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The Newberry Sun, Newberry, S. C., Thurs., Dec. 24, 1970—SEC. C, PAGE 5 by CHARLES DICKENS That man must be a misanthrope indeed in whose breast some thing like a jovial feeling is not aroused — in whose mind some pleasant associations are not awakened — by the recurrence of Christmas. There are people who will tell you that Christmas is not to them what it used to be; that each succeeding Christmas has found some cherished hope, or happy prospect, of the year before, dimmed or passed away; that the present only serves to remind them of reduced circumstances and straightened incomes — of the feasts they once be stowed on hollow friends, and of the cold looks that meet them now in adversity and misfortune. Never heed such dismal reminiscences. There are few men who have lived long enough in the world, who cannot call up such thoughts any day in the year. Then do not select the merriest day of the three hundred and sixty five for your doleftd recollections, but draw your chair nearer the blazing fire; fill the glass and send round the song; and if your room be smaller than it was a dozen years ago, or if your glass be filled with reeking punch instead of sparkling wine put a good face on the matter, and empty it off-hand, fill another, and troll off the old ditty you used to sing, and thank God it’s no worse . . . Reflect upon your present blessings — of which every man has many — not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. Fill your glass again, with a merry face and contented heart. Our life on it, but your Christmas shall be merry, and your New Year a happy one. Festive Lights All over the world, countries and people celebrate this radi ant season with a festival of lights. Have a sparkling festi val in your own living room. Hang an enormous crystal chandelier above the tree, its branches and the prisms re flecting light of Christmas time. New Year Weddings The Gypsies in Spain used to marry on . New Year’s Eve. The 18th century writer George Bor row tells us that a main feature of the bridal ceremony was the feasting associated with it. Once the Gypsy couple took their vows, guests swirled down sherry and ate and sang and danced through out the night and day. As we celebrate the Christmas season, may the symbols of peace and freedom enkindle a fraternal spirit in all. JEANETTE K. HAMM Newberry County Auditor Holy Night, all is calm, all is bright. We wish you the great gifts pi friendship, love and peace. SHERIFF B. EUGENE SHEALY and Deputies Newberry County BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM A beautiful custom that orig inated in Austria is the advent wreath. The wreath is made of pine or holly and has four candles in it One candle is lighted on each of four Sun- days preceding Christmas, while one of the children reads a part of the Christmas story from the bible. All four candles are lighted on Christ mas day. Another custom ob served by many Austrian fam ilies is the placing of apple twigs in a vase of water on St. Barbara’s Day, Dec. 4th. If the twigs blossom by Christmas Eve, good fortune will come to the family, and the more blos soms there are, the greater the luck. A PRECIOUS TIME A time to celebrate the re newal of kinship between fam ilies, large and small ... a time for love and laughter and the warm intimacy of belonging to each other ... for the look of wonder in the eyes of a child . . . . where families rejoice in the spirit of universal love. POPULAR ONE ... Of all the plants associated with the Christ mas season, none is more popu lar than the poinsettia. With proper care, the poinsettia has brightly colored leaves sur rounded by tiny creamy white flowers. may all share its true tranquility. HAMM HARDWARE CO. Prosperity, S. C. PACKED WITH GOOD IvXvXvX;:;.' . . . for everyone at Christmas . . . from the management and employees of MARKET BASKET Newberry’s Super Food Store 1107 Harrington St Newberry, S. C.