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PAGEEIGHT I 212 N. Main nsm seamums msawMtmswetmsmsmsmsmsmsaptmswftmsmsmsmsftws ow FRANK NEUENSCHWANDER DEALER IN NEW METHOD PAINT PAINTING and DECORATING FAITH faith in our homes and coi faith in the future munity in men of good will, eternally—this the essence of the Christmas seasi Bluffton, Ohio easons We’re hoping you have a merry old i yuletide, overflowing with holiday WEST on [uffton, Ohio «wwnR»R»«pa ashioned cheer. Santa (Haul Jilt Al 'Suga* SnUeaJt oj Saint a Assailing the Santa Claus myth as ‘foolish fiction’ and rival of the Holy Child, the Rev. John S. Mar tin, editor of the Catholic Review, declared in a 1949 editorial that Santa the saint has been lost in Santa the sugar daddy—and that the whole idea is bad psychology and bad pedagogy. “Our children learn about the reindeer, but have never heard of the ox and the ass,” Father Martin continued and recommended that we: “Leave the man in the red suit to those who have nothing better for whom life must end in disillusion and despair.” Father Martin’s sentiments are reminiscent of Martin Luther’s vigorous campaign against neglect of the central idea of Christmas, which is the birth of Jesus. So, German children have been taught that the Christkind brings the presents—Christkind being depict ed as the messenger of the Infant Jesus sent earthward at Christ mastime to bring happiness to good children. The modern conception of Santa Claus is, of course, 99 per cent fic tional and strictly American. But the spirit of generosity and thoughtfulness as typified by San ta Claus is neither sugar daddy-ish nor essentially American. Unfortu nately not all children who await Santa have learned from their mothers’ lips the story of the Holy Child. Santa's Requests Santa Claus still gets letters from youngsters with the same cherished requests—bicycles and dolls. But last year a child wanted a live cow. He told a department store Santa Another kid wanted a new daddy because hers was “wearing out on “ALL HE WANTS” Young Edward Hospisa of New York makes known Christmas wish, coin a phrase, Christmas is my two front in cisors.” Whether he’ll get them is another story. to Santa He said, All I want Currier and Ives Cards Commercial production of Christmas cards in the United States began about 1835 with the founding and developing of the partnership of Ives in New York. Currier and a century have aided For more than American painters the industry by painting Christ mas themes on order or by sell ing reproduction rights to the art which is now conservatively estimated as worth $10,000,000 annually. The favorite Nativity theme is represented by hundreds of interpretations* Winter scenes are next in popularity, some of them dating back to the Puri tans of New England, the Ger man forests Whence St. Nicho las emerged, and even to the Druids of pre-Christian Eng land. Fewer lambs are to be fed for winter and spring markets due to re duced supply of lambs and continued demand for breeding stock. News Want-ads bring results. I -Ml We all join Santa in a hop from the North Pole to Wish ou th Harold Carey Clayton Bixel Dottie Anderson Edward Pos1 Si|l^ IK: We would like to pause for a moment or two to extend our sincere good wishes and thank you for the patronage you have entrusted us with dur ing the past year May you enjoy Christmas in the good old fash ioned American way. Bluffton Farm Equipment MASSEY HARRIS SALES AND SERVICE 105 E. Elm St, E. F. Schmidt Blu£ton, Ohio The Peace That Lay on Bethlehem To all of our friends and neighbors in this happy American community now so peaceful under Christmas skies we extend to you the SEASON’S GREETINGS Please accept our sincere thanks for the patronage ^ou so graciously extended to us during the past year and we hope to be of service to you in the new year. TOT SHOP THURSDAY, DEC. 21, 1950 I OODS