davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Milford chronicle., 1957-12-20
Those Who Watch

the stone with which Cain slew his brother
Abel has been transformed into weapons that
can slay hundreds of thousands of Abels at a
stroke, and where greed and lust for power
threaten to turn devastation loose.
To meet the peril, to work to bring peace
to the earth, needs labor, wisdom and devo-
ton. 1t needs more-it needs the spirit of this
season, when, for time, men turn away from
the pressures and animosities that are too
much with them and encourage warmth and
friendliness and compassion. 1t is good that
families and friends should come together in
these days. that gifts should be exchanged,
carols sung, and in companionship to share
the color and light with which tradition has
endowed the Christmas tide. Yet even amid
the gaiety there should be time to stand aside
while to withdraw little as the shepherds
did.
tinseled tree is fine and bright, and God
rest ye merry, gentlemen" warns the heart.
Fellowship pushes back darkness and fear.
But it was in the night, alone with their sheep,
that the shepherds heard the great message.
And even in great city, even in a throng, it is
possible to summon up the memory of that
night near Bethlehem; to hear again the null
titude of the heavenly host saying:
GLORY to God in the highest and on earth
peace, good will toward men,"
Milford chronicle., 1957-12-20
Sdntd's Reindeer Unknown
Until Poem Publicized Them

the rector of st. Paul's Church in Troy N. Y.
She asked permission to read it to the chill
dren of her fathers parish She also sent the
poem, minus the authors name, to the editor
of the Troy, N. Y. Sentinel 1t appeared there
for the first time on December %, 1923.
The editor, Orville Holley, wrote 1--WE do
not know to whom we are indebted for the
following description of that unwearied patron
of children, that homely but delightful personi-
fication of parental kindness-Santa Claus, his
costume and his equipage, as he goes about
visiting the firesides of his happy land, laden
with Christmas bounties. but from whomsoever
ii may have come we give thanks for it"
1t didn't appear with the authors name until
1887 when it came out in book entitled 1.-The
New York Book of Poetry"
In 1880 the Sentinel employed wood en-
graver named Myron King to draw the first
picture of Santa to go with their annual poem.
Cartoonist Thomas Nast's version of the
red-garbed, .pipe-smoking Santa first appeared
in 1869.
Milford chronicle., 1957-12-20
The Message Of The Mogi
On Christmus

When the Star led them to rude stable and
they found not enthroned majesty but new
born Child lying in a manger the Wise Men
nothing incongruous. They knelt in won
der.
They had brought with them rare treasures
to offer the King whom they had sought; gifts
of gold, frankincense and myrrh fit for any
sovereign. In the stable, these worldly oiIeT-
ings did not seem so important, not as import
ant, for instance, as the peace and serenity
that filled the place, not as important as the
alteration in shepherd boys eyes as they
looked upon a Child.
Faith and love were the ingredients of that
Christmas scene and they remain today the
same essentials in Christmas devotion. Faith
in the Star that led the Magi to crib. faith
in the things of the spirit that lead us
away from solely material considerations
Love of God, love of neighbor, that brought
peace to those blessed enough to find cave
carved in the Judean hills, and that can bring
peace today everywhere earth and good
will toward men,"
Milford chronicle., 1957-12-20
The Nativity : ST Luke 2 l-l9

great joy, which shall be to all people
H. For unto you is born this day, in the
city of David, Saviour, which is Christ the
Lord.
H. And this shall be sign unto you; Ye
shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling
clothes lying in manger.
49, And suddenly there was with the angel
a multitude of the heavenly host praising
God, and saying,
IA. 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, the shep-
herds said one to another, Let us go even
unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is
come to pass, which the Lord hath made
known unto us.
Is. And they came with haste, and found
Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in
manger.
IT. 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.
49, But Mary kept all these things, and
pondered them il her heart.
Milford chronicle., 1957-12-20
Christmas 1857

