The Independent-News, Volume 100, Number 20, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 13 December 1973 — Page 7

mcimans spirit! , tow the utigliters helped the lady who lived by a pepper tree Frequently we hear people ay how callous we all are, especially in America . . . how we are all “too wrapped up in ourselves, too busy with our own problems, to relate to Christmas . Much of the time we deserve this comment. Probably because we think we have to build defenses against other, outside stimuli, to try to keep intact some remnant of our own personality which so far has escaped computerization. But one November, not too long ago, the daily papers had occasion to record a little event that disputed this cliche, (if you will). Here is how the story’ went: A lady of some 75 years or so who lives in a small :own in Southern California .’uffered the loss of her home jy fire. We shall call her Mrs. Sanchez. All alone in the world, the disaster might have overwhelmed some lesser person. But not Mrs. Sanchez. O'® to A? nW IIWWbH H I- j’ Fw She gathered her few belongings and camped out under a pepper tree on her remote hilltop. She had managed to salvage a beach umbrella, a picnic table and a sleeping bag, largely liecause they happened to be out on the grounds when the fire erupted. And her pet dogs. One morning as she was dusting herself off, a phone company truck arrived and the man informed her that the company would like to install a wall phone wherever it would be convenient for her. “A wall phone! VOiere eke, but on my pepper tree!’ And so it was installed. Even such a big concern as the phone company had been quick to respond to a patron s need, no doubt reported by one of Mrs. Sanchez* neighbors. People were involved in the plight of this long-time resident in distress, and especially because of her indomitable spirit, her never-say-die attitude. Weeks went by and Mrs.

& ® AIV c ia aTT-'A "STS hi TRUE BROTHERHOOD: THE GOAL OF ALL MANKIND Tiiere is only one otiild in tile world, and tile oiiild's name is all otlildren’. Carl Sandburg

Perhaps never before in the world’s history, has there been such need for understanding between members of the human family. , The American poet Carl Sandburg has written: “There is only one man in the world, and his name is all men. There is only one woman Sanchez went about clearing her lot, keeping her “quarters” as clean as she could, not only for herself, but for her pets. Thanks to the moderate Southern California weather Mrs. Sanchez “made do” very well . . . until the late December winds blew in from the sea and the threat of rain hovered darkly over the little homesite. Then the ncighliors pitched in, and on their own, without a by- your - leave from Mrs. Sanchez, they built a small new’ home for her with their own hands, and their own tools. By Christmas Day Mrs. Sanchez had much cause to be thankful. Her Christmas gift was there for all to see; but perhaps the townfolk enjoyed the finest gift of all . . . the warmth of love in their neighbor's eyes.

in the world and her name is all women. There is only one child in the world and the child’s name is all children”. More than ever, these words apply to us, this Christmas 1973. W hat an opportunity for us all! I’liis is the season when millions of people of all faiths observe solemn holy days. Each faith, in its own way, ; acknowledges in its observance the brotherhood of , man. Let each man, each woman, each child as is given him to understand these matters, seek to further this understanding, not only during this holy season but for all seasons. Let each of us in Ids and her own way seek to unite people of all colors and creeds. Wherever we live, and work, let us encourage mutual respect, at the next machine or desk, or in the next house. Every faith can identify with these words from the Christian Bible: ”... be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of , life." “And John bare record, ■ saying, I saw the spirit de- ' scending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon < him.’’

BEf EM BEK IS, 1979 — THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS —

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☆ A ^mup of archaeologists discovered the name of Jesus carved before 70 A.D. among inscriptions on II early Christian burial urns found in a cave

Yule Legends Span Many Years and Many Lands Did you know that the first Christmas tree erected in a church in U.S., in 1851 shocked its Cleveland congregation. It was considered too heathenish ’ America gave the world its most Beloved Christmas plant—the poinsettia. The plant is a native of tropical America. ' c sew NC. Bayberry candles, which are said to loretej good hick for thr coming year if they burn bright at Christmas, were first made by earlv settlers in America. They dipped bayberry branches in wax ami burned them during the holidays. 7 The story is told that over a hundred years ago, a pa) ish priest in Salsburg, Austria, returning late one night fr<un admmistering last rites to a dying woman, was awed by the particular majesty of the still, sparkled-w ithstars night; hewent home, wrote the lovely, haunting words of “Silent Night, Holy Night.’’ With his organist. Franz Gruber, playing the great music on his guitar, the Father, Joseph Mohr, first introduced the strains of this j»oi ular hymn to a small congregation in Austria.

Kris Kringle is not a German term for Santa Claus. The name is a modification of “Kristkind,” who according to German legend,is the Infant Jesus.

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