Evening star., 1959-12-25
LETTERS TO THE STAR
Some Exceptions Noted in True Holiday Spirit


A few years ago dawn of
Christmas found my wife
and me alone for the first
time in many years. Being
human, we were more or less
feeling sorry for ourselves.
Our grown-up children and
their families were living
away, one of the families
being temporarily abroad. At
the time, we were residing in
a house, in the Columbia
Heights area, which had been
converted by its owner, a
gracious and charmin g
Jewish woman, into private
apartments. We occupied the
flrst-floor , apartment, the
owner the second, and an
other extremely kind and
friendly Jewish woman lived
on the third floor. Over
night visitors in the third
floor apartment we're her
granddaughter and grand
son, then about eight and six
years of age.
Shortly after breakfast, the
two children came down to
our apartment to see our
gaily ornamented tree and
other Christmas decorations,
as well as our presents. We
were unusually happy to
have them. and it took but a
few minutes for the four of
us to become occupied in
making paper hats and
garments out of used Christ
mas wrappings and ribbons,
much to the children's de-
light. AS a result of this
activity the children did not
go back upstairs until near
time for us to go out to have
dinner and spend the rest of
the day with relatives and
friends.
We shall never cease to be
grateful to these dear Jewish
children who were solely
responsible for making an
otherwise gloomy Christmas
for two lonely parents one of
brightness. JOY and laughter.
The charm and beauty of
childhood!
1t seems to me that there
is a wonderful object lesson
in this true story. AS Chris
tians celebrate Christmas
this year, Hanukah, the
Jewish Festival of Lights, is
also being observed. Both
festivals involve the ex-
change of gifts. material and
otherwise. Undoubtedly the
best gift my wife and I re-
ceived on that particular
Christmas morning was the
friendship and companion
ship of our little Jewish
friends. Surely, God would
have us, Jews and Christians
alike and of any and all
ages, to know and work with
each other better, for we
have much to contribute to
our mutual happiness and
development.
Thomas G. Spence.
You recently published a
letter from DR.. William j.
PEBBLES, Health Officer for
Montgomery County, con-
cerning Christmas Seal
Services.
We have had many evil
dences that the letter was
we'll read and its contents
taken to heart; several people
even clipped the letter and
inclosed it with their checks
for Christmas Seals. Some
commented that DR.. PEBBLES
observation helped them
make their decision.
We wish to thank you,
your readers and DR.. PEBBLES
for putting the need before
the public. We're sure that
it has made for greater pub
lie awareness of the tubercu-
losis problem in Montgomery
County.
Again. thank you and your
loyal readers. We wish you all
a very merry Christmas.
Robert w. Beall,
Chairman, Christmas Seal
sale Montgomery County.
4 + 4 y
May I commend you for
the very fine Christmas story
by Ruth Graham? We need
more stories such as these,
Our country needs to get
back to the Bible and the
teachings of it's sacred pages
which are the foundation OF
our Nations freedom and
strength.
Leighton S. Bishop.