B4 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, December 23, 1997

The Christmas gift

Thank You

Dear Sir:

Clarence Michiel Elementary thanks the many Terrace businesses for donating items to our 18th annual Christmas Bazaar.

In particular the donation of a beautiful Christmas tree, complete with decora- tions, was very appreciated.

We would also like to thank the parents, staff, stu- dents and friends who sup- ported us. The bazaar was a great success.

All proceeds from the bazaar have been donated to the Salvation Army.

Clarence Michiel staff .

Dear Sir:

Heartfelt thanks gocs out to all those who made the Dec, 13 programme at the REM Lee Theatre such a SUCCESS,

Thank you to: the or- chestra, which extended themselves greatly; to the wonders of a renewed com- munity choir; to Terry Anderson for developing this truly grand vocal ensemble; to the soloists Myma Fisher, Becky Bloski and John Arsenault; and to Carrie Lee and all the people who gave so un- selfishly of their time to make such a night possible.

I admit to being somewhat overwhelmed by such an

amazing audience who gen-.

erated such electricity as could light the city for that hour and 45 minutes.

Such an event does not show the culmination of what can be done in Ter- race, but merely lifts the cover off the first step towards where we can go with the talent available right here on our doorstep.

My apologies to all those who could not get into the theatre. Such response was not anticipated.

I’m sure, all things being equal, that the Messiah will

event in Terrace;

The best of Christmas to

ail, and may we ail come to- gether as a team in 1998.

By PASTOR RON ROOKER CHRISTMAS is on its way; the stores are preparing and advertising for that mad house rush that comes with people looking for the perfect gift.

We get caught up in the hustle and bustle of planning, baking and wrapping of presents and the excitement and anticipa- tion of seeing friends and loved ones again.

But for some it’s not so happy a time. Christmas brings loneliness and painful memories of drunken abuse, It sees children longing for a divorced parent and others wondering what it’s all about?

To some degree we all comment on and yet overlook the brazen materialism and commercialization of this fascinating time of year. With a hint of resignation we sigh and say it’s for the kids.

But wait a minute. What is Christmas all about? I think many people would say that Christmas is a day set aside to celebrate the birth of Christ and yet they have no under- standing of the significance and the purpose of his birth. Such was my case.

I was totally confused; a Santa display in one yard and a nativily scene in another. The message of the season ‘Peace on Earth goodwill to all men’’ frustrated me.

‘“‘What peace?’’ I personally mocked the season’s sentiments expressed on greeting cards and spray-painted on store windows. The hymns meant nothing to me. When the season passed, so did my musings.

At the ripe old age of 29, I met the man who was the reason for the season, and for the first time in my life @ glimmer of under- standing dawned in my mind. Peace on Earth meant being at peace with myself, being at peace with the abuses in my past, being at peace with those around me, but most importantly being at peace with God.

The world cries for peace, yet there have been more wars in the last hundred years than in all previous recorded history. Peace eludes us to the degree that the U.N. is using the threat of war to establish uneasy peace among warring factions.

What the world needs is a Prince of Peace, someone who is able to bring peace, not impose it as a dictator, nor hock it like some TV evangelist.

Tt must be someone who is able to impart His ways, His wisdom, His peace so that his life and values become ours to live.

This brings me back to my original ques- tion, Why do we celebrate Christmas?

What is the reason for the season? Be- lieve it or not Christmas originated as a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. In the Bible the book of Isaiah 9:6. reads: For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulders. And his name shall be cailed

become, T hope,yan; annual Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Ever- “Sg lasting Rather Prince of Peacen iF + 2 o~

This Bible verse is a prophecy looking forward to the birth of Christ, written ap-

_ proximately 750 years before it happened.

_ Jim Ryan! There is much to say about it, but notice

sant

Brenda Quinn Shelly Friesen Ted Wyalt Jean Essensa Frank Landry

one of Christ’s titles as the Prince of Peace,

Look at what Christ said. He had the power to give peace to those who would receive him. Jn 14:27 — J am leaving you with a gift —peace of mind and heart.

And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid,

View Poin

You see, peace is a gift from God. If there is to be peace on earth it can only happen if the world’s people receive the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.

True inner peace starts when I know I have been accepted by God. When I was a missionary, lots of people would say ‘‘T Don’t believe in God’' and “‘I don't be- lieve I need Christ in my life.”’

Multiply that reasoning by a few billion People and you can begin to waderstand mans’ problem. What a contradiction!

The world rejects Christ, but celebrates his birth world-wide. War, hate, crime, violence, family breakup, and just about every one of society’s woes can be at- tributed to the rejection of the Prince of Peace and His heart’s desire for mankind.

I know this sounds very religious, but the basic problem is man’s rejection of God’s desire for reconciliation.