tablets to be enshrined in great temples which
time would destroy. He wrote them deep with
in the hearts and minds of living men and
women where His message could not be stamp
ed into oblivion by any sort of ruthless oppres-
sion nor worn away by the impartial attrition
of time This is the strength of Christianity
that it needs no outward trappings. With its
message of hope and concern for the dignity
and worth of each human being, it brings the
greatest comfort and burns the brightest with
in those most sorely oppressed. This Christ
mas of 1867 let us all pause once more to
burnish anew our thoughts of Him Who came
to build Kingdom in our hearts. His teach
ings lend meaning to the humdrum life, dig
nifty to the unfortunate, hope to people who
have none and courage to those who must do
the impossible This troubled Christmas all
men would do well to remember His out
stretched Hand and His words TO one who was
sinking into a stormy sea, "Oh thou of little
faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"
Milford chronicle., 1957-12-20

"And there were in that same country"
we read in the Gospel according to ST. Luke,
shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch
over their fiocks by night"
1t may be that a newspaperman would
linger over that part of St Luke's message
because of white nights spent by chatter
ing teletype machine, while most of the world
seemed asleep. But policemen may have
thought of it on lonely beats, and nurses, in the
still corridors of a darkened hospital. A
telephone lineman on an emergency call; a
quartermaster at great ships wheel; pilot
winging through quiet spaces of the night; a
priest by bedside; soldier before the sweep
and flicker of radar screen in Arctic soli-
tudes-all feel kinship with the men
who watched under a star-bright sky near
Bethlehem nearly two millenia ago.
For those who do the worlds work at odd
hours experience kind of detachment-but
that does not isolate them from their fell
lows Perhaps the sense of communion is even
intensified by solitary service.
All the world is watching now, and listen
ing for echo of the words of the choired
angels that brought good tiding of great joy,
which shall be to all people," to the shep-
herds of Judaea. 1t is hard to glimpse that
promise on this stormy earth, where there is
pain and fear and hunger for so many; where
Milford chronicle., 1957-12-20
CHRONICLE MILFORD DELAWARE FRIDAY DECEMBER

The great Star that rode the sky that first
Christmas night was visible to all with eyes
to see. But there were few to pay it any at
tention. Most persons in Bethlehem were too
busy with their own concerns to go star-gaz-
ing. Leave that to the shepherds out on the
hills.
If the inn-keeper had not been in such a
hurry to slam the door two wearied travel
ers seeking shelter he, too, might have seen
the Star, and might have held the latch-and
had King for guest.
On the high-road to Bethlehem that night
were three men who had followed the Star
from great distance. They have come down
to us as the Wise Men from the East. They
were wise enough to discern in the bright new
orb no ordinary star, but beacon to lead
them to a King.
If they had told anyone about their journey
and their reasons for it, they probably would
have been laughed at. But they were doubt
less wise enough to hold their peace, and go.
They had the gift of faith; the gift of the
Mag
Milford chronicle., 1957-12-20

And it came to pass in those days. that
there went out decree from Caesar Angus
tus, 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:)
5. To be taxed with Mary his espoused
wife, being great with child.
6. And it was, that while they were
there, the days were accomplished that she
should be delivered.
7. And she brought forth her frstborn
son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes
and laid him in a manger; because there was
no room for them in the inn.
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, 1 bring you good tidings of
Milford chronicle., 1957-12-20

our own cookies have come from abroad, in
cluding the pfeffernusse, cinnamon star and
gingerbread-man. And many tasty modern
cookies are chock-full of calories and delight.
The Firms celebrate with rice pudding studded
with Almonds the French with BLACK pud-
ding and Strasbourg pie" the Norwegians
with Yulekake; the Italians with Magi cakes,
fried cells and melons.
But behind all the feasting, roasting and
baking there remains that oft-forgotten fig
in the kitchen. True, in some instances
it may be an expert chef in restaurant in
others a remote being who prepared the stuff
via deep freeze or some other heat-and-serve
arrangement
But in most cases it is the little woman"
the same who addressed most of the Christ
mas cards. wrapped most of the gifts, sent
share to the needy, decorated most of the
house, and who will have it all to clean up
the morning after the morning after the
night before Christmas.
To her. our special wishes for truly
Merry Christmasi" In that kitchen, and
out
Milford chronicle., 1957-12-20
The Greens

