FATHER CHRISTMAS

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3846, 16 December 1936, Page 30 (Supplement)

FATHER CHRISTMAS

, (By Mabiline Hcßoehe.) Year after year, century after century, does our dear old Father Christmas make his regular visits to cheer our grumpy old world. Merry and brave, he carries the priceless message u "Peace on Earth, Goodwill Towards Men." Peace on Earth,” what a beautiful melody rings in that perfect phrase. If only we cculu live up to the deep meaning of those words. But we don't. Maybe we cannot, and therein lies the tragedy of our failure, for our Peace Pact at the moment seems more like the rage of a wounded bull than the fluttering wings of a dove. I wonder if Father Christmas feels a stab in his kind old heart when there is strife and warfare to spoil the season he loves so well. However, we shall let that pass, and pretend so hard that we are peaceful; it may become a glorious reality for the Yuletide gatherings in troubled lands. We New Zealanders are lucky in that we have no disturbing* conflict to mar our preparation for Christmas. Hay in and day out, according to our temperaments, we jog or race along the road of life, till all of a sudden we realise Father Christmas is due. Usually, grandchildren, nephews, and nieces are the first to remind the older generation that It is time to get busy; and it is they, bless their cheery young hearts, who play such an important part in Yuletide reunion. Once a year conies Father Christinas with his greetings of joy. Once a year we fling aside all hardness 01 hea’* and allow ourselves to becomi human and joyous among our fellows. Once a year we shamelessly make fools of ourselves and gaily allow a 1 orde of riotous youngsters to laugh at our lack of dignity. It is good for us—being pulled from our grown-up perches and brought back to childhood’s happy days. How Father Christmas must smile at it all. We need this yearly visit from Father Christmas. It is a wonderful interlude blessed by the warm exchange of tokens that renew- our friendship. We live again in the customs and traditions —beautiful and strong, that have come all down the ages. Again is brought before us that touching little scene in a Stable at Bethleham, a treasured memory that still has the Divine power to draw us together in unity and love. A memory that softens our hearts and moves us to think of dear ones far and near. Bless old Father Christmas; he cheers the coming year with his hearty good wishes and merry, genial smile.