EE [ES SS po Ba ag X »? to become refreshed at the shrine of life. . church of your choice. for forty years. it A DALLAS, PENNSYLVANIA THE DALLAS POST, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1962 : WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS TO ME “What Christmas Means To Me” WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS TO ME By REV. RUSSELL LAWRY Dallas Methodist Christmas first of all means the observance of the an- niversary of the birth of Christ who came into this world to reveal supremely God's plan and purpose for all man- kind: What is this plan and purpose? It is that we can know and enjoy eternal life, it is to know that our lives can be saved from the power of sin, and, it is to know that our lives can radiate love, faith, hope and charity. If we “are willing to practice these virtues, to their highest, on this special day why not practice them every day? We are all aware that modern observance has become dominated by commercialism. I believe it is possible to observe this day and to possess the real Chritmas spirit amid this commercialism IF in the giving and receiving of gifts there will be behind them the purpose for which Christ was sent to this earth. In the words of Henry VanDyke “Then you can keep Christmas! And, if you keep it for a day, why not al- ways? But you can mever keep it alone.” WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS TO ME By ROBERT DEWITT YOST Shavertown Methodist - Christmas is God's healing message to the people of the earth. It is the voice of the stalwart first century char- acters teaching us how to solve the great issues of the hour to discover peace within our own hearts. How we are called by the Shepherds of old to become concerned for the things of the spirit, to leave our fever- ish tasks on the hillsides of life long enough to worship in a place of holiness. - When they saw the Star of Bethlehem they followed it “Old restless- ness, old frailities, old pain from hungers of the soul were somehow healed.” How we are called by the Wise Men ofl old to capture the spirit of adventure, to travel mew roads, blaze new trails, attain mew goals! Because of their wisdom and daring: “Their hearts were stirred; their feet had trod A road to peace; they learned of God!” Only as we travel with the Wise Men of old will we find the solace and courage for the “hopes and fears of all the years” and sing with incredible splendor, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.” ; These people teach us the healing message of God. May it give fis increased stature, and enable us to lead others to the Way of the Child of Bethlehem. WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS TO ME By REV. ANDREW PILLARELLA Trinity United Presbyterian “Fear mot, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto] you id bod this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” © Luke 2:10-11. As the day of Christmas draws migh, let us remember that it was to a family that the Shepherds and Wise Men came on the world’s first Christmas. It was in a family group that they found the infant Jesus. There should be mo doubt in our minds that the hap- _ piest Christian festival is Christmas because it is a time for the family to come together. Christmas is also a time when we recall the happy moments we had with loved ones no longer with us. We should pause for a few moments and give thanks to God for the season, of Christmas. Think of the Holy Family now im the world’s first Christmas — this is a re- minder of God's great gift of His Son to the world for our redemption and a reminder of God's call to.faith. Let us journey together im spirit to Bethlehem to hear the sweetest story ever told . . .. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David q Savior, which is Christ the Lord” Luke 2:11. You can make this Christmas a truly blessed season for you and your family by attending the Come to claim the Christ Child as your very own and may His loving presence attend you and yours throughout the coming year. WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS TO ME By REV. CHARLES H. GILBERT Retired Minister The New English Bible puts it in mew words: “God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, that everyone who has faith mm him may not die but have eternal life.” That's what made Bethlehem famous. That's what drew shepherds down from the mountain. That's what certain easterners jourmeyed to find out. That's what— with many variations on the theme — I've been preaching Thank God my parents knew this Christ and so I knew Him. What it means to me personally.is this: that what I know I could never do for myself in my deep meed God has dome for me through Jesus Christ whose coming we celebrate at Christmas. God loved; God ~ gave; I received. That's a pretty wonderful story for being so brief, isn’t it? WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS TO ME By REV. CHARLES H. FRICK Huntsville Christian My childhood background was fortunate. When I was eleven my mother came to me at a country church Christmas services and asked for one of my ten gifts to put back on the tree for a poor boy whose name had not been called. She came a second time. I learned “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Today we reverse the procedure and teach our children it is more blessed