CHEMAWA^AMERIC AN
Printed at Chematva, Oregon, and Devoted to the Interests of Indian Education
VOL. XXXV
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 20, 1933
NO. 6
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CHRISTMAS
Monday is Christmas day and all Christendom will
observe the occasion. The celebration of Christmas
(Christ’s Mass) is much the same throughout our fair
land and in all other countries. There will be many
exchanges of gifts, of good wishes, “Merry Christ -
masses” and so forth throughout the day. There
will also be much feasting (often too much) and func
tions of various kinds, each and every one seeking
that particular “something” which has an appeal for
him, and so the day will pass and leave in its wake
just memories, as all such occasions do—and we are all
better off, for our memories.
But back of it all is the heart and soul of the people
—the urge to make others happy, the great spirit of
“Good will toward men,” the touch of human under
standing and sympathy. Who is there among us who
does not feel the spirit of good cheer, of genuine happi
ness, joy, when on Christmas day he meets his fellows?
It is a day of observation, of remembrance, of an event
dear to all—long
past in its birth but
still ever-present
with us. For weeks
before the eventful
day dawns old and
young are alert and
planning the joy
they are to give
their dear friends—
what better sign of
human heart, of
fellow love can we
find than in the
spirit that prompts
this solicitude?
There is nothing
else like it.
But there is an
other view of the
picture. Is it not
possible that Chris-
mas, the “Christ
mas spirit,” is
commercialized too
extensively? Is it
not often true that
our hearts are larger than our bank accounts? Is it
not true sometimes that Christmas-giving beyond
reason and our means is the cause of deprivation both
before and after the day itself? To give when we can
not afford it is in reality to under-observe the Spirit of
Christmas. It is the Spirit of it!—the joy of remem
brance and observation, the good-will fellowship, that
makes Christmas what it is today, and it is what has
carried us through, lo! these many tribulous centuries.
A kindly greeting, a card, even a thought, is the real
spirit of it all and is what makes Christmas live.
DOINGS AT PRACTICE HOUSE
The present group in the practice house will stay
another week as Evelyn Charles came in late and the
program has not been complete for her.
Cassie Ball leaves today to spend the holidays
with her people at Chiloquin.
The practice house girls entertained their friends at
a Christmas party Friday, Dec. 15. The house was
attractively decor*
ted with holly and
a large Christmas
tree added to the
festive air. Cakes
and ice cream were
served and games
were played.
Miss Strauch will
take a leave of sev
eral days next week
to have some nec
essary dental work
done.
Dorothy Parker
and Mrs. Stiff were
guests for dinner
Wednesday.
Mary lyall is still
at her home in Nis-
qually, Washing
ton.
Evelyn Placid will
spend her Christ
mas vacation with
her people at Bell
ingham, Wash.