es Smit "Great eee Me TES, SRT Page 10 December 1986 Cassiar Courier CHRISTMAS. STORY CONTESTANTS CONGRATULATIONS TO KATHERINE LANTEIGNE AND VANESSA CLARK THANKYOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED. JUDGES WERE PAULINE WOODROW AND KAREN TAPLIN “WHAT WILL SANTA DO IF HIS REINDEER § winner gr.d-7 = HAVE THE FLU D By Katherine Lanteigne, Grade 6 Once upon a time in 1975 there lived an unloved and lonely elf. This elf was lonely and unloved because this 8 e/f was a girl. All of the other elves would laugh and taunt Kher just because she said that she could make Tonka KR trucks, dinky cars, and transformers. For all of the girl ? elves helped Mrs. Claus bake, and the boy elves would ymake the toys. But Kizo elf didn’t like to bake, She was ~a tomboy. When Kizo got tired of everybody calling her names, Kshe ran away to a little hut she had found. Kizo said 4 she’d stay there the rest of her life since nobody loved R her. WHAT IS CHRISTMAS? By Stefan Bilodeau, Grade 7 John: Hey guys, what do you want to do? Smith, Jenny, Ken, Jason: | don’t know. Ken: Why don‘t we talk about Christmas? Jason: Jenny, what do you think of Christmas? Jenny: | think Christmas is for candies, cookies and decorating the Christmas tree. What do you think about Christmas, Smith? Smith: Well, | don't know, maybe Christmas is just a time to get the presents we want ands a lot of sweet things. Jason: You know, what | think: “Christmas is a time when Santa gives presents away to good kids.” Ken: | think Christmas is everything you all said. Jenny: Smith, what do you want for Christmas? | want one of those beauty sets in the Christmas catalogue. Smith: Nothing special. Jenny: What about you Jason? Jason: Maybe, just a new bike. Jenny: What do you plan to get, Ken? Ken: / want a new stereo. Jenny: John, do you want anything for Christmas? John: NO, NO, you all are wrong about Christmas. Christmas is not only for presents and candies; it is for loving, sharing and remembering our Lord Savior, Jesus Christ, for He was born on Christmas night. Christmas is also the day that . you remember the three Kings who followed a * shining star to Jesus’ stable bringing gifts to Him. Also the shepherds who came to see the new- born Baby. We can also think about the two great parents, Mary and Joseph He had. Ken, Smith, Jenny, Jason: Jee, we didn’t know that, thanks John. Jason: What’s this? Jenny: It looks like an old Christmas song book. John: Look, there’s a song we know. Ken: Let’ s sing it. All sing, first verse of -_ Away-in.a Magger .~- Santa and his elves were finished preparing for Christ- mas early. When there was a count for the elves, he found one missing, but Santa knew that elf would return. But when Mrs. Claus told Santa about his reindeer having the flu, he was most upset. Mrs. Claus tried all of’ her remedies to help cure the reindeer, but none of them would work. She. told Santa that the only one they knew who could fight this flu was Kizo elf. Kizo elf had a heritage of lots of doctors, and many witch doctors, and her uncle showed her a magic trick to fight the flu if reindeers ever caught it. “Oh dear! Oh dear! What am | to do? My reindeer have the flu and Kizo elf isn’t here!” Santa started to cry. “There, there Santa. Don’t cry,” said Kizo elf. “Is that you?” asked Santa. “Yes, it is,” said Kizo.““But | thought you'ran away,” said Santa. “Oh, | did, Santa, but the joy and happiness of Christmas brought me back!” said Kizo elf. “Kizo, | have assigned you to a new job. You will work with the boy elves!” said Santa. “Kizo could you cure the flu that my reindeer have caught?” “Oh, yes, Santa, right away!” No one knew what Kizo was doing, but she stayed ina little apartment room for seven hours. When she came out she gave Dasher, Dancer, Comet, Vixen, Donner, Cupid, Prancer and Blitzen, a teaspoon of this blue bubbly stuff. All of the reindeers felt terrific except Rudolph. Kizo knew just what to do. She had to give him two teaspoons of the bubbly stuff because of his big red nose he needed extra strength. So Kizo got her new job, cured the reindeers’ flu, and most important, lived happily ever after. MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS AWA Y FROM HOME By Christina Kwan, Grade 6 ! was lying on my bed when suddenly | heard a bell ringing inside my living room. 1! quickly ran downstairs and into the living room. 1! couldn’t believe my eyes, there on my living room floor were eight reindeer, a beautiful red sled, and fat, chubby man dressed like Santa Claus. 