to get. Fifty-three years ago 'Mrs. Frick brought from Ohio the idea of the “White Gift Service”. Our children gave, and . so did the church. The change from a chimney Christmas in this whole region started then and there. But still we lag behind the program and spirit of the first Christmas. The date of our celebration was timed to coincide with the bestial Roman Saturnalia so that Christians could honor the King’s birthday unmolested. They were dis- covered, the church barred and burned, worshippers in- cluded. The spirit and practices of that pagan festival are all too prevalent. That is not the road to Christmas! “Let us go mow even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass.” WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS TO ME By REV. RALPH A. WEATHERLY “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . That was thel the Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world . . . . to them gave He power to become the sons of God . . . The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth”. This is the description of the philosopher St. John of the mystery of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. A poet, St. Luke, paints His birth in Bethlehem, making thus each family and home sacred. M ay all the joys of the Yuletide season be | yours in great abundance! Plumbing eral area in the hills back o Ha || town. They were not huntin; Every really Christian family gathers actually or in memory at this holy season to strengthen bonds of loyal- ty, standing together against the evils of the world, wait- ing in silence and humble devotion for God's gift of His Son come to redeem us, — coming) as a Baby left in the care of Mary and Joseph and the faithful. Thus all. par- ents and all homes become sacramental. With joy and hope, in truth and better love wei may go anew from worship to bear to others the Good News of God’s grace. This I believe with all my heart is the meaning of Christmas. Dallas Methodist Choir Enjoys Christmas Party Dallas Methodist Senior Choir held its annual Christmas Party in the recreational room Friday eve- ning. Dinner was prepared and served by the WSCS. Co-chairmen Alberta Cross and Adeltha Mahler planned all decorations and enter- tainment. Each table had for a centerpiece a Santa sleigh filled with poinsettia blossoms, and at each place a mini- ture sleigh with a white pack con- taining gift handkerchiefs. Members exchanged gifts, and a period of singing Yuletide hymns followed an hour of popular games. Specially invited guests were Rev. and Mrs. Russell Lawry. Attending were: Fern Coldren, director of music; Alberta Cross, Alma Drake, Billie Elston, Grace Fleming, Adeltha Mahler, Ivah Mitchell, Diane Myers, Mary Reese, Edith Shaffer, Shirley Weidner, Dr. David Kunkle, Arthur Miller, Budd Nelson, Dick: Oliver, Don Weidner, and Don Williams. Choir members not present were Marion Harvey, Mildred Smith, Robert Brown, and James Darling. Lenette Clare Nordfors Mr, and Mrs. Leonard Clayton Nordfors, Demunds Road, East Dal- las, announce the birth of a daugh- ter, Lenette Clare Nordfors, De- cember 17 at General Hospital. They also have a son, Leonard Clay- ton Jr., a year and a half old. Mrs, Nordfors is the former Betty Lou Miller, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Miller, East Dallas. Mr. Nordfors, originally from Hartford, Conn., is employed at The Dallas Post. Speaks On Holiday Decor To Newcomers Club Mrs. Leonard Adamshick spoke on holiday decorations to members of the Welcome Wagon Newcomers Club November 26 at the YWCA. Mrs. Adamshick, Lehman, teaches this subject at Back Mountain Home-Makers Holiday in Shaver- town. Mrs. Donald Weber, Trucksville, was appointed to take reservations in this area for the Christmas Din- ner Dance, scheduled for December 15 at Twin Grill Europa Lounge. Oneys Have New Som Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Oney, Shavertown, announce the birth of an eight pound, eleven ounce baby boy at General Hospital on Tues- | day, November 27. This is their first child. Mrs. Oney is the former Joan Schmall. Mr. Oney is son of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Oney of Shaver- town. J Idetown Men Get Bucks On First Day Among those who got mice bucks early on the opening day of deer season were: Walter Meade, Idetown garage man, and John Landis Oak Hill. p> Walter got a six-point buck at 9:15. John got his in the same gen- Raymond Hoover, 54, Buried At Forty Fort Raymond Hoover, 54, for the past two years resident of Orange, died of a heart attack Sunday morn- ing after a period of failing health. He was buried Wednesday after- noon in Forty Fort Cemetery follow- ing services conducted by Rev. Wil- liam Reid, pastor of Orange Meth- odist Church, of which Mr. Hoover was a member. Longtime resident of Wilkes- Barre, he was a truck driver, em- ployed in the produce business. He was a veteran of World War IL He leaves a brother William, with whom he made his home; two other brothers, David and Kenneth, both of Harrisburg; three sisters: Mrs. Cora Leventhall, Harrisburg; Mrs. Harriet Patterson, Glens Falls, N. Y.; Mrs. Margaret Tressider, Harrisburg. The “red kettles” of Christmas” have been used by The Salvation Army since 1894. Contributions to The Salvation Army Christmas Appeal provide hol- iday dinners for the hungry, toys for children, food