The Daily Alaska empire Newspaper, December 24, 1926, Page 9

THE DATLY ALASKA EMPIRE 4 HE doors of homes and hearts swing wide at this Yule- tide scason of the vear, and candles gleam with the bright flame of Man's humanity to Man. It is a season when petty dif- ferences are forgotten. Which is all as it should be. Old friendships are re- newed; scattered families brought together under one roof: Youth and Old Age meet beneath holly boughs, and all is .well with the world, There is no institution in the world of greater benefit to us than Christmas-tide. Grouches are metamorphos- cd into smiles: Charity smiles its welcome from every snowy hill and vale: exist- ence 1s made mellow and companionable. It is the same today, last vear, 20 vears ago, and cv- crybody joins in the glad time celebration. Juneau will celebrite to- morrow as will other com- munities, in all parts of the civilized world. Juneau’s celebration to- morrow will be as it was last vear, yes, 20 or 25 years ago, the same way, home Christ- mas trees, home dinners, dis- tribution of gifts to all in the household and the sending of gifts to different friends. “ALL THE NEWS ILL THE TIME” JUNEAU, ALASKA, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1926. For the children it is a great day. They will be up bright and ecarly tomorrow morning, shding down the banister rail, or quictly slip- ping around into the living room, sizing up the tree in its spangled, shiny, decora- tions and anxiously wonder- ing what is contained in all of those packages hanging on the tree or piled on the Hoor bencath it. Then the quick hunt for the ‘stocking’ that Santa Claus quictly fill- ed during the wee sma’ hours when evelids were just closed in an excited sleep, for fear they would not open at the break of day. Oh, ves, it is the same to- day as many vears ago, for the voungsters and for the grown-ups. The morning hours and the forenoon hours are busy ones. The “ahs” and “ohs” as children, mother and fath- er, sister and brother open their packages from the home folks and those sent from far-away places, from relatives or special friends. PART TWO Children then flock to homes of ncarby little friends, ex- change gifts, look over the oifts their friends have ye- ceived and then hustle to and fro back to home again for that annual dinner moth- cr has been busily prepar- ing, and as the odor of roast- ing turkev, or chicken, or goosc or suckling pig, mince or pumpkin pics, etc., ctc., spreads throughout the |]“(|.\(', L‘\P(fk‘i””f'\ gl'()\\'S “”([ stomach - jackets are just hicaving for the “big feed.” Friends come, dinner is served, then the tired, full feeling and Christmas has again passed. That 1s the home-side of Christmas time of todav. That “is the home-side of Yule-time vears ago. But in all of the festivities, Juneau, like elsewhere, ob- serves a religious side. Mid- night mass is celebrated to- night- in many of Juneau’s churches. Sermons are preached and Sunday, spec- ial devotional services are 02 held at which the majority of residents attend. Children’s Christmas trees are held in the various Sun- day Schools and the young- er generation 1s brought to a religious view of the mean ing of Christmas. Juncau also shows her open-heartedness tomorrow for few, if any, of the bache- lors or the bachelor girls have been forgotten and they will join family circles at the Christmas dinners. Others have arranged par- tics and sccured tables in the cafes or restaurants. Glancing back over past Christmas periods, many celebrated times, Juncau what is called a “green” Christmas, meaning no snow has been on the ground. Also it 1s revealed that years ago, the chmate of Juneau was severe. Very cold weather has been experienced ac- cording to old-timers. One Christmas Eve, a community tree celebration was arrang- ed but the Taku prevented observance. Years ago, the weather was so mild just be- fore Christmas, that a base- ball game was planned on the beach. Nines were se- lected and everything for an afternoon game, but again the weather interferred and adjournment was taken in- doors. Tomorrow is Christmas Day, and to you and every one, the greetings of the Day, Merry Christmas is extended - - s Lo s A o - - - - - - eSS