1 was scared. “What the heck are you doing in my living room?” | yelled. “I’m Santa Claus and | need your help,” he said. “What proof do you have-to tell me you‘re Santa Claus?” | asked. “See this lone long beard, only Santa Claus has one. Come pull he said. | walked over and pulled it as hard as | poss- ig could. The beard didn’t come off. | believed him. “Okay, | believe you, But what do you want me to do?” | asked. “We must save the poor, hungry, and sad people in Ethiopia,” he said. “Okay, I'll go with you,” | said. Once we were on the sleigh, Santa Claus reached into his bag and took out a present for me. Then.sudd- enly the reindeers started running, and we were in the sky. | was scared, so | tried going to sleep. Finally, | fell asleep. Suddenly, | was awakened by a loud bump. We finally made it. Ethiopia was hot and dry. Santa and | went to explore. The people lived in huts and were so skinny. Theit faces were sad. When we got to the village, the people ran toward us and crowded around. The people stared at us in a peculiar way. The next thing | knew was Santa started speaking a language which | couldn’t understand, but the people could understand. Then the children formed a line and Santa and | started passing out presents and candies to them. | was so happy to see the children’s smiles. Then the adults formed a line, and Santa and | started passing out bags of food which could last for two years. Then Santa and | sang songs to the people, Everyone had such a good time. This was truly my favorite Christmas. Then it was time to go. An Ethiopian girl ran up to me and gave me necklace made of white stones. / bent over and gave her a kiss. | was so happy. Suddenly | was back in my bed! Everything was back to normal again. and next to me was the present and «the necklace. end. / knew it was not.a 2. dream, ‘eae a6 a ner tet Oyen MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS 3 : winner gr.1-4 AWAY FROM HOME By Vanessa Clark, Grade 4 Far away from Cassiar Our family we did travel, Over hill and over dale, And lots of snow and gravel. At last we arrived at Gramma’s house So weary and so tired, “Come inside,”” Grampa said, “You surely look perspired.”’ i Gramma brought us hot chocolate, 1 Grampa helped us with the luggage, y Mom and Dad, at this time, were feeling very sluggish. The next day was Christmas, with lots of goodies and treats. “Boy, oh boy,” us children said, “What a lot to eat!” Grampa took us sledding, Gramma helped us bake, We helped around the farm until — our bodies ached. y Now that it’s all over, Y, / always will remember, . y) My favorite Christmas away from home that December. WHAT WILL SANTA DO, WHEN HIS REINDEER HAVE THE FLU? By John Tyne, Grade 7 The simplest thing to do /f Santa’s reindeer had the flu Would be to visit Doctor Fix It At the North Pole Zoo! WHAT WILL SANTA DO WHEN HIS REINDEER HAVE THE FLU? By Michael Tyne, Grade 4 lf Santa’s reindeer caught the flu, Santa would turn blue. He’d get very mad then turn sad, Not knowing what to do! He‘d go ask you! Youd tell him Wacky Wilma Witch might always help him in a pinch. With a twitch of her nose You would know her ideas grow. When at last all is clear, Time to get the old reindeer, To a spot that is near Fora witch’s brew to come true. Wacky Wilma Witch does say; Runny nose, achoos and blows,- = =~ « ae the lanidOf woes} © er ee — = = Our Lady of Lourdes Church Fr. Ivan McCormack O.M. 1. SPECIAL SERVICES FOR ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS Tuesday, Dec. 16: 7:30 p.m., Advent Service of Reconciliation Wednesday, Dec. 24: 5:00 p.m., Christmas Mass at Good Hope Lake 71:30 p.m., Christmas Eve Carol Singing 12:00, Midnight Mass 11:00 a.m., Christmas Day Mass 7:15 p.m. Feast of the Holy Family 11:00 a.m., Feast of the Holy Family 5:00 p.m. Feast of the Holy Family Good Hope Lake Thursday, Jan. 1/87: 11:00 a.m., Feast of Mary Monies of God Thursday, Dec. 25: Saturday, Dec. 27: Sunday, Dec. 28: REGULAR SERVICES FOR DECEMBER & JANUARY Saturday Evening - 7:15 p.m. Sunday Morning - 11:00 a.m. Sunday