and clothing for less fortunate families, and Christmas remembrances for the sick, for the aged, for servicemen far from home, and for many others: this Christmas?” want and need. satisfied in order to live? should be. selfish selves. Saviour. Christ the Lord.” and dwelt among us.” to answer our every need. Christmas. By Rev. John S. Prater A question commonly asked at this time of year is: “What do you want for Christmas? What do you meed When this question is asked us, we usually think of those material things which we think we But what do we really need this Christmas? What are those deeper needs which al] men everywhere need to have We all need love — we all need forgiveness — we all need to be accepted for what we are and not for what we We all need a secure foundation which will not wash away when trial and tribulation come our way. We all need someone to pull us out of our destructive, What I am saying is that we all need a At Christmas time, we hear the words; “For unto you is born this day, in the City of David, a Saviour which is Christmas medns that a Saviour has come! In the words of St. John, “The Word became flesh, God stooped to our level in order This is the supreme joy of Dropping at the H. H. Rymer home, Lehigh Street, Shavertown, is like drifting into fantasyland. Dozens of lovely Christmas ar- rangements - a sparkle with silver, tinsel, red and green balls and poinsettias. They hang from the lamps in artistic assemblage, cover tables and decorate walls. Jeweled cornucopias, miniature sleighs with tiny gaily wrapped gifts, brilliant candy dishes, scenic wall mats, a snowman on a wee pedestal, silver trees with unusual hangings; golden scales and even the humble dust pan filled with miniature deer astound the casual visitor. Through the doorway beams a pleasant Santa with a tinsel merry- go-round spinning overhead, while an artistic net wreath adorns the front door. All these, original in design, are the products of Mrs. Rymer’s gifted hands and fertile imagination. Always a lover of beauty whether it be flowers or artistic, artificial arrangements, Mrs. Rymer took courses from Cornell to enhance her knowledge of this field. A former Mrs. Rymer's Fertile Imagination Develops Unique Christmas Displays resident of Utica, N, Y., where her husband represented Magnus Chem- ical Company, she taught courses in corsage making and basketry under the college extension program. She has a unique collection of raffia woven dishes in Mexican motif as a reminder of her teach- ing days. She has done table ar- rangements for weddings, banquets and teas and is always in demand as decorations chairman for local church and hospital organizations. While in Utica, she was a member of Sequoit Valley Federated :Clubs and Floral Arts Group and many are the blue ribbons she has cap- tured.” Her husband, an excellent photographer, has taken many pictures of her displays. Mr. Rymer, who enjoys helping in any way he can, provides the woods for many of basic patterns. In his spare time he turns out at- tractive name plates. The Rymers have lived in Shaver- town for six years since his retire- ment. They have many friends throughout the area and are happy to be near their two sons, Gene who lives in Shavertown and Dick in Kingston, Ross Walker, Rotary Exchange Student from Myrtleford, Victoria, Australia, will tour New York City from December 27 to 29 as the guest of his friend, John Landis, Dallas, and Michael Yurko, Hunlock’s Creek. The trip will be John’s Christmas gift to his new friend. John and Mike have been making a visit to the metropolis for the past three years during the holi- day vacation. The boys will attend the Metro- Fred Anderson Attends Insurance Meeting Fred Anderson, Shavertown, at- tended a regional meeting of Na- ‘Agencies at Coral Rock Steak House, Chinchilla, last Thursday evening, Hubert Cherrie of Douglasville, district manager, and Walker Shan- non, Harrisburg, state manager of Pennsylvania and West Virginia, Charles H. Long TO GET MORE HEAT FOR YOUR MONEY ITE a heating oil “Clean-burning” makes oil more dependable . . . more economical. And Gulf Solar Heat fuel oil is purified with hydro- gen. It burns cleaner and hotter to give you more heat per dollar. Start saving! Order from us today CHARLES H. LONG Sweet Yor tional Grange Insurance Company | Students Have Busy Holiday Planned In New York City politan Opera House, Radio City Music Hall, “The Sound of Music,” a musical, and a ballet, “The Nut- cracker Suite.” They will visit the United Na- tions, the Statue of Liberty, Cathe- dral of St. John the Divine, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Grand Central Station, Greenwich Village, Rocker- feller Center and the Subway. Riss is presently staying with the Fred Ecks in Shavertown and Mrs. Eck reports that he is a grand boy and fits in fine with the family. At Geisinger Frank Wadas, Jr., Holcomb Road Shavertown, is a patient at the Geis- inger Medical Center where he sum- mitted to surgery this week. conducted the meeting. Fifteen representatives of sur- rounding areas were present. Thursday Fix a Colorful Orange - Lime Chocolate Vanilla Banana Pineapple Black Raspberry Black Walnut ® Orange ® Vanilla and Chocolate FORTY SECTION B—PAGE 3 EG COE CO AD CC BEST WISHES FOR A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM YOUR LIBRARY # —~