight pro-
cessions, bringing the joyous message of
Christmas carols to the ill. To the doctors
who have no holiday, but continue on this day
to bring comfort and hope to those they
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-04
TOKYO.

II it isn't mentioned in all the
guide books to Japan. 1t should
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-04

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