Evening (Good Hope Lake) - 5:00 p.m. Religious Education - Monday, 6:30 p.m. (Church Hall) CHRISTMAS MESSAGE From the beginning of time, God has desired to have a deep relationship with us, his people, so that we would always know that he /oves us and that he is with us.Jesus is EMMANUEL - God with us. At Christmas we celebrate the fact that our God took our human nature in order to share our life and walk. the journey of life with us. Our God comes to us,not as a powerful king, but as a small helpless child, He comes not to force his way into our lives, but-to invite us to follow his way and to live by his Spirit. Let us pray with deep gratitude during this Christ- mas Season: “Almighty God and Father of Light, a child is born forus and a son is given to us. Your eternal word leaped down from heaven in the silent watches of the night, and now your people are filled with wonder at the nearness of our God. Open our hearts to re- ceive this life and and increase our vision with the rising of the dawn, that our lives may be filled with His glory and His peace. He lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.” ALL SAINTS ANGLICAN CHURCH NEWS SERVICES Sunday Worship - 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion - Ist, 3rd and 5th Sunday of the month Morning Prayer - 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month Women’s Auxillary - 2nd Monday of month at 7:30 p.m.- CHRISTMAS SERVICES Festival of Lessons and Carols - Sunday, December 21 at 7:00 p.m. ~ -Christmas Eve: Family Eucharist - 7:30 p.m. Midnight Eucharist -11:30 p.m. “How long do we have to put up with that puffed up, supercillious, phony, holy mouse?” he demanded. “You mean Julian.” “Yes, Julian. That high stepping, aristo- cratic, Anglo-Catholic, celibate, bag of wind,” Zachary ex- ploded, nearly losing his balance and falling off the car- riage. Zachary, Priscilla and Kendall, the resident brassmice at All Saints’ Church had been in an uproar ever since the arrival of this new brassmouse by the name of Julian. When asked if perhaps he had a last name he replied with an accent that was decidedly Oxfordshire, “Julian of Norwich.” Julian is plainly aristocratic. He has large graceful ears that sweep back from his slightly elongated eyes and a long slender nose. Julian, it seems,is somewhat of a holy mouse and has devoted his life to the service of © the Church’s worship and it is this that has got the brass- mice family so upset. Zachary came tumbling into the minister’s office, scrambled up the leg of the typing table and planted him- self firmly on the carriage of the typewriter. The minister looked up from the keyboard in surpise, gave Zachary a quizzical look and inquired if anything was wrong. Rev. Allan Studd “He spends his whole life around the sanctuary,” complained Kendal. “He makes me feel like I have never had an ounce of religiosity in me,” Priscilla muttered. “Well, what’s he doing this time,” the minister inquired mildly of his rather excited guest. “He is dancing all around the Advent wreath muttering incantations and then standing in front of it staring off into space as if he were in a trance.” “Julian is only asking God that the wreath will powerfully remind us of the great preparation we must do for Christmas,” ventured the minister. “I think that we should accept people in their difference call- ings. Julian is called to serve God by directing people in their worship. As such he is devoted to the Church. We are very lucky to have him with us. Just let Julian go about his own ways and try to get to know him. I think you will find a heart of gold in there. Go-call the other mice for a cup of tea and we will discuss our Advent prepara- tions.” With that, Zachary quietly removed himself from ~ the typewriter and went off to get the others. Julian returned with them and when they had all gathered “around the teapot the conversation: drifted to- wards Advent and the Church’s preparation for Christmas. It was Julian who spoke the most. He talked about “this marvelous season of prepafation.” and how the lighting of the candles each week speaks of the coming of the light of God into our darkness. He talked in a conversational way about how the-progressive themes of hope, peace, love and joy reflect the way God wishes us to live and