MERRY CHRISTMAS

Southland Times, Issue 20669, 15 December 1928, Page 23 (Supplement)

MERRY CHRISTMAS

—First Prize.— Old-time England was merry when Gay Christmas brought its sport again, Bright Christmas, with its feasts and ale, With song and dance and merry tale. When the rooms were decked with ivy-leaves And posts all dressed in holly, They sang and danced, and laughed and played, And every man was jolly. To-day the world is just the same, And Christmas brings the same old cheer, The world still looks for Christmas time, All through the flying year, And still we feast, and dance, and sing, And housewives bake a dainty, Bedecked each house with flowers gay —A time of joy and plenty. For always docs the world remember Time for feasts and making gay, Remember then that Christ, our Lord, Wats born on Christmas Day. —5/- and 4 marks to Cousin Gwen Irwin (16), “Elderslic," Lpchiel. —Second Prize.— “Merry Christmas!” the peole say, As they meet in the hurrying crowd. The remark is passed from lip to lip— Young and old—humble and proud. “Merry Christmas! - ’ the schoolboy shouts, As he stows his books away. “Good-bye, to lessons, and teachers, and canes, I’ll live in the very to-day!” “Merry Christmas!” the damsel says, As mother she greets with a kiss, “1 have been offered a whole week's leave, Such fortune is too good to miss.” "Merry Christmas!” the children shout .As a laden father strides in. He repeats the remark with equal zeal. Tries vainly to silence the din. ‘Merry Chrjstmas!” a mother cries, Laying down her weary head. How can we have a ‘Merry’ Christmas’ When my poor children have no bread ?* 'Merry Christmas!” a prisoner groans n the shadow of those dark walls. ‘How can my Christmas merry be In a place where no sunlight falls?” '‘Merry Christmas’” the angels sang, On a bright and dewy morn. “Merry Christmas!” the shepherds’ cry, “This day our Young Lord is born.” —2/6 and 3 marks to Cousin Annie Williamson (14), P.O. Box 60, Balclutha. —Highly Commended.—? Christmas comes with joyous cheer, After wailing long months throughout the year, And with happy thoughts and pleasant reason, I wish you the compliments of the season. And when Santa Claus, so old and grey’. Comes round with his presents of sparkling array. May he wish you all, yes, everyone, A merry Christmas and lots of fun. —2 marks to Cousin Vera Gillespie (11), 288 Dee street, Invercargill. —Commended.Now that Christmas-time has come again, This dear earth is turning bright and gay. Everyone is smiling, singing happily. And exchanging greetings every day. Old Santa Claus is getting ready, With hia many sacks of lovely toys, He’s oiling up his big aeroplane, For visiting all good girls and boys. All the shops are full of charming things .And mother, father, sister, brother, Secretly are ever very busy Choosing loving gifts for one another. A merry Christmas do I wish you, Heaps of “greetings” for a glad New Year, 1 hope your Christmas will be joyful, With bright, sunny days without a fear. —1 mark to Cousin Mabel Wright (16), Mak are w a.)