So we go forth to gather the green's and
whether we go directly to the woods or to the
corner market or to the florist, the essential
purpose is the same. We would participate.
We would have near us and around us the
symbols of life and hope and belief. We would
make this season of holiday both beautiful and
meaningful, enrich it with old, unchaEging and
unchallenged truth.
For wreaths gather the oldest greens of
ALL the ground pine, the ground cedar, the
running pine, which were here when the earth
was young. They have known great beginnings
and have participated in great continuities,
We twine them into wreaths which in them
selves circles, without end. We deck our door
ways with the old old green's and renew their
meaning.
For boughs and trees to decorate we choose
among the somewhat younger greens-the pine
Milford chronicle., 1957-12-20
The Cdrols-And Christmas

ary to the Huron Indians, and it was in the
difficult Huron language. 30 Little Town of
Bethlehem" considered the best-known of
American carols, was written in Philadelphia,
the words by DR.. Phillips Brooks, rector of
Holy Trinity Church, the music by Lewis H.
Redner, the organist. ut Came Upon the Mid
night Clear" was the work of a minister in
Massachusetts. DR.. John Henry Hopkins, Jr.,
Episcopal rector in WilIiamsport Pa, compos-
ed I'VE Three Kings of Orient Are" And many
beautiful carols have been given to us by the
American Negro notably THE Cherry Tree
Carol" While most Christmas music currently
written is secular, perhaps the inspiration of
the carols-now often sung at home well as
in public, we are glad to say-may bring new
musical homage appropriate to the day.
Milford chronicle., 1957-12-20
Yule Customs Heritage Of Ages

During the Christmas season, a young child
is filled with wonder at the Christmas tree the
carols, the mistletoe, the Yule log, all the ira
1itons of the season-just as youngsters have
0een for many centuries
For the customs of the Christmas holidays
lave been handed down through the ages
The ceremony of burning the Yule log, for
Instance. dates back to the days of the Vikings.
Zach winter, at the feast of Juul, they lit huge
)ondres in honor of their god Thor.
Later, when they became Christians, they in
orporated their old custom into the new re-
igion, and at Christmas Eve festivities they
burned the Yule log at banquets.
Peace on earth, good will to men is the feel
ng symbolized by the rough wood. Wayfarers.
IN long journeys looked for it during the
Christmas season. They believed its flames
would burn out all wrongs and heartaches and
md feuds.
The log meant good luck, future happiness
nd, just to insure its potency, the charred
emains of the log were saved and used to light
he next years log
That parasiticaI plant--the mistletoe-had
,ther uses besides being an excuse to kiss
omeone The ancient British Druids held the
llant in great veneration. 1t was considered an
object of worship.
1t was the highlight of d special festival
leld by the Druids in honor of Tutanes, their
yod. Tutanes is believed to have been the
same god Baal mentioned in the Bible and
n his honor the Druids cut the mistletoe with
golden knife.
Later, the mistletoe became al friendly SYM
lol.
Gratitude for good crops shown, too,
1t the Christmas season. In Devonshire, Eng
and farmers and their friends took hot cakes
and cider into the orchards as an offering to
he most fruitful apple tree. The cake was
2laced il the fork of the tree and the cider
hrown over it,
Does your youngster gaze with wonder at
all the greenery that suddenly appears in the
house and in the shopping districts? Decorat-
ing of homes, churches and streets at Christ
mas time goes far back into history.
During the Middle Ages, streets were hung
with garlands of evergreens. The modern in
Milford chronicle., 1957-12-20

