Pensacola News Journal from Pensacola, Florida • 64

Pog4D Tlw PrnsactU Journal Mondoy, December 25, 1 973 laiYCiMSIIAS Christmas From Page ID May yours be a hoi-day season filled with surprises and good times smiles and laughter! Hope aB Christmas wishes come true for you! i es the gifts of the Wise Men but more than that recognizes the gift of the baby, Jesus. This was the gift of God's love that we receive but that we also share. Those who extend Cod's love through their lives into the lives of those around them are exercising their faith in the truest Christmas spirit shared. The most effective method of doing so is to share the love of the One whose birth we celebrate. It is perhaps best symbolized not by great sermons but by great service; not from the pulpits but from the streets and the businesses and where the common man finds himself day by day.

The Christmas spirit recogniz I X7 1 GOOD lIEIGHBUK bnur c'X X', mm flying over the Northwest country. He radioed to the tower below that he was giving up on life and was going to crash his plane into the Pacific Ocean. Someone tried to talk him out of it but the attempt failed. Wreckage from the plane was found several hours later. This news item is indicative of the awful feeling of loneliness and depression that grips so much of our world today.

Affluence has failed to fill the inward void in so many lives. People need to be loved, they need to know that someonce cares. Expressions of this love must be made by searching for the "lost sheep" and returning it to the fold. This love must be demonstrated by parents who will put their arms around "prodigal" sons and daughters and love them back into family ties. That was the spirit of Christ Jesus and is the only valid Christmas spirit to which we can relate.

Traditionally, the twelve days following Simr 19 It. ViMWrWrt fnnif A''' 700 West Garden Street 433-0743 OPEN TUES. 9 A.M.-5 PiA. DIAL 432-9811 DIRECT, rAV-- 1 IFamniou Mamaingo Semmi-Ammiinall Sale (D) dPIFIF Christmas have been all time of rejoicing and cele bration. Shakespeare's Phots by Jerry Kovach 'Santa Charlie Knight (left) and wife Ann pack holiday costumes EverytMmg UDecemfoev 2(3-3(0) Veteran Santa Advises: 'Don't Use Ho! Ho! Twelfth Night" was written at the request of Queen Elizabeth for the feast ending this celebration.

The idea of spreading the Christmas spirit out after the holidays is great but it should not be confined to twelve days. The Christmas spirit, which is the spirit of Christ Jesus, is needed 365 days each year. We should celebrate the birth (and life) of our Saviour every day by continuing the work He began while He was here on earth. It is upon this commitment that Christians can rebuild a crumbling society. Christmas must be 2 27NofiJyBlvd.

I 2" Warritiflteo 455-4110 1 I Open ute you arrive until you leave so they can see your reindeer and sleigh. It wouldn't do for them to see me arrive in a Chevrolet Impala. So I park it around the corner and when they ask where my reindeer are, I tell them they're circling the block, waiting for me to finish. Don't make the mistake of the novice Santa and tell them they're in the yard because just as sure as you do, they'll run outside to see." Once in a while, a parent sits a child in Santa's lap who doesnt want to have anything to do with this guy with the white whiskers. Even lollipops don't pacify them.

It's frightening for the child and for Santa, he says. Temper tantrums are not a part of Santa's demeanor once he's in that suit, he's into the spirit of the whole thing. But he gets mighty irritated at the children who pull the you're-not-really-Santa routine and try to spoil the fun for the younger ones. "Santa pulls them aside and gives them the word he's going to snatch a knot in their heads if they don't behave," he says with a twinkle in his eye. "You can't be Santa Claus without getting into the spirit of the whole thing.

A grouch should never play Santa anyway. There's a character for him. It's called Scrooge." By SUZANNE PARKHURST Journal Staff writer So you think just because you rented a fat, red suit and can lower your voice one octave to imitate Santa's cheerful Ho! Ho! Ho!" you can be a success as the most famous elder statesman. Portraying the jolly, old elf is more than just donning a costume, passing out candy canes and laughing and shaking like a bowl full of jelly. In fact, "Ho! Ho! Ho!" should never be a part of your vocabulary, explains one veteran Santa, immortalized in the pensacola territory as the greatest gift giver this side tif the North Pole.

It frightens the heck out of the little ones. It's all a matter of understanding child psychology, ays Santa alias Charlie Knight who's grown wiser with experience over the past 20 years. "The kids are as smart as they can be, and they have a lot to cay to Santa, not only what they want for Christmas Jmt also what's happening around the house at that time." Today, Knight and his wife, Ann, who served as his diminutive elf when she got tired of waiting for him in the car, are calling their Christmas act quits. When today is finished, their costumes are destined for the mothballs. '4 After 20 years of having his beard yanked by the practical jokers, the 49-year-old businessman admits the white whiskers are "getting kind of seedy anyway." But the father of seven children promises only a temporary retirement He'll break out the old suit again once he, his wife and their friends become members of the grandchildren set In the meantime, he has a few words of advice for those thinking of filling his big boots: Don't get involved with children between the ages of 6 and 10.

They'll tear you apart. "Santa has had children snatch his spectacles and pull his beard and it's a big turn around to get my nose back in position," he says. Never promise anything, except perhaps switches. And dont get too personal. When it comes to remembering their names, you have to bluff right through: They expect you to know everything, including what they wrote in their letters.

The most delightful children are the 2- to 5-year-olds, who cant believe what's happening to them, he says. Even the best among this potty-trained set get Qxcited occasionally and leave Santa with a wet lap. "Don't forget to maintain Santa's image," he advises. "The children are watching you from the min- CATHERINE'S I CORDOVA MALL 1 9TH AT BAYOU BLVD. lv Greatest SALE and more! HS Coats Coordinates Sieepwear Sweaters 0 Trousers Loungewear OPantsuits 0 Jeans Lingerie DRESSES and PANTSUITS iBoMiiiiMiMiMwwiMiinnanamit -bht A very Merry orig.

$17 to $64 special sizes 1612 to 32 and 18 to 60 SWEATERS JACKETS COATS ROBES HOUDAY DRESSES hristmas to All reg.M9 etep right this to the happiest holidays ever! We -j do appreciate your 11" reg.J13 reg.J25tf26 kind support. reg.39 (P199 11 (ol99 It STOKE HOURS: PJA.JQMSAT. I U6J Let's celebrate this Christinas season with sincere wishes for a simply wonderful holiday. To all our friends and neighbors go many thanks for your continued patronage and goodwill. IS" entire stock not included other prices proportionately reduced Danleys (iirriagc House 1 10 New Worr.

Rd. 9-6 Ml IMVMtCMwWtOiVfi I IllTaUT SHDPPI rHWIWAT 477-1383 SHOP t0 TO 5:30 DAItY, RtlDAY 7H 8:30 P.M..