The Key West Citizen Newspaper, December 24, 1953, Page 12

A Christmas Prayer—The Story Of A Family's Joy At Christmas Time anes By FATHER J. L. REMIAS Chaplain, US Navy It was Christmas Eve and the large, gently-falling snowflakes were covering the ground with a soft, white maatle. The tall, not too well dressed man moved along the narrow street apparently oblivious of the passers-by who gave him scant notice in return. The man’s shoes, cheap ones, and unprotected from the slush be- neath them, were soggy, wet and crumpled. He seemed unaware of both his personal appearance and comfort. In front of the gleaming white chureh, austere on its foundation |" of heavy, cut stone, the man slow- ly climbed the dozen steps lead- ing to the entrance and placed his hand on the lateh. The door ed to his pressure, and he walked down an aisle to the raised dais and knelt before the altar. He was a fairly young man but emaciated and stooped. He had the look of one who had gone consi derable time without sleep or f A jagged, ugly fresh scar ran di gonaily down one bony jaw near! to the point of his chin. His head, yield-| .\ent Night, Holy Night.” The hap- bared at the moment, rested in folded arms while taut lips moy- ed in prayer. Great emotional strain showed) on his face which, evidently, at one itime, had been a handsome one. 'It was evident that the man was! seeking strength from the great) 'Pather atove. It was evident too,| that he was face to face with aj problem, possibly the greatest one of his life. He was going to need his strength and courage to handle) this problem. “Dear God,” he murmured in a} soft, muted voice, “tonight is; |Christmas Eve — a time for joy, jand song and love. I beseech thee, | i | t | It was voices, lifted in song, that! ‘broke his words in half. He got to this feet, felt his way carefully a-| llong the darkened aisle toward the) front of the church, The voices! grew in volume and the man held) jbis battered hat in his hand and) ismiled. The singing was that of the] ‘very young and the song was “Sil- y, lilting voices of these too young! for personal problems filled the ight air. | A little boy and girl, muffled ia} LEVIED A YULETIDE BAN ON CAROL SINGING AND CHURCH BELLS, BECAUSE THe NOISE IRRITATED “44M long coats and galoshes and wool- jen hoods, stood before the large edifice. The stranger let the softly falling snow cling to his graying- brown hair and knew an urge to \join in with the singing. The little girl, probably eleven, saw the man first. “Mister,” she said, smiling and setting a pair of big, blue eyes over the man, would you like to sing with us?” The man shuffled down the steps.} (He was smiling. “I would,” he said in a slow measured tones, “I sure would!” The three voices rose in song. “Silent Night, Holy Night—” 0 = then aie ore MEN ESUBLISHED DECEMBER 25 AS CHRISTS GiRTHOAY | “Jim!” CHRISIAAS WAS CELEBRATED ON JANUARY 6, APRIL 20 AND MAY 20 UNTK THE 4 CENTURY, POPE 3ULWS 1 FINALLY Meoveva Saxon LoRDS INTRODUCED “OPEN +OUSE* BANQUETS. ANERRY-MAKING OFTEN LASTED UNTIL TWELFTH NIGHT AFTER CHRISTMAS. ROAST PEACOCK WAS THE MAIN Dist #+T CHRISTMAS CARDS LIKE THESE MD US ALL OF OUR YULETIDE TAGE. THEY VE CARRIED HOLIDAY WISHES “TO FRIENDS AND LovED ONES EVERYWHERE FOR QVER 100 Years ) B i) The stranger touched Joey’s ear.'come home this Christmas,” Ma- “You said a momeat ago that rie chipped in, ‘“‘but I guess God Cloverdale was the best piace injdidn’t hear our prayer. Doctor the world if — and then you stop-| Yates says our daddy probably had ped. What did you mean by if?” {amnesia and might come home “If my daddy was here,” Joey some day.” Said, tears clouding his brown The man seemed to have diffi- eyes. culty with his voice for the mo- “He was the bestest daddy that ment. ever was!” | “I'd like to walk home with you “Did you daddy go away?” children, if you wouldn’t mind,” “Yes,” Joey said. the said gently. “And your mother — she’s — jyou don’t have no other daddy?” rie led the stranger was an un- “We prayed for our daddy to pretentious one, sitting back a dis- The house where Joey and Ma- ‘ tance from the street. A slender woman garbed in a pink and white checked house dress opened the door and stood smiling at them. “We found the mans at the jehurch,” Joey explained excitedly. |THE CITIZEN—Xmas Edition The woman, her soft grey eyes her feet. overflowing with tears of bappk A quick step add the stranger ness, unwound her arms from had her in his arms. “Mary!” he about the stranger's neck and took said in a choked voice, “Thank the hands of her two children, God! Just a week ago today I had Their eyes filled with awe, looked an accident, A car overturned. I trustingly up at her. knew who I was again! I came’ “Darling she cried, “God did as fast as I could! I learned it hear ow Your DADDY had been six years!” is home for Christmas!” she cried, swaying on avers Thursday, December 24, 1989 “He’s a nice mans! He knew my daddy!” We all wish to extend to you Christmas greetings and good will, and may boundless Holiday cheer be yours. To our ever-widen- ing circle of friends we are especially grate- ful this year.” M. Floriette Albury “You live here, mister?” the boy | asked, when the song was finish- ed. i The man shook his head. “No, | but I did a long time ago.” | “Didn’t you like it here?” the) boy insisted. “Very much.” The boy shook his head in be- wilderment, “I wouldn’t never live Then the man and Joey’s mother) | : stared into each other's eyes for a} Southernmost Texaco Service fcueines 4 $00 TRUMAN AVENUE DIAL 26123 anywhere but Cloverdale!” he di fended loyally. “It’s the bestest place in the whole-world-if only—” | The man saw the girl nudge her | brother with an elbow. “‘What’s| your name, young men?” the man | asked. -| “Joey and my sister’s name is Marie.” The stranger turned his head and gazed down the long; white street. | For no apparent reason, seemin; ly, his lips quivered for a moment. | “Where do you live’? he asked foey. | Joey pointed a stubby finger to the east. “Down there,” he ex- jained. “Joey means across the the little girl said. To everyone at Christmas time comes the joy of giving and receiving. It is our Pleasure now to offer our sincerest ‘wishes for a very cheerful Holiday to all our friends. ALTMAN'S FURNITURE CO. 900 Duval Street To all our friends... here's to a Merry Christmas and a very gay New Year. Crusoe Insurance Agency 902 FLORIDA STREET DIAL 2-2342 Best Wishes Ars the lights of the Holiday Season beam bright and glorious, we wish all of our fiends and patrons a full measure of joy and happiness for Chsistanas and the New Year. SOUTH SEAS GIFT SHOP Season’s Greetings to All Our Friends oa twinkling feet and o abide with you, Miay yours be a holiday overflowing with happiness and good cheer. Frank's Gulf Service Station 801 EATON STREET Erina and Frank Caraballo DION and JOHNSTON 825 DUVAL STREET