Matt IA rs "And in the fourth watch of the
night Jesus went unto them, walking on the
sea-"
Matt 14:29-31 "And he said, Come And
when Peter was come down out of the ship,
he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he
afraid; and beginning &c sink, he cried
saying. Lord, save me.
And Immediately Jesus stretched forth his
hand, and caught him, and said unto him, o
thou of little faith wherefore didst thou doubt? ??
The miracles which recorded in many
passages of the Bible had a profound effect
upon those whose lives were touched by them
because they were done with a calm authority
and confidence that spoke eloquently of their
divine origin. They were challenge to the
followers of Jesus during His ministry as a
physical presence and to us today to have
faith in Gods Messiah and act according to
His word
Jesus did not write His teachings on golden
Milford chronicle., 1957-12-20
Christmas A Day Of Meaning

self the pain of too exacting analysis of mo-
tive, and surrender to the pleasure chat comes
of being remembered, for reasons good, bad or
Indifferent.
While some of us are blessed with the self
sufficiency that makes solitude joyous, Christ
mas is poor day to exercise such talent
Poor indeed are those adults who spend that
day only with adults. If you must borrow a
child for a little while on Christmas That is
the way you will roll back time, discover the
real meaning of Christmas. Then your worries
and your sorrows vanish and the authentic
values emerge.
You will know then the worth of SO simple
a pleasure as laughter. You will know the
foolishness of waiting for Just or worldly
important cause to be happy.
Home for Christmasts What a warming of
the heart, what memories yes and for some of
us what heartbreaks that coincidence of words
brings. 1t is the elimination of preparations.
the gathering Of things and loved ones, the
cheer that comes from shutting the world out
side for few hours 1t is long day and a
short 1t is the day that begins with fam
lily and may permissibly close with old
friends
The Christmas tree lights go on early. stay
on late. At first there is lovely disorder. Some
where along the line father must gather up the
wrappings, the boxes. and burn them II he
can find a place in these days of apartments
and oil burners. Breakfast is late, and finds
everybody exhausted and somewhat weak but
subject to swift recovery.
Before too long the women folk have to turn
their attention to that Christmas dinner When
it is on the table, and this would be about mid
afternoon considerable company sits down.
In some households father will ask a blessing
on this house. regardless of what Charles Lamb
said about saying grace. 1t will be little
difficult to keep the younger members of this
company at table; they will be wanting to get
back to what was on the hearth or under the
Christmas tree. 1t will be little difficult to
get the older members away from the table.
For Christmas is day to linger with, and
tomorrow it will be day only to be recap
tured in memory, or recovered from with vain
regrets.
Milford chronicle., 1957-12-20

the spruce the fir. But they too have known
aeons os winters and equal aeons of springs,
and have persisted in the green of life. Theirs
Was the green which the ancients turned to for
confirmation when winters solstice came, and
the doubts of the long, long nights.
For gaiety we choose the bright-berried
green's whether they be the humble partridge
berry or the proud holly the green of continu
ity adorned with the splendor of blood-red ber-
res, symbol of life well as life ever
lasting. We choose them knowing that even
winter has its own beauty, its own bright prom
Use.
We gather the green's and the berries, and
we prepare to participate in the festival of the
Nativity. Thus we make it ours. Thus we be-
come a part of it, believing, making it holy
day as well as holiday. Making it affirmation
again of our enduring faith.
Milford chronicle., 1957-12-20

in case you had forgotten its origins, this
is the day we celebrate the birth of Child.
But it is a day to which we also bring our own
meaning. 1t is a season rich with memories,
embedded in traditions religious, spiritual,
emotional, favored with the sentiments of
home and family, warmed with the generosi-
ties and thoughtfulness that symbolic the
good life, the good man.
Christmas fulflls felt need. In what other
season does man sc generally speak his faith,
his yearning to believe his nobler instincts? :?
The child, placing its confidence in the exist
ence of Santa Claus, does so in the certainty
that there is kindness, benevolence that
surpasses the mundane 1t is a painful age
when the child learns that this was really
after all, only human goodness so near by.
Yet growing up brings it's consultations as do
all sorrows. For what child should not appre-
ciate father or mother who was good as
indeed identical with-Santa Claus?
The day is different from all other holidays
in being the only one so widely devoted to
thinking of others rather than self. There are
some churIish philosophers, of course, who
think there is genuinely unselfsh act or
thought.
For if Christmas is day that we make. in
sense, giving it the meaning that is in our
own hearts, it is also day that works its re-
generations, as we all recall when read of
Scrooge. Amid all the banalities, the cheapen-
ing, the commercializatioG of Christmas, we are
nevertheless rekindled with the warmth of do
ing good deed, and the surprises that come
though only here and there, perhaps-w1th be-
ing remembered unexpectedly by those we
thought to be mere passers-by.
1t is one of the joys of Christmas. or should
be- that we discover as make inventory for
greetings and gifts to be sent and then check
the incoming mail that we have more friends
and relatives-than we realized Some of these,
of course, grace the list on a rather unworthy
basis, for value received or future values ex-
pected.
Yet, as we constantly remind ourselves, this
is a season when must view all things char
itably. If we cannot believe the best of people,
what prospect is there for improving them? In
this sea son you would do well to Epare your
Milford chronicle., 1957-12-20

