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

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Christmas in Holland is somewhat similar to that in France. The little children leave their shoes on the doorstep filled with carrots for Saint Nich- olas’s reindeer. He in turn will leave them gifts in their shoes. In Spain on Christmas morning all the family gathers around a large bowl hung in the room; each person is given a stick with which he tries to break the bowl. When it is broken everybody grabs for the presents. No matter in what land or how one celebrates his Christmas, the gener- ous spirit of Christmas lives on. Jeanne Creech, High Eight. c -£ CHRISTMAS IN THE ANTIQUE SHOP Snow, like crumpled white crepe paper, was piled high on the steps of the antique shop. It was the afternoon before Christmas and the proprietor had left after making certain that his treasures were safely locked in for the night. The pieces of furniture were having a debate on what to do to celebrate Christmas tomorrow. A Queen Anne table, with great loyalty for her own era, suggested that they set places for a Christmas dinner as it would have been done in Seventeen hundred ten. She received instantaneous sup- port from the trencher salts and the William and Mary candlesticks who whisked themselves so rapidly to the polished satin of the o ld table that they nearly upset the flat silver arranging itself neatly at each place. Why can’t all the clocks strike Christmas in Morse Code,” exclaimed an alarm clock made in Eighteen hundred fifty. She had belonged to the telegraph operator for thirty years and was anxious to show off his knowledge. A very good idea,” chimed the deep bass voice of a grandfather clock. A tilt-top table suggested that a red candle be placed on his top where it could throw a cheery light far out into the night. All evening they talked and planned and at last fell asleep happily anticipating tomorrow. On Christmas night they were surprised to see that food for a feast had mysteriously appeared on the table and the ghosts of past owners had gath- ered to partake of the supper. The antiques were joyful to welcome their old masters and mistresses who were only ghosts until they had located their lost possessions. One very beautiful lady rubbed a dainty finger over the lovely old table. Oh my beautiful table,” she cried, They have scratched you!” After the feast was over the ghosts departed to heaven with all their former belongings, where they could never more be scratched or marred. Yet, the next morning, when the proprietor let himself into his shop all was as he had last seen it on Christmas Eve. He could not know that it was the ghosts of his furniture that had been left behind. David Howell, High Seven. A Reminder At Christinas time the stores each day Are gaily d ressed in bright array, T he candlelight streams through doors And garlands hang from roof to floors, Reminding each forgetful one That Christmas giving is such fun. Arthur Danjus, Low Ten.

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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.

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CHRISTMAS JOYS IN SWEDEN Hans’s family had been preparing for Christmas a week in advance. Maids were scurrying around the house scrubbing and polishing floors, dusting furniture, and shining silverware so that not a speck of dirt could be found. Hans had put a bundle of oats on a pole for the birds as was the Christ- mas custom of every little child whether rich or poor. His brothers, sisters, and he had been busy all day decorating the tree with gay ornaments and putting a tiny wax candle on each branch. They were all expectant of what the Yule Tomte would bring them this Christmas. All through the year Hans had been building a little house in the yard for the Tomte and giving up many goodies to the Tomte in order to win his favor. After luncheon the children went to their rooms to dress for the gay festival in the afternoon. At three o’clock the tree was lighted (the winter days are very short in Sweden) . Gifts were passed out and Hans shook his package, examining it closely to see if he could guess its contents. However, he must be patient until the family had eaten. This was not hard, for there were many delicious dishes of smoked fish, baked puddings, and preserves. The great excitement of the evening had now come. Hans had opened his package and, as the cover was lifted, he spied a set of new, bright, shiny tin soldiers. The Tomte had surely noticed Hans’ attention to him during the year. The boys and girls were sent to bed early, for they must get up before daylight and go to church the next morning. Florence Avelin, High Eight. The Party of the Christmas Toys The presents lay wrapped Beneath the green tree, Not a sound could be heard As the clock struck three. A party let’s have,” Spoke tin soldier, Jim, I’m tired of holding This strap on my chin.” The teddy bear grinned As he climbed up tide tree, The sight of some candy Had filed Joint ivitJo glee. Come, )ump on my back,” Said the rocking-Joorse gay, And ice’ll go for a ride On a one-horse shay.” Pop-eye,” tJoe sailor In his way loud and gruff, Said, give me some spinach Or I’ll get real tough.” A doll buggy took All the dolls for a ride, They cut all tide corners And laughed till tJoey cried. Some real fancy bouncing Was done by tJoe ball, In excitement it hit Both ceiling and wall. When at last they grew tired, ’T was nigh on to morn, T hrough tide blackness of night Daylight was dawn. So back in its place Went eacJo little toy, To await tide glad cry Of some girl or boy, Their message to you is one of good cloeer, A most happy Christmas and a glad New Year. Linda Sulenta, Low Eight.