Tikumu’s letter

Press, 4 December 1979, Page 18

Tikumu’s letter

Dear Readers, Many people have been working in the Christchurch Cathedral recently setting up the large Christmas tree the Cit\ Council provides each year. Business firms, the choir boys and other helpers have worked together to deck the tree in all the glory of Christmas. The greatest symbol of the spirit of Christmas lies in the crib nearbv —

the doll that represents the baby, whose birth brought such rejoicing to the people of nearly 2000 years ago.

Every day the people of Christchurch leave their gifts at the foot of the tree. For many families the visit to the Cathedral is as much a part of Christmas as sitting on the knee of Father Christmas in one of the big department stores. The children lay their gifts beside the tree just as the shepherds gave a lamb to the baby lying

in the manger in Bethlehem. Christmas means giving as well as receiving. 1 hese gifts make a happy Christmas for children in hospitals. health camps and homes run by churches and other welfare groups. The children in Lesotho benefit, as well, but their needs are somewhat dilferent.

People who have been distributing the gifts lor a long time have found that the most suitable items are colouring books, crayons, pencils, jig-saw puzzles, plasticene and small strong toys such as dolls and cars: and Christmas would not be complete without picture books and story books.

The children of Lesotho need face-cloths, soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes. These may not sound exciting, but they mean a lot to children who do not have them. The Save the Children Fund, the group that works for children all the

year, is the “1 ather Christmas” ot the project. Members ot the SumnerRedclifls branch of Save the Children Fund sort and pack the gilts each day: and deliver them to their destinations — not

by sleighs pulled by reindeer, because it isn't Christinas Eve. hut they have their wax of ensuring that the children receive them on Christmas Dav.

Jescis said: “Suffer little children to come unto me,” and he did not mean just the babies and infants, He meant all of his followers.

Next Sunday morning, December 9 at 11 o'clock, there will be a special service in the Cathedral to bless the Christmas tree and the erib.

People of all ages, and from all walks of life have been invited to the Cathedral to listen to the service that will centre on the Christmas tree: and to join together in singing the favourite carols.