Garfield Junior High School - Gleaner Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

Page 25 text:

Christmas Bells I love to hear the bells on Christmas Kinging out so clear, T hey seem to fill me with great joy, From my eye, they draw a tear. T hey tell a tale of long ago When you and I weren’t here, T hey tell a tale of T hree Wise Men Who saw our Savior dear. In the sky they saw a shining star Much brighter than the rest, T hey followed its rays to the little town Which by His Presence was blest. In a manger there He lay On a coarse straw bed, T here were co ws on the floor And pigeons overhead. Think not of yourself on this glad day, But of others as Jesus had, And save your pennies, all of them, And make some other glad. Christmas got its name from Christ Who was born on this glad day, So iv hen you hear the bells a-ringing Kneel down, and start to pray. Thank God for all the things you have, For He alone has giv’n them, And when your prayer is finished say — In Jesus’ name, Amen. Clara Neubauer, Low Eight. The Gift Away off in the distant night Three wise men traveled on, Toward a bright and starry light To reach it ’fore the dawn. For they had heard the prophecy A King will soon be born” And traveled far o’er land and sea To greet Him Christmas morn. Their treasures at His feet ivere laid Then glowed this precious gem T he grandest one of all they gave rr Peace on earth; good will to men.” Elaine Shapero, High Nine.

Page 24 text:

Christmas to You Does it mean candies, cakes and toys ? Does it mean turkeys and other joys ? Does it mean parties and lots of fun? Does it mean days when relatives come ? What does Christmas mean to you? Does it mean a tree burdened with lights? Does it seem just like other nights? Does it mean a day ivhen Santa Comes? Does it mean a time ivhen socks are hung? What does Christmas mean to you? Does it mean the day of our Lord’s birth? Does it mean the time He came to earth? Does it mean a tune of all good cheer? Does it mean a day ivhen none should fear? What does Christmas mean to you? It means to me each of these things, It means a time when we should bring T oys, clothes, and all sorts of food, So those who suffer might feel good, That’s what Christmas means to me. Alice Hyerle, High Seven. Christmas There’s a song in the air just at Christmas, As we dash from school to our play, And we dream of the things that are joyous, That thrill us that one perfect day. The hour of enchantment grows nearer, T he night before Christmas is at hand, And we creep off to bed to continue Our dreams of that far-away land. When the sun peeps over the hilltops, We dash from our beds in great haste, To find side by side from the mantle, The socks bulging, round in their place. And I think of that first Christmas morning, Ot the Star and the Bethlehem Babe, That brought peace and joy to the children, From then, right on down to our age. Patricia Clinton, High Seven.

Page 26 text:

CHRIST IS BORN The night is still as still can be. The surrounding hills of Bethlehem are dimly seen. Here and there, shepherds, leaning on their staffs, wearily tend their flocks. Lambs are straying and bleating softly, as if afraid. Gradually, the heavens lighten up and a bright start slowly descends from the horizon to rest over a manger near the Inn. The shepherds are aroused for the angers are singing, The King of Kings Is Born.” For miles around the people are guided by the star which lights the way to worship the new-born King. They find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and bathed in Divine Light. What a wonderful night, the night dreamed of for so long. The night when Christ is come. All the world is joyous, and filled with gladness and song. Christ, the new-born King, is come. Mary Alice Ballard, Low T en. C-f-S C ' + ' -S HOW CHRISTMAS CAME TO BE CHRISTMAS From the early centuries of Christianity the anniversary of the birth of Christ has been celebrated by a special church festival. In England this celebration was called Christ Mass,” that is how we get our word Christ- mas.” At first the date of this celebration was not the same in different places, some churches observed it in December, others in January, April, or May. The real date of the birth of Christ is not known. The Armenian Church in the East celebrates it on January 6. The celebration of Christ’s birthday on December 25 spread to most parts of the Christian world in the 4th and 5 th centuries. One of the causes that worked to establish the new festival on December 25 is probably the fact that this day marked the beginning of a great winter festival of the pagan Gauls, Germans and Britons. As in other instances where pagan festivals were replaced by Christian, many of the old pre-Christian customs and symbols were taken over. The Yule log, holly, mistletoe, and wassail bowl are all included in the pagan observances. During the Middle Ages, Christmas became the greatest of popular celebrations. Churches were decorated and quaint little plays were given recalling the birth of Christ and early years of his life. Even today plays are performed every Christmas in some old cities of Europe in honor of Christ. Jim Parker, Low Light. CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD In America and England at Christmas time we expect Santa Claus to come down the chimney and fill our stockings with presents. Our German and Scandinavian friends have quite a different Christ- mas. They have Kris Kringle, like our Santa Claus, who goes about from house to house on Christmas Eve and hides the gifts. In Italy, there is a big bowl called the Urn of Fate; it provides all the presents for the little ones. On Christmas morning all the children gather around the bowl to see what it will contain for them. The French children leave their wooden shoes on the hearth-stone for Bonhomme Noel, Father Christmas, to fill. He will fill any little shoes left on the hearth-stone.