Christmas is time for memories of joy, happiness

To the editor:

My husband and I have a wealth of Christmas memories after more than 60 Christmases. Memories are around us. Jewels of Christmas Present are recollections of Christmas Past.

We remember Christmas programs at country churches. I recall shaking in apprehension as time to say my part approached. The part was usually a Scripture verse or a poem joyfully overmemorized. Then Santa visited the church, brining apples an oranges. ("Mama, didn't Santa look like Deacon Smith?")

Our tree was a scrub cedar Dad cut on the hill and lighted with Noma lights from Woolworth's. Christmas dinner was never a turkey. An uncle visited around the end of the year bringing coloring books and a plastic tea set for me, wrapped not in white tissue but in many kind words.

The best memory is our children's faces on Christmas mornings -- and how early Christmas mornings came.

With all this love and with all these precious memories, God must love us. After all, he sent the gift of his son. Considering this, the very least we can do is to cultivate sweet dispositions.

ALICE DEWEESE DAVIS

Mundelein, Ill.