how that is made possible through Jesus Christ. The Good News, born at Christmas means HOPE, PEACE, LOVE and JOY. Jesus Christ makes all these things cerea sad Sc ai ECE EERO SEA ORI J BOO AE AR a R &S& Services Ltd. WOULD LIKE TU TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS OUR . SINCERE WISHES FOR A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON AND CONTINUED HEALTH IN THE COMING YEAR TO ALL OUR FRIENDS AND CUSTOMERS. -BOB & SHERRY SETHEN BUG De afc AIR aR AIC ae MENS TIE SIE SSAC HE ishing you all the best or a Soyous Holiday and a Bright New Year Jrom everyone at Cassiar Courier December 1986 Page 11 THE GOOD, THE BAD, AH! TIS THE SEASON By Lorraine Lanteigne Many individuals find that “the season to be jolly” is often one in which to be depressed. Many are glad to see the month of December disappear from the calendar into a new year. I have often thought that the words “Wish Book” aptly describe the catalogue many of us pour through from September to early December. In the north it is our department store. -We look through the pages and imagine the surprise or magic that will come with the items inside. However, there are many other things we might be wishing for at this tme of year. ’ Things that don’t come in a catalogue. Magazines are agog with Christmas splendour. The. scenes of nostalgic and/or elegant settings provoke deep, feelings of creating “the perfect Christmas”. We wish to accomplish this through baking (which to me often takes on monstrous proportions), decorating (I never have the right things and unless I spent a small fortune on the trailer, it would never look as good as a picture!); and entertaining (not too bad now, but when the children were little it was often a nightmare!) Some people get so many invitations to Christmas social events that time is jammed and party exhaypstion is sure to occur. Others don’t get invited at all and wish they might. Mostly it seems many of us are reaching out, wishing to make the season special - expecting so me and often feeling disappointed in the outcome. It would seem that some “spirit of the season” is lost in the material preparations. A lot of stress seems to be added to our lives, mostly self induced. I’m not proposing that I have lots of simple answers, Each individual should celebrate the season in their own way. I do know from experience though that combining some of the material; with a little fantasy, food and good will can go a long way to keep the spirit of the season. Problems don’t melt away because it’s Christmas, nor does illness. The human situation being what it is, we all cope with whatever. I talked to a few good people of Cassiar and asked them how they took some stress out of the season and kept up the spirit. Here’s a few of the responses that might make your season a little “more merry”: EXERCISE: . Sounds odd! _ Not really. involved in a program and don’t wish to be; gather some friends together for some winter outdoor fun. Skiing, skating, sliding, even a snowball fight will cheer you. A simple “walk and talk” with your family makes good exercise sense. Getting out of the house is good sense for mental health. EATING: At this time of year there are lots of things to eat, goodies most of us would not indulge in. It’s Christ- mas so enjoy! Some good advice, however, is to drink lots of water and eat salads and fresh vegetables. This helps to keep the body functioning au flushes out those sweets and carbohydrates. REST: Take some time out for a “nap” or rest period. Social interaction, whether for kids or grown ups, is at a high this time of year. Getting your rest is important so that you can enjoy those “‘good times’. PLANNING: A little time spent planning the activities of the season will go a long way in establishing a positive progression up to the “big day”. With a little advance work all of the mundane items can be dealt with. Two ladies I spoke with plan to spend some money on a housekeeper. “It’s money well spent. Getting someone in to do a major cleaning takes all of that sort of stress off our shoulders. Working outside. the home, combined with the other activities of a busy schedule with Christmas added to it, makes the hours needed to do a good job of Continued on Page 24 wee [Aw : A If you are not Shy eS mance eee