The Daily Alaska empire Newspaper, December 18, 1932, Page 8

| % i Daily Alaska E'mpire JOHN W. TROY - - PRISIDENT AND EDITOR ROBERT W. BENDER - - GENERAL MANAGER “Published _every except Sunday by the FMPIRE PRINTING COMPANY at Second and Main Streets, Juneau, Alaska. evening Entered in the Post Office in Juneau as Second Class matter. SUBSCRIPTION RATES. Dellvered by carrier in Juneau and Douglas for $1.25 per_month. By malil, postage paid, at the following rates: One year, In_advance, $12.00; six months, in advance, $6.00; one month, in advance, $1.25. Subscribers will confer a favor if they will promptly notify the Business Office of any failure or Irregularity in the delivery of their papers. Telephone for Editorial and Business Offices, 374. MEMBER OF ASSOCIATED PRESS. The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to the use for republication of all news dispatches credited to it or not otherwise credited in this paper and also the local news published herein. ALASKA CIRCULATION GUARANTEED TO BE LARGER THAN THAT OF ANY OTHER PUBLICATION. THE NATIVITY. And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augutus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxation was first made known when Cyrenius was Governor of Syria). And all went to be taxed, every one to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; To be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being grzat with child. And so it was that, while they were there, the s were accomplished that she should be de- livered And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrappsd him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn were in the same country shepherds in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night And lo, the angel of the Lord came unto them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid And the angel said unto them, “Fear, not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord “And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a mul- titude of the heavenly host praising God and say- ing: “Glory to God in the highest, peace, good will toward men.” —Gospel of St. Luke. there and on earth THE ETERNAL FESTIVAL. There are those who noid that, in these times of widespread economic disorder and the attendant consequences that have had such disastrous effects upon millions of persons in this and other lands, Christmas is, under the circumstances, a mockery and futile. Of course, that view is not justified. It is the very circumstances that do exist that emphasize this year the true spirit of Christmas— the spirit exemplified in God’s gift to the world of His Son. % Christmas is more than an occasion on which to exchange remembrances, although that, too, is a part of it. It is something else besides the time for displaying good fellowship, though that, also, goes into the making of it. It is a well-loved insti- tution that is hallowed by centuries of observance of the coming of a Man who brought into the world a new order of fellowship among all men. Since His advent it has acquired some mystic quality emanating from the souls of the millions who have accepted the teachings of that order; there is a hush over it, and instinctively it draws us together in our homes, gathers our families close to the firesides, and re-unites us once more in the simple faith of childhood. Each family shares among its members its treas- ures of the spirit as well as of more material things. It may be that there are less of the latter this year than in other years. But of love, kindness, faith in ourselves and in the Infinite there has besn no diminution. And after all, these are the attributss that count. Too often we neglect them throughout the year. But at Christmas they are again enthroned. So it is that this Christmas is no different from any others that have preceded it. It is, in fact, the eternal verity. Stripped of unessential trim- mings, each Christmas is like every other one. Since it is eternal there can be no change in it from on: year to another. It is always the same. It is not an occasion about which there need to be a great deal of dissertation. There is no need to lecture on it or about its meaning. There are no issues growing out of it. No moral need be drawn from it, or its observance. Judgment about it need not be reserved for fuller information. It simply is Christmas. And on such an occasion there is only one message that has any meaning. ‘The Empire voices that message to all of its read- ers—We wish each of you a merry Christmas and all the happiness the season can possibly bring. GOOD WILL NOTABLY PRESENT. » The atmosphere of Juneau is typical of the sea- son. On every side the town exhibits the air of Christmas. The stores and offices with their adorn- ments of greens-and gay streamers of red and green and silver tinsel; the wares of the merchants so invitingly arrayed; the thoughts of the people as they give expression to them; all of these things point to Christmas. Even Nature has been kind | | Ha! Santa Claus is up to date; he’s sold his reindeer team. He even thinks a motor car old fashioned now would secem. A brand new airship he has got; the very latest thing: And, oh! a gorgeous load of toys old Santa’s ship can bring, THE DAILY ALASkA EMPIRE, SUNDAY, DEC. 18, 1932. make a grave for your ugly thought, and a garden for your kindly feelings, with the gate open—are you willing to do these things even for a day? Then you can keep Christmas. And if you keep it for a day, why not always? Christmas Bells. By HENRY W. LONGFELLOW, I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, goodwill to men! And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, goodwill to men! Till, ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, goodwill to men! Then from each black, accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the south, And with the sound The carols downed Of peace on earth, goodwill to men! It was as if an earthquake rent The hearthstones of a continent, And made forlorn The household born Of peace on earth, goodwill to men! And in despair I bowed my head; “There is no peace on earth,” I said, For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, goodwill to men! Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep! The wrong shall fail, The right prevail, With peace on earth, goodwill to men!” O Little Town of Bethlehem. O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by; Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting light; The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight. For Christ is born of Mary, And gathered all above, While mortals slecp and angels keep Their watch of wondering love. O morning stars, together Proclaim the holy birth; And praises sing to God, the King, And peace to me on earth. How silently, how silently, The wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His Heaven. No ear may hear His coming; But in this world of sin, 5 ‘Where meek souls will receive him still The dear Christ enters in, O, Holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us we pray; > And if, the night ere Christmas dawns, you wake and rub your eyes, And peer across the chimney tops far down the starry skies, Who knows? You may see Santa’s ship a-skimming thro’ the air, Just show’ring dolls and skates, and drums on children ev’rywhere. —~The Gentlewoman, fringed mountains is spread with a white mantle of snow, making a background of thousands of Yuletide trees. In Juneau, however, good will has been notably present throughout all the changing seasons of this year. It has been evidencad in many ways. Not the least of these has been its response to the calls for aid from various organizations. Chief of these is the Red Cross to which, as always, this com- munity has subscribed liberally. For local relief work among the enforced idle it has contributed with accustomed generosity. Christmas only serves to accentuate the Spirit of Fellowship that is found here at all times The Christ whose birth Christmas celebrates was born in a small town—where, like here, all are neighbors. It is in the small town, rather than in the metropolitan centers of great population, that the real joy of this season is most evideft and most deeply felt. In them relationships are closer and more enduring. There is in them that per- sonal touch, that instant sympathy and the capacity | to share the joys and sorrows of one another that | are lost to the average dweller of hig cities. In them, too, is more commonly found that love for humanity, that forgiving spirit, less seifishness and more selfiessness, typical of Him who, dy. on the Cross prayed: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. Of course, all of these attributes :xist the world over, in cities, towns large and small and in isolated cottages. They are the fundamentals of Christian- encugh to lend a hand in the setting for the ne“j ity. And we like to tkink, too, they are everyday annual event. The somber green of the hemlock- |qualities in this our town. KEEPING CHRISTMAS. 1 (By HENRY VAN DYKE.) | It is a good thing to observe Christmas Day. But there is a better thing than the observance of Christmas Day, and that is, keeping Christmas. Are you willing to forget what you have dome for other people, and to remember what other people have done for you; to ignore what the world owes you, and to think what you owe the world; to put your rights in the background, and your duties in the middle distance, and your chances to do a little more than your duty in the fore- ground; to see that your fellowmen are just as real as you are, and try to -ook behind their faces to their hearts, hungry for joy; to own that prob- ably the only good reason for your existence is not what you are going to get ou: of life, but what | vou are going to give to life; to close your book of complaints against the management of the uni- | verse, and look around you for a place where you can sow a few seeds of happings—are you willing to do these things even for a day? Then you can keep Christmas. Are you willing to op down and consider the needs and the desires of little children; to re- member the weakness and loneliness of people who are growing old; to stop asking how much your friends love you, and ask yourself whether you love them enough; to bear in mind the things that other people have to bear on their hearts; to try to understand what those why live in the same house with you rcally want, without waiting for them to tell you; to trim your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke, and to earry it in front so that your shadow will, fall behind you; to a2k E4 oS Cast out our sin and enter in, Be born in us this day. We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord, Emanuel! Amen. ~—Phillips Brooks. Silent Night. Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright, Round yon Virgin Mother and Child. Holy Infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight! Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing: Alleluia, Christ, the Saviour is born! Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, love's pure light Radient beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth. —Written by Frank Gruber, 1818. The Starry Message. The hazy roads are thronged on this old earth, As eager hearts go homeward—Christmas night Comes on, to bring a gleaming star to birth. Swift moments, then warm splendor of its light; And men will clasp a tiny toddling son, ‘While mother eyes rest always on the pair In dreamy thought; and when each task is done, Two sing a song, and chant a whispered prayer. The years have drifted down a misty way Since Mago came along Judean hills; But love and loyalty live on today, Like shining wreaths upon our window sills, O homing hearts, how tenderly you bring To earth the starlit message of a King! —Kate Randle Menafee. Gifts. They brought their gifts to please a baby King; Their fragrant incense and their glitering gold. What gifts can I put in His hands today For Him to love and hold? What can I offer from my heart’s full cup To please a Christ, grown-up? What can I give Thee, Master? and I hear His voice in answer: “Inasmuch as ye Have done it unto the least of these, Ye have done it unto me.” Each thought for others, each small kindness shown He claims them for his own. They are such selfless gifts He asks of me: ‘The little common deeds of everyday; Small services my hands can find to do— The words my tongue can say. S gifts, it seems, to lay before a King. Yet all He bids me bring. Greetings We would surely appreciate the oppor- tunity to meet you all, our customers, patrons, and friends, and tell you face to face how glad we are to know you and work with you in this game of living. However, that would be impossible, so we are sending our sentiments to you through the columns of The Empire. LEE ROX CO. GENERAL CONTRACTING OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS Concrete or Saw Log Foundations, etc. Telephone 4751 P. O. Dept. 2214 Juneau, Alaska INSURANCE Established 1898 GOOD WISHES CHEER, HAPPINESS TO ALL OUR FRIENDS AND CUSTOMERS SAN FRANCISCO ' BAKERY Allen Shattuck, Inc. Juneau, Alaska