Acts 4:12 the Bible reads: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

The Bible clearly teaches that God yearns to love, yearns to be known, and yeamis to be loved and appreciated.

It also teaches us that God desires to com- fort the broken-hearted, help those who are heavy laden and heal the broken hearted. The Bible also teaches that Christ, the Prince of Peace, is the spitting mirror image of his Father.

From the Bible here is what Jesus is ©

saying to us. Mat. 11:28-30 — Come to me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and Iwill give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart and you shall find rest unto your

souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light,

God, through his Son Jesus Christ holds the gift for cach one of us, In this gift there is forgiveness, acceptance, peace and rest for our inner self, if we will receive it.

Maybe Christmas doesn’t have much -

meaning for you anymore. I understand to-

tally, but I can .promise. you this: receive —

God’s glft and-he will delight in you this Christmas. Have a wonderful Christmas.

The views expressed in the above article are those ef the author and not necessarily those of the Terrace Standard.

WINNERS!

Nov, 23 Winners Dec.5 Winners Dec. 12 Winners Dec. 19 Winners

$100 Jackie Collier Jacob McKay Peter Zvatora Conchita McCauley Doninic Gagnon $250 Peter Leeson David Cobbs

$100 Michael Moleski Rebecca Collins Henry Holleufer Ursula Radocay Bill Keenleyside $250 Dorothy Hippisley Larry Brealey

$100 Marjorie Nelson Terence Irving Wilma Zips Steve Bell Den Roberts $7000 George Fifield

CONGRATULATIONS!

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“YOu BE THE JUDGE

This highway belong to me and my cows

Farmer Brown put down the phone thal

slowly. ; _ “What was that about?” asked his wife Abigail.

“Nothing that would interest you woman. Just about the farm. Men's business.”

Abigail stomped over to Farmer Brown, now settled in his Lazy-Boy and

BASED ON ACTUAL COURT “CASES oe

Fr ; ou're gone, the government is cin; listening to the radio. to charge its mind-and not let us eose She shut off the radio. | that highway." Don’t you Woman’ me. net Brown looked straight ahead.

farm was my Daddy's. signed it over to you. So yau tel! me what that call was about, — Farmer 8rown sighed in defeat. "It's the government. They're going to give me part of the new highway. rlighwey?t What highway" “Woman, you better get used to it. There Is going to be a highway going right in the middle of our land. | made a deal with them,” ; Abigail grabbed her smelling salts. “Farmer Brown, you better tell me what kind of a deal you made. Next thing | know you'll be trading me for peat moss at the general store. Brown looked annoyed. “Deal was they can bulld it, but |

“Son, you can always trust the govern- ment in Nova Scotia. They're the straightest shooters that ever...” rown suddenly grabbed his chest and toppled over, Heart attack done im in.

The boys were right to worry, The overnment changed its mind about e highway.

“We never made a deal." ;

_ . Bud and his brother looked spiffy in their formal attire as they addressed the Judge. ; “Your Honour, the Department of Transport promised our father that we would own part of the highway. This allowed us to transport our cattle from

ide of the farm to the other. Just et a tramp over the highway for the cat: because the deal was not in writin ' g fe, ang we'd own fiat part of the doesn't mean the government can Ab gall slowly lowered herself on ack out now!

The government people shrugged their shoulders,

“We doubt that such a part owner- ship of the highway even existed, your Honour. Even if it did, the deal made with Farmer Brown was illegal, The law says that In order for someone to own part of public property, it must be in writing. We can't keep a deal that was

the scfa. Ine for th 4

“Who's paylng for the ramps an their u Keep?

“Government, of course.”

"Got it in writing, my smart husband?”

No, but around these man's word Is all you need,- me in peace.”

arts, a iow leave

Twenty-seven years later, Brown "ever made.” was riding with his two grown sons on Should the government be

Bud spoke u

D. required to keep the deal? Youl Be The “Dad, we're wortied that once 2U

udge, Then look below for the deci- sion.

ae ev & G Rug | s LAWYERS “4p - Vv >

“Helping People Cope with the Legal System” #2 4623 Lakelse Ave.,

om

Terrace, B.C.

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YOU BE THE JUDGE - DECISION

"The deal stands!" exclaimed the judge. “The government has maintained the ramps for 27 years, showing that they know about the deal, Just because proper procedure wasn't followed back then, Ht doesn’t mean they can back

cut now. .

YOU! BE THE JUDGE is based on actual court cages. Today's decision is based an the facts of {he case and the law of the province of Manitoba | If pou have a similar problem, plaase cansult Lindsey & Gruegar..Clatra Barnsteln is a Montreal lawyar and nationally syndicated columnist, Copyright 1997 Haika Enterprises. B£2-5 m

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