flowing white beard twinkling eyes,
cherry red nose and round belly like bowl
ful of jelly is our beloved Santa Claus.
But a little over a century ago, children
went to bed on Christmas Eve without visions
of sugar plums dancing in their heads or
thoughts of eight tiny reindeer pulling mini
ature sleigh full of toys.
The reason? Nobody could agree as to ex-
actly what st. Nick looked like. Then Dr.
Clement Clarke Moore, a professor at Colum-
bia University wrote his now famous poem
that starts: Twas the Night Before Christ
mas :"
Up to that time st. Nicholas was anything
a parent might wish to impose on his child-a
figure tall or short, fat or thin, happy or stern.
But DR.. Moore changed all that with his
portrait in words entitled "A Visit From Saint
Nicholas"
He wrote ii on Christmas Eve. 1922, for
his own children. And 1t might have sunk into
obscurity had not Harriet Butler heard it read
at the Moore home. She was the daughter of
Milford chronicle., 1957-12-20

terpretation of this is the strnging of brightly
colored electric lights on the streets Instead
of electric bulbs, the medieval people made do
with holly, bay, rosemary and laurel.
Queen Victoria's consort, Prince Albert is
known for many things, but one of the most
lasting, traditions he established in England
is the Christmas tree symbol OF the fes-
tive season.
Christmas trees were an ancient custom in
Germany, but, until the time of Albert, un-
known in England. He popularized the modern
Christmas tree there, lit with Christmas candles
attached to the branches-a method still used
in many parts of Europe.
The idea caught on quickly in other coun-
tries and is the focal point of holiday spirit in
most homes today.
In addition to the fir tree, holly symbolizes
the season. Its tough, prickly green leaves and
bright red berries last well decoration in
the home and are also used to lay on the
graves of loved ones.
One of the most joyous traditions of the
season are the carols-and they too are as
old as Christmas itself
In the early days of the Christian church,
the bishops sang carols to their clergy on
Christmas Day. Later, one bishop, Wynkyn'
de Worde, published "sett of carols" in 1921,
and in 1862 John Tysdale was granted IL
cense to print "certayne goodly carowles to
be songe to the glory or God"
During the days of the Commonwealth In
England, the Puritans denounced not only the
singing of carols but the observance of Christ
mas itself. With the return of Charles III.
Christmas once again enjoyed in the ira
ditional style-and voice.
In Yorkshire, child carol singers carried a
Christmas tree with them they sang. and
the money they collected was saved for the
festivities on Twelfth Night
After the Reforme ton, caroIng not
popular in Scotland but il never went out of
style in France, Italy and many other coun-
tries
Though customs may change with the times,
though obserTances may vary from country
to country, in those homes where Christmas is
celebrated, the spirit of joy and fellowship
has remainpd constant
Milford chronicle., 1957-12-20

1t seems difficult today to realize that as
recently as 1927 a Philadelphia newspaper
man could write that "the Christmas CAROL
once the spontaneous Yuletide expression of
the people-at-large now survives chiefly as
an art form on the concert stage"
Times have indeed, changed over quarter
of a century. This year, amplfed by both
radio and television, the singing of carols will
be more widespread by the "people-at-Iarge'
than ever before. Yet while many famous
carols have come to us from Europe-including
Adeste Fidelis, Silent Night and God Rest Ye
Merry, Gentemen-too few are aware of the
contribution own land has made to Christ
mas music.
Oldest American carol was composed in
1886, by Father Jean de Brebeuf, Jesuit mission