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Christmas: Day of Days…

Click to see original imageIt’s Christmas Eve 1978. Simday a day to rest, to worship – and to let the spirit and magic of this greatest of holidays really settle over our valleys and in our homes. It’s been a long season of hard work and planning, of shopping of improvised schedules. and myriad appointments and activities. Each year the place seems to get more frenzied. ere is cause to wonder whether joy to the world is more a slogan than a reality; whether good-will toward men is lasting dillowned out by the tinkle of e cas register. Rising affluence, it seems, only raises the ante, not- the enjoyment. In some quarters, materialism seems to have replaced the humility and spirituality of Christmases we remember with nostalgic fondness. But now, on Christmas Eve, the old feeling retums. The beauty of the yuletide shines forth in the light of love in the home as final preparations are made; and in remembrance of the religious meaning dear to the hearts of Christians. The realization dawns again, that it really is more blessed to give than to receive. And as you think back over those hectic days just past you begin to recognize signs gf the ou failed to note at the time. e the joyful faces of the hundrgs of youngsters at the erg Christmas pa y’ gg generous dgi of a new Orem hey’d aging e Su or-Santa program in w ich hundreds of generous people made the yuletide brighter for amilies in need; and in so many other acts of love and kindness discemible despite the rush of the season. Today, the great clamor is stilled; the crowds have disappeared; the world outside is deserted at peace. The world inside is warm, intimate, a utopia of joy and reverence and appreciation. Christmas is like that. It’s meaning may be obscured a bit at times, but as it arrives, its glory and meaning shine forth, rediscovered. And we recognize it for what it is – the day of days, with a richness of meaning unsurgassed by any other time or holiay. So They Soy “The oil companies appear to be offering the public a choice between shortages and everrising gasoline prices. I can think of no strategy less likely to gain she indlustry’s objective of econtro .” – Sen. I-lenry Jackson, D.Waah., chairman of the energy committee, warning the oil industry it faces the prospect of pmore U.S. regulations unless it g can meet public requirements.